Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 44: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the impact of the 2009 European Court of Human Rights ruling on the Bosnian Presidency on a potential Bosnian application for EU membership; if he will support such an application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2374/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I assume the Deputy is referring to the Ruling of the European Court of Human Rights in December 2009 which held that the prohibition in the Bosnian Constitution against those from the Roma and Jewish minorities from standing for election to the Parliamentary Assembly and for the State Presidency violates the European Convention on Human Rights. As outlined by the European Commission in its 2011 – 2012 Enlargement Strategy, compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights is an essential requirement of the Interim Agreement and the Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the European Union and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

In the absence of agreement on a new Bosnian government since the last elections in October 2010, there has been little meaningful progress towards harmonising the Constitution with the ruling of the European Court of Human Rights referred to by the Deputy. Bosnia and Herzegovina is not yet, therefore, in a position to make a formal application for EU membership and it is likely to be some time before this is possible.

In general, however, Ireland has been, and will continue to be, a firm supporter of the EU accession process and would support the application of any country with a European perspective that meets the necessary requirements for membership and that upholds and promotes the ideals and values of the European Union.