Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 256: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the ongoing progress towards peace in the western Balkans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47131/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Together with its EU partners, Ireland attaches considerable importance to achieving peace and stability in the countries of the Western Balkans, which were recognised as having a European perspective by the European Council at Thessaloniki in 2003. The General Affairs Council (GAC) of 7/8 December 2009 considered the Commission's comprehensive report of 14 October 2009 on progress made by Serbia, the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as Kosovo. The Council reaffirmed its full support for the European perspective of these Western Balkan countries, which remains essential for stability and reconciliation in the region. The Council stated that, by making solid progress in economic and political reform and by fulfilling the necessary conditions and requirements, the remaining potential candidates in the Western Balkans should achieve candidate status, according to their own merits.

The Council decided to implement the Interim Agreement with Serbia which covers the trade aspects of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA). It will consider the next step, ratification by member of the SAA, in six months' time. The Council stated it will return to the question of opening accession talks with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) during the next Presidency, while noting the need to reach a negotiated and mutually acceptable solution of the name issue. With respect to Kosovo, the Council welcomed the orderly conduct of the recent local elections. The Council urged Kosovo to cooperate with the EU's rule of law mission, EULEX.

Last October, the Swedish EU Presidency, working with the United States, convened a series of meetings with leaders of the three ethnic communities in Bosnia Herzegovina (BiH). This so–called "Camp Butmir" initiative was aimed at facilitating political progress in BiH. Despite these efforts, however, no substantive advances have been made so far. The Peace Implementation Council (PIC), the international body charged with implementing the Dayton Peace Agreement, met in Sarajevo on 18 and 19 November 2009. While it welcomed the engagement of BiH's political leaders in the "Butmir" process, it noted insufficient progress had been made in delivering the five objectives and two conditions set by the PIC for the closure of the Office of the High Representative (OHR). In the light of this, the PIC took no decision on OHR transition. It will revert to the issue on 24-25 February 2010.

The Justice and Home Affairs Council of 30 November and 1 December decided to establish a visa free regime with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Montenegro and Serbia. This will start from 19 December 2009. A visa free regime may also be extended to Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina from next year if these countries meet the necessary benchmarks set out by the Commission. This arrangement only affects travel to Member States participating in the Schengen Agreement. Ireland is not a party to the Schengen Agreement.

On 2 December I had a meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Jeremic en marge of the OSCE Ministerial in Athens, during which we discussed Serbia's perspective for European integration. During this meeting, I encouraged Serbia to continue with reforms aimed at eventual EU membership. I am pleased that the Council meeting the following week was able to agree to implement the Interim Agreement with Serbia. In Athens, I also met Albanian Foreign Minister Meta and discussed his country's application for EU membership, including the Council's request to the Commission in November for a formal opinion. I also encouraged my Albanian colleague to persevere with his country's reform programme. While each country in the Western Balkans region must make progress at its own pace towards EU integration, it will be important in the years ahead to ensure no country is left too far behind.