Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 121: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current and likely future position in respect of EU enlargement with particular reference to the Western Balkans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43515/10]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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The prospect of accession to the Union is a very important element in the overall diplomacy of the EU in its neighbouring Balkan region. It bolsters and acts as an incentive to reform efforts, both economic and political, promotes regional cooperation and the resolution of disputes and should lead over time to greater stability, progress and benefits for Europe as a whole. Ireland is actively engaged in this process, both in internal EU discussion and in contacts with Western Balkan countries. The European Commission adopted its 2010 Enlargement Package on 9 November. Commissioner for Enlargement and External Relations Stefan Fuele emphasised the importance of the EU's Enlargement policy and stressed the significance of credibility in the process, in terms of conditionality and the efforts of candidate counties.

Regarding Croatia, the Commission confirmed that the accession negotiations have reached their "final phase". Emphasis was placed on work still to do in terms of fundamental rights and judicial reform if Croatia wanted to avoid a Cooperation and Verification Mechanism after accession. The situation will be further assessed in the first quarter of 2011.

Regarding potential candidate countries of the Western Balkans, Commissioner Fuele announced that negotiations for accession to the European Union should be opened with Montenegro and Albania once they have achieved the necessary degree of compliance with the membership criteria and in particular the Copenhagen political criteria requiring the stability of institutions guaranteeing notably the rule of law. The Commission recommended that the Council grant Montenegro the status of candidate country. No such recommendation was made in regard to Albania, in relation to which the Commission made an additional reference to the need to guarantee democracy. The Commission reaffirmed its opinion on Macedonia, namely that a solution is necessary to the name issue. Serbia was deemed to be well-placed to fulfil the requirements under the SAA and was continuing to cooperate with the ICTY, which is seen as an essential condition for membership. While regional cooperation was highlighted as a Serbian strength, a more positive attitude towards cooperation with Kosovo was urged, in particular in relation to regional economic cooperation. On Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Commission said that there was a need for a government to be formed quickly and for reforms, notably aligning the constitution with the European Court of Human Rights. There was also a need to move forward on the conditions to allow the Office of the High Representative to be removed. Kosovo was deemed to have made progress in a number of areas but still faced major challenges, notably in regional cooperation.