Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 31 March 2004
51 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he and his EU colleagues have reviewed the situation in the Balkans with particular reference to recent developments there; if he has satisfied himself that adequate resources are available to meet all possible eventualities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10050/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra99 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the nature of the continued work of Ireland’s EU Presidency with the western Balkans; his views on the steps towards EU membership being taken by Croatia; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10017/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra134 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his EU colleagues can prevent further outbreaks of violence in the Balkans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10287/04]
Amharc ar fhreagra142 Mr. Durkan asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he, through the EU, can prevent human rights violations in the Balkans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [10296/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 51, 99, 134, and 142 together.
During Ireland's Presidency, the Government is committed to maintaining 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. The most recent meeting of the Council, which was chaired by me on 22 March, and the European Council in Brussels on 25-26 March considered recent developments in the region, especially the situation in Kosovo and the political situation in Serbia and Montenegro. 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. EU assistance to the region in support of these objectives will amount to €4.65 billion over the period 2000 to 2006.
The EU-Western Balkans Summit, which was held in Thessaloniki last June, confirmed that the future of the region lies in its eventual integration into European structures. The achievement of this objective 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 will ensure that the commitments made in the Thessaloniki agenda, which was agreed at the summit, will be fully implemented on the EU side. This will include the agreement by the Council on European partnerships for each of the countries of the western Balkans, outlining the specific progress required for further movement in the integration process.
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. 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 the application is expected in the near future. The opinion will be based on an assessment of Croatia's progress towards fulfilment of the Copenhagen political criteria for candidate states. Issues of particular importance in Croatia's case will include progress in wide-ranging institutional reforms, minority rights and the implementation of measures to enable the return of refugees who had to leave their homes during the conflicts of the 1990s. The assessment of Croatia's co-operation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia will be crucial. If the Commission opinion is positive, Ireland as Presidency will facilitate its consideration by member states with a view to a possible decision on candidate status by the June European Council.
The Prime Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Mr. Branko Crvenkovski, presented his country's application for EU membership to the Taoiseach in Dublin on 22 March. The next step will be for the Council to consider the application. It is probable that the Council will request the Commission to prepare its formal opinion. I believe that the progress being made by both Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia in their relations with the European Union should act as an encouragement to neighbouring countries in their own reform processes and as a contribution to peace and stability across the region.
The situation in Kosovo has been of particular concern in recent weeks. It has stabilised following the violence of 17 and 18 March, but remains very tense. The immediate EU reaction to the violence was to encourage the restoration of calm and to support the work of the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General in Kosovo, Mr. Harri Holkeri. The European Council last week reiterated the EU's commitment to the creation of a secure, democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo. It called on Kosovo's political leaders to take immediate, practical steps to enable the return of displaced persons to their homes. It underlined the need for Kosovo's leaders to develop, together with UNMIK and KFOR, security and other institutional arrangements to ensure the protection of the rights of members of all communities in Kosovo. The European Council reaffirmed the Union's strong support for Special Representative Holkeri, for UNMIK, and for KFOR in their determined efforts to stabilise the situation and to ensure the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1244. It confirmed the EU's support for the policy of standards before status.
In Serbia, a new Government, headed by Prime Minister Vojislav Kostunica, was formed on 2 March. The EU has stated clearly that it is ready to work with the new Government, on the basis of its policies and actions. The General Affairs and External Relations Council on 22 March urged the Government to make clear its commitment to political and economic reform and the fulfilment of international obligations. These include full co-operation with the tribunal in The Hague, the fight against organised crime, and continued reconciliation and co-operation with neighbouring countries. It is important that the Government resumes co-operation with the Government in Montenegro on the harmonisation of the two economies of the state union of Serbia and Montenegro. This will enable further progress towards the completion of the Commission's feasibility study on the possible opening of negotiations with Serbia and Montenegro for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement.
