Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2021
390. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which, through the EU, he continues to focus on the western Balkans, with particular reference to the focus on European membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4185/21]
View answerIreland recognises the value of EU accession as a transformative driver for stability and peace in the Western Balkans. We have always been, and will remain, a strong supporter of enlargement of the European Union, provided that candidate countries met the necessary conditions for membership. In this regard, we welcome the reform agenda underway in the countries of the Western Balkans and the progress that has been made in the areas of security and rule of law.
The European Commission published its Annual Enlargement Package and country reports in October 2020. In terms of the progress of individual Western Balkan countries, Serbia and Montenegro are both currently negotiating Chapters of the Acquis with the EU. Serbia has opened negotiations on 18 Chapters, with two provisionally closed. Montenegro has opened all Chapters and provisionally closed three. The country reports for 2020 assessed both Serbia and Montenegro as having both made limited progress. Serbia needs to accelerate its reforms and make significant progress in the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, while Montenegro must address shortcomings in the areas of media freedom, fight against corruption and trafficking, and turn its attention to the closing of Chapters.
Regarding North Macedonia and Albania, it was agreed by the European Council in March 2020 to open negotiations with both countries. It was regrettable that Member States were unable to reach agreement on the draft negotiating frameworks for both countries at the November 2020 General Affairs Council. Ireland believes the draft negotiating frameworks should be agreed at the earliest available opportunity and that bilateral issues should not form part of the accession process. North Macedonia has made excellent progress and should be able to begin its accession process right away with an Inter-Governmental Conference.
Bosnia-Herzegovina has made limited progress over the last year and faces significant challenges to ensure implementation of the Commission’s 2019 recommendations in the areas of democracy, rule of law, fundamental rights, and public administration reform. These are not insignificant, when added to the ongoing migration issues facing the country, which require greater political cohesion. Progress in these areas must be seen before the opening of accession negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina can be considered.
Kosovo is a potential candidate for Membership of the EU. The Commission’s report on Kosovo in 2020 noted that the political situation in Kosovo remains challenging. This is compounded by recent rulings of the Constitutional Court calling into question the legitimacy of the current government and thereby necessitating snap elections on 14 February 2021. Rule of law, judicial reform, public administration reform, organised crime and normalisation of the relationship with Serbia are just some of the areas that must be comprehensively addressed in order for Kosovo to advance on its European path. It will be some time before Kosovo can qualify as a candidate country.
Ireland will continue to actively support the enlargement process and accession negotiations to the EU.
