Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his remarks. He asked earlier about the enlargement agenda. This week the EU will confirm that Montenegro has made all of its interim benchmarks on rule of law reforms. This is a significant achievement and clears the way for Montenegro to close additional negotiating chapters confirming its position as accession front-runner. I hope this acts as an inspiration to Montenegro's neighbours that reform efforts will be rewarded by the EU. We are also hopeful that the new Government of North Macedonia can implement the necessary constitutional amendment to allow its candidacy to move forward. The new North Macedonian Foreign Minister reiterated that EU integration is his Government's overriding objective. The European Union has rewarded Bosnia and Herzegovina for its accelerated reform efforts, including by granting candidate status in December 2022 and opening accession negotiations in March 2024. There are continuing issues around tensions within Serbia and Kosovo. I note the Deputy's comments in respect of Serbia. We have concerns in respect of its alignment with EU policies.

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