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EU Enlargement

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 16 April 2019

Tuesday, 16 April 2019

Ceisteanna (126, 128)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

126. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the western Balkans continue to accede to the acquis communautaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17802/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

128. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the degree to which European enlargement can be influenced by positive influences in consort with the acquis communautaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17804/19]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 126 and 128 together.

Ireland is a strong supporter of the enlargement of the European Union and the accession of the countries of the Western Balkans. Based on our own experience of EU membership, we believe it to be a transformative driver for stability, peace, and prosperity.

Both Montenegro and Serbia have been making steady progress in their negotiations with the EU and in implementing the reforms required to align with the acquis. Ireland would like to see these countries become EU members by 2025, dependent on them continuing to meet the obligations of membership. The Republic of North Macedonia, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo all have further reforms to implement if they wish to upgrade their status. We share the EU’s view that considerable work remains to be done before accession can occur. Conditionality cannot be compromised and all criteria must be met prior to accession. While we firmly support the European perspective of the six Western Balkan countries, Ireland has been clear that all benchmarks and criteria, particularly those relating to Chapters 23 and 24 of the acquis, which deal with issues relating to the rule of law, must be met before accession can be agreed.

We are also clear that the EU cannot import instability; the six Western Balkan states must resolve all outstanding bilateral issues before they can become members of the EU. The Prespa Agreement between the Republic of North Macedonia and Greece is a step in the right direction and shows that even the most fraught bilateral disputes can be resolved with committed leadership.

Providing the countries of the Western Balkans with a credible membership perspective is essential. We therefore believe it is important that the candidate and potential candidate countries are supported and rewarded as they make progress on their respective European paths. For this reason, we support increasing the funding available to the Instrument for Pre-Accession Funding (IPA) in the next Multi-Annual Financial Framework of the European Union. Ireland also gives annual funding to the Regional Cooperation Council, which supports regional cooperation and connectivity across the Western Balkans. In addition, officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our Embassies accredited to the region are working to strengthen our already warm bilateral relations with the accession countries. To this end, Helen McEntee TD, Minister of State for European Affairs, visited Albania and the Republic of North Macedonia for various high-level meetings in February, while Andrew Doyle TD, Minister of State for Food, Forestry and Horticulture, visited Bosnia and Herzegovina for Saint Patrick’s Day. We will continue to cultivate our bilateral relations and support the enlargement process within the institutions of the European Union.

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