Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy can describe these events however he likes but they did not give rise to a fully transparent market. Much of the asset privatisation which took place following the fall of the Soviet empire was unacceptable. The process gave rise to some difficult questions.

Fundamentally, the EU's engagement with our eastern partners is informed by a genuine commitment to human rights, systems of governance and the development of democratic parliamentary systems. That will continue to be the case as we seek to act as a force for good. We must be mindful of history, however. Recent events in Georgia, South Ossetia and Abkhazia reveal the complexity inherent in ethnic minorities within geographical boundaries and suggest that, while boundaries are important, perhaps the critical issue is how minorities are treated by particular jurisdictions in terms of parity of esteem and genuine respect. Failure to act appropriately in that regard will ultimately result in crises.

I met recently with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, Mr. Sergey Lavrov, who outlined one version of the historical narrative of South Ossetia, Abkhazia and Georgia, and I recognise the existence of alternative narratives. It is clear from the map, however, that the situation in terms of ethnic minorities is complex.

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