Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 11 Dec 2003

Vol. 577 No. 1

Written Answers. - International Agreements.

David Stanton

Question:

70 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the actions he will take during Ireland's Presidency of the EU to carry forward the objectives established at the Thessaloniki Summit on 21 June 2003 that relate to the western Balkans. [30400/03]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The EU-western Balkans summit in Thessaloniki on 21 June 2003 confirmed that the future of the countries of the region lies in their integration into EU structures. In my contacts with representatives from the region I have assured them that, during our Presidency, Ireland will maintain the priority attached by the EU to relations with the western Balkans and that we will build on the progress achieved this year, during the Greek and Italian Presidencies. The Government will work to ensure the full implementation of commitments made in the shared EU-western Balkans Thessaloniki agenda.

Several important initiatives agreed at Thessaloniki will be implemented during the Irish Presidency. Perhaps most significantly, following their approval by Council, European partnerships will be presented to each of the countries of the region. These partnerships will be analogous to the accession partnerships in the current enlargement and will identify priorities for action by each country in the reform process, towards the goal of EU integration. The partnerships and the action plans drawn up by each country will be a clear signal to the people of the western Balkans of the developing relationship with the European Union.

Other issues on which I look forward to progress during our Presidency include the extension of twinning programmes and EU technical assistance to all the countries of the region, a study on the establishment of a regional school of public administration, the signing of a memorandum of understanding on regional transport infrastructure and possible moves towards the creation of a free trade area for the region. The Government will work in close co-operation with the Commission and partners to ensure that progress is made on these areas identified by the Thessaloniki summit.

Following the first annual meeting of EU and western Balkans foreign ministers in Brussels on 9 December, I look forward to continuing the process of political dialogue with the region during Ireland's Presidency. EU ministerial troika meetings have been scheduled with Serbia and Montenegro, Croatia and Albania. In addition, I hope that practical economic and political dialogue will continue at all levels with the countries of the region.

The first six months of 2004 will be a challenging period for the overall policy framework for the EU's relations with the western Balkans. Ireland, as President, is committed to playing its part in furthering stability and democracy in the western Balkans and in promoting the economic development of the countries of the region within the framework agreed at Thessaloniki.