Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 February 2014
22. Deputy Maureen O'Sullivan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make representations at EU level to oblige the EU to exert more vigorous pressure on Bosnia's politicians to ensure the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina is respected and insisting that politicians work together to overcome current obstacles to EU integration and obliging them to protect all citizens and their human rights. [8048/14]
View answerThe European Union has made clear its unequivocal support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU perspective as a sovereign and united country enjoying full territorial integrity. The EU has set out what is required in order for the country to take the next steps to advance on its path towards EU membership.
The Minister for European Affairs, Pascal Donohoe, visited Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of January to express Ireland’s strong support for the country and for its efforts to become a member of the Union. During his visit, the Minister encouraged the leaders there to work together to reach agreement on key issues in the interests of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Minister made clear that the solutions to these issues must come from within Bosnia and Herzegovina itself. The EU cannot impose remedies from outside. This is a position that the Minister found to be well understood by his interlocutors in Sarajevo. They look, however, to the EU and international community for support. The Minister assured them that Ireland and the EU would continue to provide this support and will continue to follow developments closely.
Indeed, at the last EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 10 February, we discussed the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in light of the significant public demonstrations there in the days leading up to the Council. The EU’s High Representative, Cathy Ashton, and Commissioner for Enlargement, Stefan Fule, are travelling to Bosnia and Herzegovina this week to further encourage the country’s leaders to work together to address the public’s concerns about the future of the country and to take steps to meet the aspirations of the people.
I expect that we will return to the issue of Bosnia and Herzegovina at a future Foreign Affairs Council.
