Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

The EU is trying to facilitate talks between the parties concerned to see if this matter can be resolved to everyone's satisfaction peaceably and in line with international norms. The only point I would make to the Deputy is that a country having a dim view of another country applying for membership of an international organisation, to which it does not or has no intention of subscribing, does not justify the action that was subsequently taken in terms of the territorial integrity of that country being compromised. Large countries are not entitled to determine spheres of influence around which other independent countries must behave to a certain norm that is suitable to the large country. It must be based on mutual respect.

Independent countries are entitled to pursue their own foreign policy objectives as they see fit once they do so peaceably and within the norms of international law. It may not help the relationship between two countries in that respect that one country is pursuing one particular security path with which the other does not agree, but it does not entitle the more powerful country to decide to interfere in the internal politics of the smaller country.

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