Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of relations between Ireland and Kosovo; the way he hopes to build on these; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [55912/12]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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Relations between Ireland and Kosovo are excellent. Ireland is a firm friend of Kosovo, having been active as part of the international presence there since 1999. Ireland was one of the first States to recognise Kosovo’s declaration of independence in 2008. We participated in the International Steering Group for Kosovo until the end of supervised independence on 10 September this year. Irish personnel continue to participate in the EU Rule of Law mission in Kosovo (EULEX Kosovo) and the UN-mandated, NATO-led KFOR mission. Ireland provides support to Kosovo through contributions to the EU, UN and other multilateral organisations. Irish Aid has also contributed funding to Kosovo through its Partnership Programme for Europe and Central Asia.

Our strong bilateral relationship is also evidenced by the number of Irish Government Ministers who have visited Kosovo in recent years. Most recently, my colleague, the Minister of State for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton visited Kosovo in September, in the capacity of Ireland’s Chairmanship of the OSCE, and as incoming EU Presidency. While there she met with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Deputy Foreign Minister, among other interlocutors.

We are encouraged by the recent resumption of the Belgrade-Pristina dialogue, and commend the efforts of Kosovar Prime Minister Hashim Thaçi and Serbian Prime Minister Ivica Dačić in this regard. We strongly encourage both sides to continue to work together to ensure further and sustainable progress. The improvement of relations between Serbia and Kosovo will be key for the EU aspirations of both. We would also encourage Kosovo to accelerate reforms in the areas of public administration, the rule of law, freedom of expression and the fight against corruption and organised crime.

We believe that the prospect of EU membership remains the EU’s most effective tool in supporting reform and transformation for all of the countries of the Western Balkans. In that regard, we are supportive of Kosovo’s EU perspective, as we are of the membership aspirations of all countries in the region. We will make every effort to progress Kosovo’s EU perspective during our Presidency.