Ivor Callely
Question:100 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the assessment of the EU peacekeeping and peace enforcement role and effectiveness in the Balkans in recent years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9244/00]
Written Answers. - Peacekeeping Missions.
While the EU is not directly engaged in peacekeeping operations in the Balkans, it plays a major role in the promotion of stability and democratic values in the western Balkans region.
The most important peacekeeping missions in the Balkans are KFOR in Kosovo and SFOR in Bosnia and Herzegovina, both of which are UN-mandated and NATO-led. Following approval by this House, Irish troops are participating in both missions. EU member states, including Ireland, are contributing a total of some 30,000 troops to KFOR. Both KFOR and SFOR are making vital contributions to peace and stability in the region.
In response to requests from the EU, and in accordance with the Treaty of Amsterdam, the Western European Union has undertaken tasks in the Balkans. These tasks include a police training mission in Albania, MAPE, and a demining assistance programme in Croatia, Western European UnionDAM, both of which are making valuable contributions to peace-building in the region.
As I stated in my answer to Question No. 42 on 16 February last the Stability Pact, which is a major initiative affecting the whole region, is an EU initiative representing the collective effort of the G8 countries, the countries of the region and key international organisations at addressing the challenges of south eastern Europe in a co-ordinated and strategic manner. The EU Stabilisation and Association Agreements, currently being negotiated with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and probably with Croatia have a key role to play in this regard.
The EC Monitoring Mission, ECMM, monitors political and security developments in the countries of the region, giving particular attention to border monitoring, inter ethnic issues and refugee return. It is an essential tool in the formulation of EU policy in the region. Ireland has participated in the ECMM since its establishment.