On 1 July, Ireland took over the presidency of the Council of the European Union for the eighth time, at a moment when the Union faces several challenges - from the war in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East, through to issues of global competitiveness, and the enlargement process to the Western Balkans.
For Dublin, which transformed from one of the poorest member states into a prime example of successful European integration, this presidency represents an opportunity to share the experience of its own journey into the Union with countries currently on that same path.
What this role means for a small country with vast experience in European integration, Dublin’s stance on continental security and EU enlargement to the Western Balkans, as well as the message Ireland is sending to Serbia, were all topics the Ambassador of Ireland to Serbia, Kevin Colgan, discussed with EUpravo Zato.
"As you said, this is the eighth time Ireland has held the presidency of the Council of the European Union, and it is a great honour for us. For a small country like ours, it is a massive privilege to be given the opportunity to chair the European Union. In this role, Ireland acts as an impartial broker, facilitator, and coordinator, bringing people together to reach agreements on key issues.
During our presidency, we will have three main priorities.
The first is enhancing Europe's competitiveness. Europe operates in a highly demanding international economic environment today and must be ready to compete. We need European companies that can invest, innovate, and create new jobs for European citizens.
The second priority concerns values. We know that the European Union was built on fundamental values - the rule of law, support for democracy, and other principles. It is precisely these values that have made the European Union the most successful peace project in the world. That is why values are the cornerstone of this presidency.
The third priority is security. We all know we live in a world that is no longer as safe as it once was. Therefore, we believe Europe must act as one and take coordinated action in the field of security."
Russian aggression against Ukraine and instability in the Middle East have placed security high on the European Union's agenda. How does Ireland approach matters of European defence and security?
"We live in a world that is no longer safe. We have seen a brutal invasion of Ukraine. We have a crisis in the Middle East. We are also facing new hybrid and cyber threats.
It is vital that we take a joint approach to all these challenges. The world no longer functions the way it used to. Because of this, Europe must unite, and member states must support one another. One of Ireland's tasks during the presidency will be to ensure that Europe and its security systems are prepared, resilient, and capable of protecting themselves."
European Union enlargement
In the Western Balkans, enlargement is one of the main topics, and a new momentum has been felt in recent months. The EU-Western Balkans Summit was held in Tivat, and European capitals are increasingly speaking about the need for the enlargement process to be given a more concrete timeframe.
Brussels is also debating ideas regarding the phased integration of candidate countries into specific segments of the European market and policies, even before they achieve full membership. The Irish presidency has clearly outlined its ambition to pave the way for the admission of new member states.
Is this a realistic goal within a six-month timeframe? And what concrete steps does Ireland plan to take to bring this goal closer to reality?
"Ireland is probably one of the best examples of the benefits that European Union enlargement brings. We joined the European Union in 1973 and have undergone a massive transformation since then. We went from being one of the poorest member states to one of the most developed and wealthiest countries in the European Union.
We want the citizens of all candidate countries to experience the same benefits. Therefore, we will continue to support a merit-based process. Countries that meet the set criteria and reach the required benchmarks should be rewarded with progress in the accession process.
Our goal is to keep the issue of enlargement high on the European Union's agenda, despite numerous other challenges. At the same time, we will explain to the citizens of Ireland, the European Union, and candidate countries what the concrete benefits of EU membership actually are."
When talking about the accession process, a phased approach is mentioned more and more frequently. What is your position on this?
"Ireland believes in full membership for all candidate countries. We have seen the benefits that membership has brought to our citizens. We know that citizens of candidate countries will enjoy the same benefits. We believe that any initiative that can speed up the realization of those benefits is welcome. However, the ultimate goal must remain full membership of the European Union."
Is there a specific strategy for the Western Balkans, and for Serbia in particular?
"Ireland understands very well how important the Western Balkans is for Europe, but also how important Europe is for the Western Balkans. We have opened two new embassies in the region - here in Belgrade and in Sarajevo. This shows how important this region is to us.
We want the countries of the Western Balkans to become members of the European Union. We believe that the European Union is one of the greatest peace projects in history and that it will contribute to lasting peace and security in this region."
In your opinion, what are the biggest obstacles today that Serbia needs to overcome on its path to European Union membership?
"I think this is quite clearly stated in the European Commission's progress reports on Serbia. These are issues that recur year after year: the rule of law, media freedom, the strengthening of democratic processes, and more robust institutions.
In its technical assessment, the European Union concluded that Serbia is ready to open Cluster 3. Ireland has previously supported that assessment. We want countries that implement the necessary reforms and meet the criteria to be recognized and allowed to move forward in the accession process."
(EUpravo zato)