Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if the political situation in the Balkans is causing instability in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21863/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Together with its EU partners, Ireland attaches considerable importance to achieving stability in the countries of the Western Balkans, which the European Council, meeting in Thessaloniki in 2003, recognised as having a perspective towards EU membership. 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.

Croatia is at an advanced stage in its EU accession negotiations and hopes to bring them to completion as soon as possible – provided it addresses the outstanding issues, including full cooperation with ICTY.

The EU continues to work closely with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as it works towards opening EU accession negotiations. In March, elections were held there and in Montenegro. The conduct of these polls was found to be largely in line with accepted international standards, which will be taken into account in the Commission's reports on these countries due later this year. On 15 December 2008, Montenegro submitted its application to the European Union, which the Council has referred to the European Commission for a formal opinion.

Albania submitted a formal application to join the EU on 28 April 2009.

Serbia signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) and an Interim Agreement, dealing with economic and trade matters, 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 cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia (ICTY). However, the SAA ratification process and the implementation of the Interim Agreement will not proceed until the Council decides unanimously that Serbia is cooperating fully with the Tribunal.

With regard to Bosnia-Herzegovina, the November 2008 GAERC noted the lack of progress achieved since it signed a Stabilisation and Association Agreement last June. Enhanced EU engagement was agreed to be necessary to help promote stability, especially during the transition from the Office of the High Representative to that of EU Special Representative. Earlier this month, the Council welcomed progress on preparatory work for a possible evolution of Operation ALTHEA. This force had originally been deployed under Chapter VII of the UN Charter to ensure continued compliance with the Dayton/Paris Agreement and to contribute to a safe and secure environment in BiH. The May GAERC agreed this Operation would be kept under regular review so that a decision on its future could be taken once the necessary conditions had been met. The Council reiterated that the possible evolution of Operation ALTHEA would need to take political developments, including the future role of the EU Special Representative, into account.

After the Kosovo Assembly's declaration of independence on 17 February 2008, EU Foreign Ministers quickly agreed a common response reaffirming 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.

As the Deputy may be aware, 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. Since 9 December 2008, the latter Mission has been operating throughout Kosovo, including the Serb majority areas in the North, and has contributed greatly to maintaining stability in the country. EULEX KOSOVO includes eight members of the Garda Siochána 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 Kosovo's 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.

On 8 October 2008, on the basis of a draft resolution tabled by Serbia, the UN General Assembly agreed to request an advisory opinion of the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on whether Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence is in accordance with international law. With Government approval, my Department presented a written statement to the International Court of Justice in support of the unilateral declaration of independence by Kosovo of 17 February 2008. This approach has been followed by a number of other countries, including some EU Member States and the US, while Serbia has tabled documents in support of its position, which is shared by some Member States of the EU and others. The ICJ is now considering the submissions and its further deliberations are awaited.

I can assure the Deputy that Ireland, together with our EU partners, will continue to engage closely with developments in the Western Balkans. The international community shares our concern for stability in the region, as shown by recent visits of the EU's High Representative and the Vice President of the United States.