Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael)
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Question 127: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the situation in the Balkans. [1875/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland, together with its EU partners, attaches great importance to achieving stability in the countries of the Western Balkans. The European Union's Stabilisation and Association (SAA) process provides the framework for co-operation on economic, political and legal matters and aims to bring countries closer to EU standards and principles. Stabilisation and Association Agreements have now been signed with all the countries in the region except Kosovo.

Since the Kosovo Assembly decided to declare independence on 17 February 2008, events in Kosovo have attracted the most attention in the region. On 18 February 2008, EU Foreign Ministers agreed a common response to Kosovo's declaration of independence, reaffirming the EU's willingness to play a leading role in strengthening stability, including by means of the ESDP rule of law mission, EULEX KOSOVO. It also agreed that Member States would decide, in accordance with national practice and international law, on their relations with Kosovo.

22 EU Member States, including Ireland, have recognised Kosovo's independence. Following the coming into force of the new Kosovo constitution on 15 June, the EU's main aim has been the smooth transition from the UN mission (UNMIK) to EULEX KOSOVO. The latter declared initial operating capability on 9 December throughout Kosovo, including the Serb majority areas in the North, without serious incident. It includes eight members of the Garda Síochána and one support staff member from the Department of Defence. During a visit to Kosovo on 22 December, the Taoiseach and the Minister for Defence met with members of the 233-strong UN-mandated KFOR peacekeeping force and Garda members of EULEX. The visit also included a meeting with President Sejdiu and Prime Minister Thaci. Since then, on 21 January 2009, the new Kosovo Security Force (KSF) was launched and assumed its duties under the supervision of NATO. It comprises 2,500 troops with 800 reservists.

A Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and an Interim Agreement, dealing with economic and trade matters, were signed with Serbia on 29 April 2008. The subsequent arrest of Radovan Karadzic on 21 July 2008 was welcomed by the September GAERC as a major achievement in Serbia's co-operation with the Tribunal. However, the ratification process of the SAA by Member States and the implementation of the Interim Agreement will not proceed until the Council decides unanimously that Serbia is cooperating fully with the ICTY.

The November GAERC noted the lack of progress achieved since the signing last June of the SAA with Bosnia-Herzegovina. Enhanced EU engagement was agreed to be necessary, especially during the transition from the Office of the High Representative to that of EU Special Representative, which is expected to happen in 2009. The meeting also highlighted the progress made by Operation ALTHEA towards accomplishing its mandate. Accordingly, the Council considered that preparations for restructuring the operation should continue, taking into account the future role of the EU Special Representative.

Croatia is at an advanced stage in its accession negotiations and hopes to bring them to completion as soon as possible, while on 15 December, Montenegro submitted its application to join the European Union. The Czech Presidency is likely to put the latter on the agenda for the Spring European Council. Finally, the EU continues to work closely with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia during its preparation to open EU accession negotiations. Elections are due to be held there in March and the conduct of the poll will influence the Commission's progress report in November.