Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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144. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the issue of European Union enlargement remains active; the degree to which the various negotiations are proceeding satisfactorily; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49539/13]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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145. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the European Union remains committed to and is actively progressing enlargement negotiations with the various countries in the Western Balkans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49540/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 144 and 145 together.

The EU remains committed to enlargement, as one of its most successful policies, fostering peace, stability and prosperity in the wider European region.

This year, in addition to Croatia’s accession to the Union, there has been welcome progress in the accession negotiations with Turkey and Montenegro. Following the agreement reached in June under the Irish Presidency, a new chapter in Turkey’s accession negotiations was formally opened for the first time in three years at an Inter-Governmental Conference which took place earlier this month. Under our Presidency, we opened a new chapter in talks with Montenegro and work is underway towards the opening of the two key chapters relating to the judiciary, fundamental rights and justice, freedom and security.

The countries of the Western Balkans are continuing on their respective EU paths, with Serbia and Kosovo having made particular progress this year. In June, under the Irish Presidency, the EU agreed to open accession negotiations with Serbia and to begin negotiations on a Stabilisation and Association Agreement (SAA) with Kosovo. This agreement came in recognition of the progress achieved in the EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina dialogue and the agreement on principles governing the normalisation of relations between the two countries.

The European Commission has recently recommended the granting of candidate status to Albania, in light of the progress it has made and on the understanding that it continues to take action in the fight against organised crime and corruption. Member States will consider this recommendation in the context of preparing Council conclusions on enlargement in December.

The European Commission has also once again recommended that accession negotiations begin with Macedonia, and this will also be considered by Member States in December.

Progress has not been as significant for other countries. Accession negotiations with Iceland have come to a standstill, following a decision of the Icelandic Government to put them on hold.

There has been a disappointing lack of progress in Bosnia Herzegovina, where political leaders have so far failed to reach agreement on key national reforms, despite the on-going intensive efforts by the EU to facilitate agreement through the High Level Dialogue on the Accession Process. While the EU will continue to do everything in its power to encourage movement in Bosnia’s path towards to the EU, this is ultimately, however, a matter for Bosnian political leaders.

Ireland remains a strong supporter of EU enlargement and we look forward to seeing each country make progress on its EU path.