Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

EU Agreements

10:00 am

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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Question 386: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs when he will ratify Serbia's Stabilisation and Association Agreement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29708/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Serbia was signed, subject to approval by the parties to it, including Ireland, in Luxembourg on 29 April 2008. At the time of signature of the Agreement, the Council of Ministers decided that the procedures for its formal ratification would begin when the Council agreed unanimously that Serbia was cooperating fully with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY).

At the Foreign Affairs Council on 14 June 2010, Ministers received a positive assessment from the Chief Prosecutor of the ICTY regarding Serbia's ongoing cooperation with the Tribunal. On that basis, the Council decided, by consensus, to submit the Stabilisation and Association Agreement to their national parliaments for ratification. The Council also underlined that full cooperation with the ICTY remained an essential element of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement.

Preparations for the ratification by Ireland of the Agreement are under way and I expect that a motion asking Dáil Éireann to approve the terms of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and Serbia will be moved in the autumn.

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