Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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Question 56: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent warnings from Lord Ashdown, the former international high representative for Bosnia, that mounting Bosnian Serb pressure to break up the multiethnic state could see conflict return to the region; and if these issues have been discussed at an EU level. [27237/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Bosnia and Herzegovina is experiencing a prolonged period of political and economic stalemate. Elections took place almost exactly a year ago, on 3 October 2010. The process of government formation has yet to be completed. All main political party leaders met recently in Brcko to try to find a way forward, with a specific focus on the formation of the state level executive, the Council of Ministers. While it appears that some of the parties have moved towards compromise positions, a number of obstacles to agreement remain, particularly in relation to the representation of the Bosnian-Croat community in the executive. Ireland and its EU partners continue to urge all the parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina to overcome their differences and form a government so that the country can move forward on its path towards EU accession.

Safeguarding the territorial integrity of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the cornerstone of the EU's policy towards the country. The EU has not hesitated to reject statements questioning the legitimacy of the country's post-Dayton institutions.

In May of this year, High Representative Ashton secured a commitment from Milorad Dodik, the Republika Srspka President, that a decision by that entity's national assembly to hold a referendum calling into question the state-level judiciary would be repealed. Subsequently, on 2 June 2011, the Republika Srpska national assembly voted to repeal the decision to hold the referendum. I welcomed this development, which was a sign of the EU's commitment to protecting Bosnia and Herzegovina's state-level institutions.

Ultimately, the EU perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the most powerful tool at the disposal of the international community to help build and maintain stability in the country. The EU is closely engaged in assisting Bosnia and Herzegovina to undertake the reforms necessary to move forward on its path to the EU. Developments in the country are regularly discussed by the European Union at both official and political level, including in recent months.

The EU is working to enhance its presence in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This will help to make the prospect of EU accession more real to the people of the country, and strengthen the leverage of EU accession as a means to encourage the necessary reform. In September, Peter Sorensen, who has broad experience of the Western Balkans, took up the double-hatted post of Head of EU Delegation and EU Special Representative in Sarajevo.

In December 2010, the EU lifted visa requirements for Bosnian and Albanian visitors to the Schengen area. In the lead-up to visa liberalisation, Bosnia and Herzegovina's political leaders and administration worked together effectively to implement wide-ranging reforms. This development was a major boost for the country and proves that the Bosnian authorities are capable of working together when there is a tangible EU-related goal at stake.

In terms of the EU's commitment to safeguarding stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina, I would also note the presence of EUFOR Althea, the EU military mission in the country. The mission of Operation Althea, to which Ireland has made a significant contribution over the years, is to provide a military presence in order to contribute to a safe and secure environment, deny conditions for a resumption of violence, and help to implement the Dayton agreement.