Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 31: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in relation to the possible acceptance of an application by Serbia to join the European Union. [16835/08]

John O'Mahony (Mayo, Fine Gael)
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Question 34: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if progress has been made by the EU on signing a EU-Serbia Stabilisation and Association Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16884/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 31 and 34 together.

With regard to the possibility of Serbia joining the European Union at a future date, the December 2007 European Council reaffirmed that the future of the Western Balkans lies within the European Union. It considered that a stable and prosperous Serbia fully integrated into the family of European nations is important for the stability of the region. In this regard, it encouraged Serbia to meet the necessary conditions to allow for its Stabilisation and Association Agreement to be signed rapidly. Furthermore, in light of Serbia's considerable institutional capacity, the European Council reiterated its confidence that Serbia's progress on the road towards the EU, including candidate status, can be accelerated provided the required conditions are met.

The European Union's Stabilisation and Association Process for South-East Europe aims to strengthen political and economic stability in the region and to bring the countries of the region closer to EU standards and principles. The Process involves the negotiation and implementation of Stabilisation and Association Agreements (SAAs) which focus mainly on trade-related issues, political dialogue, legal approximation, and cooperation in sectors such as industry, environment and energy.

On 29 April last, the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Serbia was signed. An Interim Agreement dealing with economic and trade matters was signed at the same time. The General Affairs and External Relations Council welcomed the signature of the SAA and Interim Agreement as an important step on Serbia's path towards the EU. The Council decided that the ratification process of the SAA by Member States and the implementation of the Interim Agreement will begin as soon as the Council decides unanimously that Serbia is co-operating fully with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).