Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour)
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I thank Dr. Visoka for attending in person and for his paper. He was in attendance for the previous discussion and we are now covering much of the same ground. I am intrigued and I am trying to get to the heart of this issue. Both witnesses have said we must have a swift process of enlargement and allow the western Balkan countries to be members of the European Union or there will be dire consequences. At the same time, both stated that these countries are not ready and do not meet the criteria. That is a dilemma. I am interested in teasing that issue out a little. I will focus, in particular, on a country of great concern to all of us, namely, Serbia. Last year, I attended a plenary session of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, IPU, in Kigali at which there was an intense debate on the invasion of Ukraine. Ireland, together with all like-minded countries of the EU and other western-minded countries, strongly supported the resolution. Serbia, which is part of our group, abstained. I engaged with the Serbian delegates and they felt that, politically, they could not take that step. I would be interested in hearing a little more of Dr. Visoka’s view of where Serbia is now. President Vui has a very strong mandate, having secured 55% of the first preference vote in the most recent presidential election. He started out as Eurosceptic nationalist and hardline right-winger and has apparently migrated on a route towards being pro-European. That is the official and clear line. What is the reality with respect to both the government and popular opinion in Serbia in Dr. Visoka’s view?

Dr. Visoka made a very useful statement which we can take note of. There is a role for Ireland to be more active in supporting the western Balkans because we have long experience of the European Union and its functioning and a very good administration. It would be very useful to establish a formal assistance and support system for applicant countries.