Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 63: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position with regard to the negotiations taking place between Turkey and the EU regarding Union membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19565/06]

Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 148: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position with regard to the future entry of Croatia to the European Union; when accession is likely to take place; the outstanding issues for resolution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19564/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 63 and 148 together.

Accession negotiations were opened with both Turkey and Croatia on 3 October 2005. An extensive screening process is currently underway, in which experts from the Commission explain EU rules to the two countries and examine their strategies for adopting and implementing them. It is expected to take until autumn 2006 to complete the screening process for the required 33 chapters.

After each chapter has been screened the EU can decide, on the basis of a proposal from the Commission, whether the negotiations in that sector can be opened. To date, the Commission has presented its reports to the Council on four negotiating chapters, although formal negotiations have not yet been opened on any of these. The fact that this screening process with both countries is currently running in parallel does not mean that the pace of their progress towards membership is linked. Both countries will be judged on their own merits. At this stage, it is not possible to set a timeframe for the completion of the negotiations with either country.

Careful preparation of the Union's most recent enlargement has been a key factor in its success. With regard to the accession negotiations with Turkey and Croatia, the EU has confirmed that it will be firm in demanding that they fulfil all the requirements of membership. It is not an automatic process, but one where conditionality is the key.

Both countries will be expected to maintain their commitment to the full implementation of human rights and other reforms.

The Union's capacity to absorb new members will also be an important consideration. If EU membership is to be further extended, the Union will need to ensure that it has the economic, political and institutional capacity to make this possible. As Turkey's accession could have substantial financial consequences, it is accepted that its negotiations can only be concluded after the establishment of the Union's financial framework for the period beyond 2013.

Ireland has always been supportive of the process of EU enlargement from which we have consistently benefited. It has been our policy to consider each candidate on the basis of its own merits and this principle will continue to underpin our approach to the negotiations with both Turkey and Croatia. Both countries benefit from the Department of Foreign Affairs' Bilateral Assistance Programme, which provides support for candidate countries as they prepare for the considerable challenges of EU membership.