Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 77: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation in Kosovo; the diplomatic contacts Ireland has with the area; when a conclusion to the talks will be reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13103/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, Kosovo has been under UN administration since the end of the conflict in 1999, in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 1244. On 24 October 2005 the Security Council welcomed the report by the Secretary General's envoy, Ambassador Kai Eide of Norway, on the implementation of standards as well as the overall situation in Kosovo.

As recommended by Ambassador Eide, a process of consideration of the future status of Kosovo, led by the UN Secretary General's Special Envoy, former Finnish President Mr. Martti Ahtisaari, has been under way since late last year. Ireland and our EU partners fully support the work of Mr. Ahtisaari and his team, and look forward to working with all those involved to ensure the development of a truly multi-ethnic society in Kosovo in the future. The EU has also nominated a representative to the Kosovo future status process, Mr. Stefan Lehne, who is working closely with Mr. Ahtisaari. Ireland, together with our EU partners, continues to have ongoing contacts with those involved in these important negotiations.

Talks between Serbia, including representatives of the Kosovo Serb community, and the Kosovo Albanians began in February in Vienna under the auspices of Mr. Ahtisaari. So far the atmosphere appears to have been reasonably constructive, although there remain considerable differences in the position of the delegations on the fundamental issues. The Kosovo Albanians are seeking independence while Serbia wants "less than independence and more than autonomy" for Kosovo. In addition to the direct negotiations, Mr. Ahtisaari has been holding an ongoing series of consultations with all parties involved in the conflict and the members of the contact group, which includes the US, the UK, France, Germany, Russia and the EU. It is expected that the status process will continue over the coming months with a view to achieving agreement, if possible, by the end of this year.

The Irish Embassy in Budapest is accredited to Serbia and Montenegro, including Kosovo. Ireland also currently contributes 211 Defence Force personnel to KFOR, the UN mandated peacekeeping force in Kosovo.