Definition: In this task, you're given a statement and three sentences as choices. Your job is to determine the neutral choice based on your inference from the statement and your commonsense knowledge. The neutral choice is a sentence that neither agrees nor disagrees with the statement. Indicate your answer as '1', '2', or '3', corresponding to the choice number of the selected sentence. If sentence X agrees with sentence Y, one's correctness follows from the other one. If sentence X disagrees with sentence Y, they can not be correct at the same time.
Input: Statement: However, Ireland has always looked to Europe for friendship and support, and gradually it began to define itself as a European nation. Choices: 1. Ireland always looked to Europe for support, but was forced to join them as a nation. 2. Ireland kept themselves distinctly separate from Europe. 3. Ireland always looked to Europe for friendship and support and gradually became part of Europe.

1