Written answers

Thursday, 20 January 2011

Department of Foreign Affairs

EU Enlargement

5:00 am

Photo of Richard BrutonRichard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 30: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding Croatia's application to join the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2852/11]

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 37: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current state of the EU expansion programme for the accession of new member states; when Croatia, which has reached the final phase of the accession negotiations with the Commission will become a member; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2855/11]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 160: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the position regarding EU membership for the remaining Balkan states; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3219/11]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 172: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the current position regarding progress on EU enlargement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3231/11]

Photo of Brian CowenBrian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 30, 37, 160 and 172 together.

In November 2010 the European Commission published its Enlargement Strategy for 2011 and Progress Reports on the candidate and potential candidate countries. The General Affairs Council discussed that Enlargement Package in December. The Council conclusions broadly shared the Commission's assessment that Enlargement continues to be an important part of EU policy that furthers stability and provides incentives for political and economic reform in candidate countries. There are currently three candidate countries negotiating accession to the EU: Croatia, negotiations for which are nearing completion; Turkey, for which progress remains slow, in part because of complications from the Cyprus issue; and Iceland, which is beginning the process.

Regarding Croatia, the General Affairs Council conclusions confirmed that Croatia's accession negotiations have reached their "final phase" and noted that "conclusion of the negotiations is within reach". The Council also noted that full cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) remains essential. In its report the Commission concluded that there is still work to do in terms of fundamental rights and judicial reform if Croatia wants to avoid a Cooperation and Verification Mechanism after accession.

Ireland has been supportive of the Croatian candidacy and looks forward to completion of negotiations, according to the relevant conditions and benchmarks being met. At the most recent Intergovernmental Conference between Croatia and the EU on 22 December, a further three negotiation chapters were closed, bringing the total now provisionally closed to 28 out of 35. As Enlargement is a negotiated process, the eventual outcome and timeframe, as in any negotiation, cannot be predetermined. Once accession negotiations are concluded, there are still a number of steps to be followed before membership, including drafting of an Accession Treaty, referral to the European Parliament and the Commission, agreement at European Council level and then ratification by each of the EU member states and by the candidate country itself.

Regarding the Western Balkans, the December General Affairs Council reaffirmed its commitment to the Balkans' European perspective, which is seen as essential for stability and reconciliation in the region. Progress towards achieving candidate status for the Western Balkan states must be based on "fair and rigorous conditionality" and be according to a country's own merits and track record in implementing Stabilisation and Association Agreement obligations.

The December European Council granted candidate status to Montenegro, which now joins Macedonia as an official candidate country for EU accession, but with which the EU has yet to open negotiations. There are a further four countries in the Western Balkans which are regarded as potential candidates: Albania, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Kosovo. Albania submitted an accession application on 28 April 2009. The Commission delivered its opinion on the application in November 2010 recommending that negotiations be opened with Albania only when a number of key reform priorities are addressed. Serbia submitted an accession application on 22 December 2009. The application has been referred to the Commission for an opinion which is expected in the second half of 2011. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo have not applied for membership of the EU as yet, though a Stabilisation and Association Agreement has been signed with Bosnia and Herzegovina which will enter into force once the ratification process has been completed.

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