Written answers

Tuesday, 3 July 2007

Department of Foreign Affairs

Democratisation Process

9:00 pm

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if Ireland supports Kosovo in its bid for independence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18735/07]

Photo of Dermot AhernDermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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Together with our EU partners, Ireland has consistently expressed strong support for the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy, the former Finnish President, Martti Ahtisaari, and his team since they commenced work over a year ago on the challenging and complex issue of Kosovo's final status. Ireland believes that the comprehensive proposal of Special Envoy Ahtisaari provides the most practical basis for a settlement of the Kosovo issue by a new Resolution of the UN Security Council, to replace Security Council Resolution 1244 under which Kosovo has been governed since 1999.

The declared aim of Special Envoy Ahtisaari's Comprehensive Proposal for the Kosovo status settlement is to define the provisions necessary for a future Kosovo that is viable, sustainable and stable. His recommendation is that Kosovo's status should be independence, supervised by the international community. The proposal includes detailed provisions concerning the promotion and protection of the rights of communities and their members, the effective decentralisation of government, and the preservation and protection of cultural and religious heritage. It also sets out constitutional, economic and security measures, aimed at contributing to the development of a multi-ethnic, democratic and prosperous Kosovo. A key element of the proposed settlement would be the mandate provided for a future international civilian and military presence in Kosovo, to supervise implementation of the Settlement and assist the competent Kosovo authorities in ensuring peace and stability throughout Kosovo.

These detailed proposals are the product of more than twelve months of negotiations involving the parties in Belgrade and Pristina under the chairmanship of the Special Envoy and his team. Following from these discussions, Special Envoy Ahtisaari has been clear in his view that there is no likelihood of agreement between the parties on the status issue itself, and that his comprehensive and balanced proposals therefore represent the only practical basis for Kosovo's final status.

While we would ideally have preferred to see the Kosovo issue resolved on the basis of full agreement between all the parties, we share the Special Envoy's view that his proposal represents the most practicable solution in all of the prevailing historical and political circumstances. We therefore continue to urge intensified efforts within the UN Security Council to agree on a new Resolution which will provide the basis for implementation of this proposal. Once a new Resolution is agreed, the EU will play the lead role in international efforts to support the implementation of the final status settlement. It is likely that Ireland will contribute to the EU role in Kosovo through the involvement of the Garda in the planned ESDP civilian Mission. We will also step up our existing participation in the NATO-led and UN–mandated KFOR force, as we take on from this summer the role of Framework Nation of the Multinational Task Force (Centre), covering the capital Pristina and the surrounding area.

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