Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 110: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position in regard to the resolution of the outstanding issues in the Balkans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17073/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The December 2007 European Council reaffirmed that the future of the Western Balkans lies within the European Union and the countries of the region (Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Kosovo, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia) continue to feature on the agenda of the General Affairs and External Relations Council. On 18 February last, EU Foreign Ministers recalled the Union's longstanding commitment to strengthening stability in the region. Foreign Ministers also reaffirmed their commitment to support fully the European perspective for the Western Balkans and asked the Commission to use community instruments to promote economic and political developments in the region.

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

SAAs have been signed with Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania and Montenegro. The SAA with Serbia was signed earlier this week, on 29 April 2008. An Interim Agreement dealing with economic and trade matters was signed at the same time. The Council welcomed the signature of the SAA and the 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 implementation of the Interim Agreement will begin as soon as the Council decides unanimously that Serbia is cooperating fully with the ICTY.

Negotiations on an SAA with Bosnia and Herzegovina were finalised late last year. The timing of the signature is linked to sufficient progress by Bosnia and Herzegovina in addressing key priorities, notably in police reform, cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), public broadcasting and public administration reform. At their meeting on 29 April, EU Foreign Ministers welcomed the conclusion of the first phase of police reform by the recent adoption of two laws on the subject. While the Council acknowledged that Bosnia and Herzegovina will need to undertake further efforts to address reforms, the Council expressed its readiness to sign the SAA as soon as possible.

In addition to the Stabilisation and Association Process, the European Union opened negotiations on accession with Croatia in 2005. The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has obtained candidate status, although its negotiations on accession have not yet commenced.

Recent developments in the Western Balkans have largely focused on Kosovo and the decision of the Kosovo Assembly to declare independence on 17 February 2008. At the General Affairs and External Relations Council on 18 February, EU Foreign Ministers agreed a common response to Kosovo's declaration of independence, noting the uniqueness of Kosovo's situation, arising from the conflict of the 1990s and the eight years of UN administration which followed, and reaffirming the EU's willingness to play a leading role in strengthening stability in the region including by means of the planned ESDP rule of law mission.

The Council also agreed that Member States will decide, in accordance with national practice and international law, on their relations with Kosovo. Since then, 18 EU Member States, including Ireland, have recognised Kosovo's independence. At least 21 of the 27 EU Member States are expected to recognise Kosovo in the medium term.