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EU Enlargement

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 April 2018

Thursday, 19 April 2018

Ceisteanna (108)

Thomas P. Broughan

Ceist:

108. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on Serbia and Montenegro joining the EU; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17141/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Enlargement remains an important policy for the future stability of the European Union and its neighbouring countries. Enhancing the European perspective of the Western Balkans is a key strategic priority for the Bulgarian Presidency. The Strategy for the Western Balkans was published by the European Commission on 6 February. It confirmed the European perspective of the region and set out an indicative accession date of 2025 for Serbia and Montenegro, while emphasising that this perspective was extremely ambitious and strictly contingent on countries meeting the relevant accession criteria. In particular, the Strategy underlined the rule of law, the fight against corruption and organised crime, and good neighbourly relations as being fundamental for the Western Balkans to make progress on their accession paths. Montenegro has made substantial progress on its European path. It is considerably ahead of other candidates in terms of open chapters of the acquis in accession negotiations; 30 chapters have already been opened (of which three have been provisionally closed) and just three have yet to be opened. Serbia is also making good progress; it has opened 12 chapters in negotiations (of which two have been provisionally closed); 23 have yet to be opened. The EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue, aimed at normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia, has seen renewed momentum this year, and progress in these negotiations will be key for Serbia to advance its membership aspirations. The European Union published country reports on each of the candidate and potential candidate countries on 17 April, and these confirm that while there is still a great deal of work to do, both Serbia and Montenegro are well advanced on their European path.

Ireland is a strong supporter of the enlargement process, viewing it as a transformative driver for stability and peace. We believe that the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries, including Serbia and Montenegro, must be credible, in order to advance the stability and security of the region. Equally, we are clear that candidate countries must, in meeting all the requirements of the accession process, give the rule of law, justice and fundamental rights the utmost priority in terms of reform.

Ireland is therefore strongly supportive of the accession of Serbia and Montenegro, provided that all criteria are completely and unequivocally fulfilled. This is more important than accession dates per se. But we see the indicative 2025 date as offering an achievable, albeit ambitious, timeline for both Serbia and Montenegro.

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