Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 62: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which he and his EU colleagues remain engaged in positively influencing the situation in the western Balkans with particular reference to EU enlargement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31961/09]

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 December 2007 European Council reaffirmed that the future of the Western Balkans lies within the European Union. Progress on a range of fronts by countries of the region is discussed regularly at the General Affairs and External Relations Council.

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 with each of the countries. The Agreements focus mainly on trade liberalisation in goods and other economic and trade-related issues, political dialogue and cooperation in a range of sectors such as industry, environment and energy. Agreements have now been signed with all of the countries in the region with the exception of Kosovo.

In terms of EU enlargement, Croatia is at an advanced stage in its accession negotiations and hopes to bring them to completion as soon as possible, but it needs to address some outstanding issues, including full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for Yugoslavia. 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 largely in line with accepted international standards. On 15 December 2008, Montenegro submitted its application to join the European Union, which the Council has referred to the European Commission for a formal opinion. Albania, which formally applied to join the EU on 28 April 2009, awaits discussion of its application at the Council.

Ireland, together with our EU partners, will continue to monitor developments in this region closely. The EU is also providing financial assistance in support of the reform process and the overall development of the Western Balkans, most notably through the Instrument for Pre-Accession Assistance (IPA). This funding has underpinned the strengthening of the rule of law, good governance, judicial and administrative reform and the development of civil society in the countries concerned. The average annual allocation for the Western Balkans for the period 2007-2011 is approximately €800 million. This is by far the highest per capita amount provided by the European Commission to any region in the world.

In our contribution to EU discussions, Ireland will continue to support the reform process across the Western Balkans as this represents the best way forward for these countries and for the future stability and prosperity of the region as a whole.