Jan O'Sullivan
Question:38 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will make a statement on the outcome of his recent visit to the western Balkans. [14759/03]
Written Answers. - Official Engagements.
I visited Serbia and Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia from 12 to 16 May, as part of the preparations for Ireland's EU Presidency in 2004, during which the situation in the western Balkans will remain an important foreign policy priority for the European Union. In addition to discussing the development of the leading role the European Union is playing in the promotion of stability, democratic reform and economic progress in the western Balkans, I examined with all of the political leaders I met the areas in which we might develop closer bilateral relations. These could include the development of trade and tourism links between Ireland and the countries of the region, and appropriate assistance which Ireland might offer to the process of economic and administrative reform.
In each of the cities I visited, I also met with Irish people working with international organisations and NGOs throughout the region. I would like to pay tribute to the contribution they are making, in often very difficult circumstances, to the work of building peace, stability, economic development and respect for human rights in the western Balkans. I visited the Irish Army contingent serving with the KFOR peace-keeping force in Kosovo, and was deeply impressed by their professionalism and their dedication. Their work is appreciated by the people of Kosovo, and I know that the House will join with me in expressing our pride in their contribution, which is in the highest traditions of the Defence Forces.
In Serbia and Montenegro, I had meetings with Federal President Svetozar Marovic and Foreign Minister Svilanovic, and with newly-elected President Vujanovic of Montenegro and Prime Minister Djukanovic. In Sarajevo, I met with the three members of the collective Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina, with Foreign Minister Ivanic and with the High Representative of the international community in Bosnia, Lord Ashdown, and the EU Monitoring Mission. In Pristina, I had meetings with the Special Representative of the Secretary General, and head of the UN Mission in Kosovo, Michael Steiner, with President Rugova and Prime Minister Rexhepi and with Kosovo Serb representative Milorad Todorovic. In Skopje, I met with President Trajkovski, Prime Minister Crvenkovski and Foreign Minister Ilinka Mitreva, as well as with the leading representative of the Albanian community in the coalition Government, Musa Xhaferi, and with the EU Special Representative in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia.
Following more than a decade of conflict in the region, considerable progress has been made in recent years in the establishment of political stability. All of the countries of the region now have democratic Governments committed to reform and to the development of closer relations with the European Union. Inevitably given the recent history of the western Balkans, progress in the wide-ranging institutional, political and economic reform processes is somewhat uneven. However, all of the political leaders I met emphasised the importance they attach to the EU role in the region, which will be confirmed and clarified at the EU-western Balkans summit, to be held in Thessaloniki on 21 June, the day after the European Council.
The European Union has taken the lead role in promoting stability, economic development and respect for human rights and the rule of law in the western Balkans, primarily through the Stabilisation and Association Process. The Thessaloniki summit will confirm the framework for the future development of relations with the countries of the region. It should issue a clear political message to the people of the region that their future lies in eventual integration into European structures, on the basis of clear and objective political and economic criteria to be met by the Governments of the individual countries concerned. Ireland will play its part in the development of this relationship, especially during our EU Presidency. I have emphasised to all the Governments of the region that we have no selfish political or economic interests to pursue in the region, but that we will attach great importance to the efficient management of all aspects of this foreign policy dossier during our Presidency.
It is clear that the stability of the western Balkans is important not only for the people of the region itself, but also for the overall stability of the European continent. I would hope that we can play our part in working with the Governments of the region in the implementation of political and economic reforms, in the fight against organised crime, in establishing respect for human rights and the rule of law and in encouraging full co-operation by all parties with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia. The political leaders of the region who are committed to reform have high expectations of the European Union, as have the people of the region, especially the young, who are particularly concerned at the high rates of unemployment throughout the western Balkans. Following the Thessaloniki Summit, I expect that the long-term commitment of the European Union to the development of the western Balkans will be clearly stated, as will the obligations on the Governments of the region if they are to meet the hopes and expectations of their people.