Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Labour)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the recent elections held in Bosnia; the way he sees the impact of these impacting on the possibility of lasting peace in the country [36101/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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A general election was held in Bosnia-Herzegovina on 3 October. Under Bosnia-Herzegovina's complex constitutional system voting took place for the three-person state-level Presidency, the state-level House of Representatives as well as at a regional level within the Bosniak-Croat Federation and the Serb Republic. Provisional results indicate gains for moderates in the Federation while the ruling party, the Alliance of Independent Social Democrats, did well in the Serb Republic. Turnout is estimated to have been 56%, an increase on recent elections. In its preliminary assessment, the OSCE-led election observation mission reported that the elections were conducted generally in line with OSCE and Council of Europe commitments and represented further progress for Bosnia-Herzegovina. Ireland contributed nine short term observers to the OSCE-led election observation mission.

I welcome the positive preliminary findings of the OSCE-led election mission. The relatively strong turnout demonstrates the commitment of the Bosnian people to democracy and their determination to shape their own future. Ireland, along with our EU partners, remains committed to enhancing stability in the Western Balkans region. The EU perspective for the countries in the region, agreed at the June 2003 Thessaloniki European Council, is essential in helping to build and maintain this stability. When I met with Foreign Minister Sven Alkalaj in New York last month he emphasised the importance of the EU accession perspective for his country. This meeting followed up on the more detailed discussions I had with Minister Alkalaj during his visit to Dublin in March.

It is important that now, after the general election, fresh impetus is given to domestic reforms to ensure Bosnia-Herzegovina moves forward on the path towards the EU. The EU is ready to play its part by encouraging political leaders in Bosnia-Herzegovina to engage in constructive dialogue and by assisting with the reform process. However, the key to progress lies with the political parties themselves.