Timmy Dooley (Clare, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 59: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he is supportive of an application for EU membership by Serbia; the reasons for his position; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2711/12]

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

In relation to Serbia's application for EU membership, the Commission recommended in its Enlargement Strategy for 2012 that "the Council should grant Serbia the status of candidate country taking into account progress achieved so far and on the understanding that Serbia re-engages in the dialogue with Kosovo and is moving swiftly to the implementation in good faith of agreements reached to date". However, the December European Council deferred a decision on granting Serbia candidate status to the February General Affairs Council and the March European Council, pending further progress on the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue. 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.