3 Noll 2012, 14:34
The Joint Oireachtas Committee on European Union Affairs will tomorrow discuss progressing the accession of Bosnia-Herzegovina to the European Union with leading experts on the Balkan region.
Kurt Bassuener of the Democratisation Policy Council, Mary Anne Hennessey of the Council of Europe and Tija Memisevic of the European Research Centre will address Bosnia-Herzegovina and EU enlargement.
Chairman of the Committee Dominic Hannigan TD says: “The meeting tomorrow with three Sarajevo-based experts is a valuable opportunity to continue our engagement on Balkan issues. We look forward to hearing the distinct perspectives of each of the three organisations who have a strong track record on democratisation and human rights work in the region.
“Earlier in the year Lord Paddy Ashdown cautioned us that the strong momentum in the first 11 years of peace has reversed in recent years, with Bosnia’s fledgling institutions undermined by political instability. At a separate meeting, we heard distinguished journalist Ed Vulliamy describe the European Union record during the Balkan conflict as shameful and that there is now a debt to be paid.
“Ireland assumes the Presidency of the European Union on 1 January and this Committee intends to highlight the issue of progressing EU enlargement in the Western Balkans region. The insights provided tomorrow will flow into our Committee discussions during the presidency, including the high-level COSAC meetings, which will take place in Dublin Castle in January and June.
The meeting takes place tomorrow Tuesday 4 December at 2 p.m. in Committee Room 1, Leinster House 2000.
Committee proceedings can be viewed online via this link: http://bit.ly/24YmPI
Follow the EU Affairs Committee Facebook page for updates: http://www.facebook.com/EUAffairsCommittee
ENDS
For further information please contact:
Paul Hand,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
Communications Unit,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2
P: +353 1 618 4484
M: +353 87 694 9926
Committee Membership
Deputies
Dominic Hannigan, TD (Chairman)
Paschal Donohoe, TD (Vice-Chairman)
Seán Crowe, TD
Timmy Dooley, TD
Bernard J Durkan, TD
John Halligan, TD
Colm Keaveney, TD
Seán Kyne, TD
Joe O’Reilly, TD
Senators
Colm Burke,
Fidelma Healy Eames,
James Heffernan,
Terry Leyden,
Kathryn Reilly