Vol. 526 No. 6
114 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if his attention has been drawn to the wish expressed by President Kostunica of Yugoslavia during a recent visit to the European Parliament that Yugoslavia should join the EU; if Ireland will support any application by Yugoslavia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27495/00]
Ireland welcomes President Kostunica's acknowledgement of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia's European vocation. Already, significant progress has been made in integrating the newly democratic FRY into the international community through such organisations as the United Nations, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe and the Council of Europe. The Zagreb Summit last week of EU and Balkan states recognised, in the context both of the democratic changes taking place in the countries of the region, and also the improving relations among them, that the way was open to all to move closer to the European Union as part of the stabilisation and association process.
In the case of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, the prospect of a stabilisation and association agreement has been opened up following the invitation issued by the General Affairs Council on 9 October last. An EU-FRY consultative task force will be established and the Commission will work on a feasibility study with a view to formulating a negotiating mandate for a stabilisation and association agreement. Ireland fully endorsed these decisions. While it will be some time before the FRY is ready for EU membership the perspective is there and we will be fully supportive of the efforts of President Kostunica to achieve that objective.
Question No. 115 taken with Question No. 83.
