Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2010

Department of Foreign Affairs

EU Enlargement

10:00 am

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 60: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current thinking within the EU in relation to European enlargement; the extent to which he has engaged with his EU colleagues on this issue with particular reference to Turkey and the Western Balkans and the identification of a specific timescale subject to compliance with the Acquis Communautaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29613/10]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 399: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the degree to which he has expressed his views to his EU colleagues in respect of EU enlargement, with particular reference to Turkey and the Western Balkans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30181/10]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I propose to take Questions Nos. 60 and 399 together.

The issue of enlargement features regularly on the agenda of the General Affairs Council which I attend and in my bilateral discussions with EU Ministerial colleagues. The December 2009 Council adopted detailed conclusions, subsequently endorsed by the European Council, regarding enlargement generally and in relation to the position of various aspirant member states. It underlined that enlargement is based on consolidating commitments, fair and rigorous conditionality and the EU's capacity to integrate new members, and that each country is assessed on its own merits.

On Turkey, the December Council welcomed progress in some areas of reform including judicial reform and civil-military relations. It identified areas where further efforts are required and invited Turkey to step up the pace of reform. Recalling previous conclusions the Council noted with deep regret Turkey's non-compliance with its obligations under the Ankara Protocol and that it had not made progress towards normalisation of its relations with the Republic of Cyprus. It called for further progress without delay. I may add that I had interesting and productive exchanges with Turkish Foreign Minister Davutoglu on the negotiations when he was in Dublin on 10 March 2010.

The December Council also reaffirmed its full support for the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries, which it considered remains essential for the stability, reconciliation and future of the region. It set out detailed conclusions in respect of each of the countries in the region.

The Council commended Croatia for the considerable efforts it had made in 2009 and the good overall progress achieved in meeting benchmarks in the accession process. It noted that negotiations were entering their final phase and underlined that further efforts would be required in respect of a number of areas of reform and in relation to cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia. A working group commenced work on the drafting of the Croatian Accession Treaty in December 2009.

Foreign Ministers had a further discussion on the Western Balkans at the Foreign Affairs Council on 14 June and heard the views of prosecutor Brammertz of the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia on current cooperation of Serbia and Croatia. The June Council reaffirmed the EU's unequivocal commitment to the European perspective of the Western Balkan countries and reiterated that each country's progress towards the European Union depended on its individual efforts to comply with the Copenhagen criteria and the conditionality of the Stabilisation and Association Process. It welcomed the commitment of the Western Balkans to intensify the pace of reform in key areas and stressed the importance of addressing the challenges ahead.

On 17 June, the European Council decided that accession negotiations should be opened with Iceland and it invited the Council to adopt a general Negotiating Framework.

It is important to note that enlargement is a negotiated process and, as in any negotiation, the eventual outcome and timeframe cannot be predetermined. The next key milestone will be the publication by the Commission in October of annual progress reports on candidates and applicant member states. This in turn will provide a basis for further discussion and conclusions at the December Council.

As a beneficiary of past enlargement, and on the experience of more recent accessions, Ireland is generally supportive of enlargement. The prospect of enlargement bolsters economic and political reform processes and helps to promote stability, security and prosperity in Europe. Ireland takes an active role in discussions on the issue, both at Council meetings and in bilateral discussions with existing and aspirant member states.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.