Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 16 to 20, inclusive, together.

I visited the western Balkans from 10 to 12 January 2024. My visit to Kosovo was an opportunity, in particular, to thank the Irish members of the Defence Forces serving with the Kosovo Force, KFOR, and the Irish people serving with the European Union Rule of Law Mission in Kosovo, EULEX, for the vital work they do in contributing to peace and security in that country. My visit to three western Balkans countries, namely, Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia, was also an opportunity to reiterate Ireland's long-standing and strong wish to see the countries of the western Balkans join the European Union as soon as they are ready.

Ireland has long endorsed their journey towards membership, and we will continue to do so.

As I said in my meetings with leaders in all three countries, enlargement is, and must remain, merit-based. Undertaking the reforms and legal preparations necessary for membership is challenging, as it should be. However, the prize at the end of a difficult path is membership of the European Union which, as this country knows well, can be transformative in economic and social terms. I urged all leaders I met to continue to take the steps necessary. I also said that Ireland is their friend, and will continue to make the case that once a country is ready for membership, it should be allowed to join. There should be no requirement to wait until others are ready, or for internal reforms within the EU. We should not put up unnecessary or additional barriers.

In Pristina, I met the Prime Minister of Kosovo, Albin Kurti, and the President, Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu. Both briefed me on efforts to de-escalate tensions between Kosovars and ethnic Serbs in the northern part of the country. I urged them to continue to do all they could to advance this and to engage in the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue aimed at normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia.

There is great interest in Kosovo in how Ireland engages with our global diaspora. As a country that has experienced considerable emigration, Kosovo was interested to know how it can maintain and strengthen relations with Kosovars around the world. I offered to share any lessons from our national experience that might be useful.

In Podgorica, I met the Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milojko Spajić. and the President, Jakov Milatović. Montenegro is further advanced in preparations for EU membership than others, and both leaders were keen to ensure that it should be able to join once ready. We also discussed ways to deepen our bilateral relations, especially in the economic sphere.

My visit to Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia, was the first to that country by a serving Irish Taoiseach. I met Prime Minister Dimitar Kovačevski and President Stevo Pendarovski. North Macedonia has faced challenges in its efforts to advance its case for EU membership, including agreeing to change the name of the country and agreeing to amend its constitution to reflect the presence of a Bulgarian minority in the country. They are, therefore, naturally keen to ensure that no new or further obstacles, other than those required of all applicants, are placed in their path.

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