Bernard J. Durkan
Question:129 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which the situation in the Balkans has stabilised; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14787/04]
View answerWednesday, 19 May 2004
Questions (131)
Written answers
The EU has taken the lead role in working with the countries of the western Balkans to consolidate peace and stability in the region, and to promote economic development and respect for human rights and the rule of law. During Ireland's Presidency, the Government has maintained the priority attached by the EU to the development of relations with the countries of the western Balkans. The situation in the region is reviewed every month by the General Affairs and External Relations Council. At the Council meeting which I chaired last Monday, 17 May, we considered recent developments in the region, especially the situation in Kosovo.
The situation in Kosovo has stabilised since the outbreak of ethnic violence in March. The priorities now are to ensure security, to facilitate the return of displaced persons and the reconstruction of property, and to bring those responsible for the violence to justice. The Council called on Kosovo's political leaders to demonstrate in an unambiguous manner their commitment to a multi-ethnic Kosovo and to the security and rights of members of all communities. The EU remains fully committed to the UN-led policy of standards before status, and is working closely with the United Nations and with the US and Russia and the wider international community to ensure that the international presence in Kosovo can promote real progress in the implementation of standards in the period ahead.
The overall framework for relations with the countries of the region was confirmed by the EU-Western Balkans Summit, which was held in Thessaloniki last June. The summit confirmed that the future of the region lies in its eventual integration into European structures. The achievement of this aim will involve the fulfilment of clear and objective political and economic criteria by the democratically-elected Governments of the countries of the region, under the EU's stabilisation and association process. As Presidency, Ireland set the objective that the commitments made in the Thessaloniki Agenda, which was agreed at last year's summit, would be fully implemented on the EU side. At the Council on 17 May, Ministers completed the third annual review of progress by countries of the Western Balkans in the stabilisation and Association process. Progress remains uneven, but it is clear that the region generally is moving steadily away from instability and violence towards the consolidation of democratic politics.
I look forward to approval by the Council before the end of May of European partnerships for each of the countries of the western Balkans, which will outline the specific progress required for further movement in the integration process. The partnerships are based in large part on the experience gained in the current enlargement process, and their completion represents delivery by the EU on an important element of the Thessaloniki commitments.
The December 2003 European Council requested the incoming Irish Presidency and High Representative Solana, in co-ordination with the Commission, to present concrete proposals for the implementation of the European Security Strategy in a number of areas, including the elaboration of a comprehensive policy towards Bosnia and Herzegovina. Work on the comprehensive approach is going well and I expect that it will be considered by the General Affairs and External Relations Council in June, with a view to adoption by the June European Council. As Presidency, Ireland is also facilitating practical steps for the possible transition from the NATO-led SFOR peacekeeping force in Bosnia to an EU-led force. The EU police mission has made good progress in co-operation with the Bosnian authorities since it was launched in January 2003. The General Affairs and External Relations Council on 23 February 2004 appointed Assistant Garda Commissioner Kevin Carty as head of the police mission.
Croatia formally applied for membership of the European Union in February last year. The Commission Opinion on Croatia's application for membership, which was presented on 20 April, concluded that Croatia meets the Copenhagen political criteria and the conditions under the stabilisation and association process. The Commission recommended that negotiations for accession to the European Union should be opened with Croatia. The General Affairs and External Relations Council will consider the Commission opinion at its meeting on 14 June, with a view to a clear decision by the June European Council.
The Council on 17 May formally requested the Commission to prepare its opinion on the application for EU membership by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. The Macedonian Prime Minister, Mr. Branko Crvenkovski, presented his country's application to the Taoiseach in Dublin on 22 March. Prime Minister Crvenkovski was elected President on 28 April, filling the vacancy caused by the tragic death of President Boris Trajkovski.
The unstable political situation in Serbia and Montenegro over the past year has regrettably resulted in a slowdown of the reform process in the country. A new Government was formed in Serbia in March under Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica. It has indicated its clear commitment to the implementation of the wide-ranging reforms required for the development of closer relations with the EU, including improved co-operation with the war crimes tribunal in the Hague. Progress in these areas, and on the harmonisation of the economies of Serbia and of Montenegro, would facilitate the completion of the Commission's feasibility study on a possible stabilisation and association agreement with the state union. Presidential elections will be held in Serbia on 13 June.
Negotiations on a stabilisation and association agreement with Albania are continuing. Progress has been relatively slow and further significant progress is needed in the implementation of reforms to enable the conclusion of the negotiations. I recognise the strong desire on the part of the Government of Albania to make progress in implementing the necessary reforms, and I hope that an agreement can be reached over the coming year.