Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he and his EU and UN colleagues continue to monitor the stabilisation of the western Balkans with particular reference to the need to focus on stability in the region as a prelude to ongoing peace and prosperity throughout Europe in general; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2599/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The UN and the EU maintain a number of Missions whose mandates include the monitoring of the situation in the Western Balkans.

In Kosovo, these include UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK), the EU Rule of Law Mission (EULEX Kosovo), and the UN mandated NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR). Eight members of An Garda Síochána serve with EULEX Kosovo, while the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has deployed two individuals to senior positions within the Mission. Ireland currently contributes 12 Defence Forces personnel to KFOR. In Bosnia and Herzegovina, both main international peace operations are from the European Union: the military stabilisation Operation Althea and the European Union Police Reform Mission (EUPM BiH). One member of An Garda Síochána and one civilian deployed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade are currently serving with EUPM BiH. Seven members of the Defence Forces are presently deployed to EUFOR Althea.

These Missions are integral to the stability of the region and are complementary to ongoing EU-related reforms, particularly in the context of enlargement. The Commission's Enlargement Strategy for 2012 adopted the theme of 'transformation', encapsulating an enlargement process which helps countries transform into modern, dynamic societies upholding and promoting European values and ideals.

Ireland has supported, and will continue to support, the enlargement process as a significant force for change in the Western Balkan region which can bring about lasting and sustainable peace and prosperity.

Croatia's success (the Croatian Accession Treaty was signed in December last year and, following ratification, is set to enter into force on 1 July 2013) has given a boost to the prospects of the other Western Balkans countries. While the December European Council deferred taking a decision on the granting of candidate status to Serbia until the Council in March this year (when its application will be considered again), we trust that reforms that have been implemented by Belgrade will be sufficient to overcome any lingering concerns. A decision to open enlargement negotiations with Montenegro, a Candidate since 2010, has been deferred until June, but work will start in the meantime on drafting a negotiating framework. Macedonia was granted candidate status in 2005, but the opening of negotiations has not been possible in the absence of a resolution to the name issue.

There are a further three countries in the Western Balkans which are regarded as potential EU candidates (Albania, Kosovo and Bosnia & Herzegovina) and progress towards achieving candidate status will be according to a country's own merits and track record in implementing Stabilisation and Association Agreement obligations.