Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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I thank Mr. Laják. His presentation was not only comprehensive but very interesting. We expected some of it. It is fair to say, and this is a point that many of us have made many times, that prior to the Ukrainian crisis and the Russian invasion the EU was not particularly serious about further accession. Let us be clear, the EU had its own worries regarding rule-of-law issues, particularly in Hungary. As we saw in commentary even up until recent times, especially from France, there was an element of getting our own house in order before anyone else is let in. Geopolitics has now completely changed. Mr. Laják made the biggest point: people have to be offered a European future or they will have no choice but to find something else. While I share the Chair's worries regarding some interim solution that becomes long term, I understand, because it has been said by many previously regarding accession, that there needs to be an element of the EU not only providing people with a route map but meeting them along the road. That means that success has to be fostered and developed.

Let us be clear, however, that the Copenhagen criteria are there. We are in a better place in the sense that at least there is now a real conversation about accession. I imagine people in North Macedonia are incredibly annoyed. I have a certain element of sensitivity in that regard, as they want to be considered as almost being on their own due to the huge strides they have made, and believe they have been treated unfairly. That is something that has to be taken into account.

We all know the history of the Balkans. It is part of the reason this European future is necessary from a stability point of view. There are game players who are playing games. We hear of Russian involvement and stories out of Kosovo about boycotts of Serbian-Kosovar politicians. There have been border disputes. Three Kosovan police officers were arrested for a period in what were obviously contested circumstances and have been released. None of this is particularly good. Laws have been passed recently in Republika Srpska that basically reject the constitutional court. This is almost a row-back from the peace deals that got us through the wars of the 1990s. All this has to be taken into account.

While people have to be provided with a route map and a means of a European future, we need to ensure we foster relationships with those who, for want of a better term, want to do the right thing. We have to address some of these issues. I would like Mr. Laják's opinions on what the involvement is from outside players. We hear about Chinese investment and, as I said, particularly Russian involvement, and we know about Russia's long-term relationship with many countries across the Balkans.