Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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153. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide details regarding the upcoming June summit of the European Council and the Stabilisation and Association Process that has been submitted by Kosovo to the EU; if he expects progress to be made with the five EU member states including Cyprus, Greece, Romania, Slovakia and Spain that do not currently recognise the independent state of Kosovo; if this Stabilisation and Association agreement for Kosovo will be formalised at the upcoming summit; if he will outline Ireland's position regarding their application; the progress Ireland has made on this issue during the Irish EU Presidency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22522/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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In December last year the Council invited the Commission and EEAS to report on progress in Kosovo on EU-related reforms, and on the normalisation of relations with Serbia, with a view to a possible decision by the Council during our Presidency on opening negotiations for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Kosovo. The report for Kosovo, and a report on Serbia, were finalised following the agreement reached by both countries on the status of Serbs in Kosovo on 19 April. High Representative Ashton and Commissioner Fule presented the reports and an update on the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue at the General Affairs Council on 22 April. The report was positive on the reforms undertaken by Kosovo, as well as efforts to normalise relations with Serbia, and recommended the opening of SAA negotiations with Kosovo. It is now being discussed by Member States.

While the reaction of Member States to the report has been positive, the importance of the implementation of the agreements reached at the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue has been emphasised. Member States will be looking for concrete progress in this regard between now and the European Council in June, when a decision on opening SAA negotiations with Kosovo may be taken.

With a view to a possible decision on SAA negotiations, Member States are also discussing what form an SAA with Kosovo may take, in a context where five Member States do not recognise Kosovo. I am encouraged that all Member States have indicated they wish to be constructive, and I am confident that Member States will work towards a solution that respects their positions, but also honours their commitments to Kosovo's European perspective as outlined in the December Council Conclusions. The Irish Presidency stands ready to facilitate the opening of SAA negotiations with Kosovo, should the Council so decide.