Bernard J. Durkan
Ceist:100 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position adopted by Ireland in respect of the Balkan states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9179/99]
Written Answers. - Balkan States.
The Balkan states, other than Greece which is an EU partner, and Bulgaria which is an applicant for membership of the Union, are Albania and those of former Yugoslavia, namely, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, FYROM and Slovenia.
Ireland has diplomatic relations with each of these states. In the case of Greece the ambassador is accredited on a residential basis in Athens; in the case of all the others the respective ambassador is accredited on a non-residential basis. The purpose is to develop relations with each in so far as this is possible, but varying conditions in each, including the attitude of their respective Governments to regional and international issues, affects the nature, depth and prospects for further development of each relationship.
With regard to Albania and the states which emerged from former Yugoslavia, Ireland in addition joins with its EU partners in the framework of CFSP, in dealing with them. In this context Slovenia is in a separate category as it is an applicant country for EU membership. All of the other countries are dealt with by the EU under its regional approach and political conditionality. The texts which govern this policy were approved by the General Affairs Council of 29 April 1997.
The purpose and goal of this policy is to assist each country in carrying out their stated aspirations for closer relations with the Union – all have expressed the wish for eventual EU membership – and the policy is designed to spell out in each case the Union's expectations of performance in such areas as democratization, observance of human rights, treatment of minorities, fulfilment of international obligations and undertakings, development of market economies and similarly related subjects, which would bring them closer to the behaviour and practice of the Union and its member states.
Under a mechanism of twice-yearly reviews, progress is evaluated and when found to be satisfactory, the Union's relationship with the country in question can be improved and reflected through a formal arrangement. In the case of a reversal in standards or behaviour, measures granted may be withdrawn and the relationship downgraded.
The stages of relationship under this policy are: granting of autonomous trade measures, PHARE funding, co-operation agreement, association agreement, application for membership and finally membership itself.
The regional approach and political conditionality takes fully into account the difficult recent history of the region and that fact that relations between two or more of the countries in question may be difficult. While the policy encourages each country to improve its relations with the other countries in question, it has been made clear to each that performance will be judged individually and none will be penalised or held hostage by the refusal of another country to co-operate in such bilateral improvements.