Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to contribute once again on the subject of the association agreements with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. The tensions and conflicts in the region to which the Minister of State refers cannot be glossed over, despite the positive impact on relations - both trade and political - that will result from these agreements between the European Union and the three countries involved.

The European Union has served as a shining example of how increased co-operation in the area of trade can result in a consolidated and lasting peace between neighbours. Internally, membership of the European Union has resulted in a previously unknown peace between neighbours who would have viewed each other as enemies. Externally, these association agreements allow a pathway to increase trade, consolidate peace, enhance the rule of law and improve bilateral relations outside our borders. These positive elements can only be celebrated. However, we must sound a note of caution. Unfettered enthusiasm for continually increasing the EU's sphere of influence on our borders must not undermine those with whom we seek to do business. We must be careful in our endeavours and prudent in our approach to these agreements. We must ensure that the interests of the European Union's citizens and those of the people with whom we are seeking these agreements are protected.

I have no doubt that this agreement will benefit the people of the Ukraine but I question whether things could have been handled in a more prudent manner. The current conflict in eastern Ukraine must be of grave concern to the international community. Obviously, the EU is not the aggressor here. It is for others to defend their positions with regard to the horrific conflict we are currently witnessing. Nonetheless, there is a responsibility on the EU and its institutions to ensure peace and stability and element of buy-in on the part of the people. These aspects must come into consideration at all times in the development of agreements of this nature.

With regard to what occurred after the signing of the association agreement with Ukraine, let me be clear on our position. Fianna Fáil believes the result of the referendum regarding Crimea becoming a part of the Russian Federation was illegitimate and has far-reaching consequences for the concepts of national territory and sovereignty in Europe. The latter must be a matter of concern to us all. We welcomed the European Council's strong condemnation of the annexation of Crimea and Sevastopol to the Russian Federation and support the decision not to recognise the annexation. We also support the European Council decisions to extend the visa ban and asset freeze on senior members of the Russian Government and the sanctions that were subsequently imposed. We support the wish of the strong majority of Ukrainian people to be part of the European democratic mainstream. What we will not support - we strongly urge caution in this regard - is Europe pushing too hard and too fast with an association agreement which causes a fracture in a neighbouring country. I am sure the EU would acknowledge that its strategy in this regard could have been more prudent and careful and that matters could have been handled better. The fact that the Union - in the aftermath of a meeting between it, Russia and Ukraine - has agreed to postpone the free trade aspect of the agreement with Ukraine until January 2016 is an acknowledgement of this. In any event, lessons must be learned from this experience by those at the highest level of the EU's political leadership.

Sadly, and from what we know, a significant number of lives have been lost in eastern Ukraine. Much of what is happening in that part of the world is not being reported in full. As indicated at the meeting of the select committee, my party and I will be voting in favour of these agreements. I am of the view - my party leader reiterated this earlier - that the frameworks which have been outlined will result in an increased peace and improved living standards for the people of Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine and the citizens of the European Union.

I was surprised when the new High Representative requested a discussion in respect of lifting the sanctions that have been imposed on Russia. I am glad the initiative she seemed to be about to undertake in this regard was not progressed in any way. When we had the opportunity to meet the new High Representative, I thought she was going to take a very positive, prudent and careful approach in terms of ensuring that the EU will enjoy improved relations with the countries to the east of its borders. There are so many potential benefits for all in the context of concluding agreements such as those under discussion. However, we must do our homework on them well in advance and we must adopt a prudent and careful approach. As citizens of the European Union, we must also ensure that we try to secure and safeguard the basic civil and human rights of those who are currently denied them.

See this speech in context