Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent)
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22. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will make representations at EU level to oblige the EU to exert more vigorous pressure on Bosnia's politicians to ensure the sovereignty of Bosnia and Herzegovina is respected and insisting that politicians work together to overcome current obstacles to EU integration and obliging them to protect all citizens and their human rights. [8048/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The European Union has made clear its unequivocal support for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s EU perspective as a sovereign and united country enjoying full territorial integrity. The EU has set out what is required in order for the country to take the next steps to advance on its path towards EU membership.

The Minister for European Affairs, Pascal Donohoe, visited Bosnia and Herzegovina at the end of January to express Ireland’s strong support for the country and for its efforts to become a member of the Union. During his visit, the Minister encouraged the leaders there to work together to reach agreement on key issues in the interests of the people of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Minister made clear that the solutions to these issues must come from within Bosnia and Herzegovina itself. The EU cannot impose remedies from outside. This is a position that the Minister found to be well understood by his interlocutors in Sarajevo. They look, however, to the EU and international community for support. The Minister assured them that Ireland and the EU would continue to provide this support and will continue to follow developments closely.

Indeed, at the last EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels on 10 February, we discussed the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, in light of the significant public demonstrations there in the days leading up to the Council. The EU’s High Representative, Cathy Ashton, and Commissioner for Enlargement, Stefan Fule, are travelling to Bosnia and Herzegovina this week to further encourage the country’s leaders to work together to address the public’s concerns about the future of the country and to take steps to meet the aspirations of the people.

I expect that we will return to the issue of Bosnia and Herzegovina at a future Foreign Affairs Council.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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23. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which he directly and in conjunction with his EU colleagues continues to monitor the situation in the Western Balkans with particular reference to the ongoing economic situation there and consequent possible destabilisation as evidenced in recent times; the degree to which particular reference has been made to address issues of concern in the region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8070/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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57. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the European Union continues to monitor the situation in the Western Balkans with particular reference to the need to support the various authorities in their efforts to achieve to the acquit communautaire; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8573/14]

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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58. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which underlying social or economic issues in the Western Balkans are a basis for recent disturbances there; the extent to which this has raised concerns within the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8574/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 23, 57 and 58 together.

Together with my EU colleagues, I follow very closely the situation in the Western Balkans on an on-going basis. As well as our on-going support for their efforts to align with the acquis communautaire in preparation for EU membership, we monitor the social and economic situation in the region with particular attention.

As the Deputy will be aware, none of the countries of the Western Balkans is a functioning market economy but each is working towards that goal. All are affected by high unemployment, particularly among young people. While they have been hit by the global economic crisis, recovery in the EU should have a positive impact on the region. The European Commission has forecast that the Western Balkans’ economies should grow by 2% GDP in 2013. This modest recovery is not a guarantee for sustainable growth and convergence, however, and significant challenges remain. The lack of economic growth and job opportunities in some countries has led to public demonstrations recently.

The EU, as part of its overall support for the region and for the EU perspective of the Western Balkans, is actively supporting their economic growth and reforms. Our aim is the development of a peaceful, stable and prosperous Western Balkans region.

For example, the European Commission is strengthening dialogue on economic governance with the countries of the region this year to help them better prepare for eventual Union membership in terms of economic reform, competitiveness and job creation. This is an initiative that Ireland very much supports. The EU also places the rule of law at the heart of the enlargement process, recognising that this is key for economic development and for creating a favourable business environment and investment climate.

As part of our on-going monitoring of the situation in the region, at the last Foreign Affairs Council, on 10 February, we discussed developments in Bosnia and Herzegovina in light of the public demonstrations there in the days preceding the Council. We recalled the importance of that country’s leaders working together on important reforms, including economic reforms, in the interests of their peoples and with a view to advancing their country on its EU path. I expect that we will be returning to the subject of Bosnia and Herzegovina at a future Council.

We in Ireland also remain fully engaged with the Western Balkans region. My colleague, the Minister for European Affairs, Paschal Donohoe, has recently visited both Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina, to express our continued support for their efforts to advance on their respective EU paths. Both he and I also met with the Foreign Minister of Kosovo when he visited Dublin in January. We discussed the progress that Kosovo has made as well as the challenges that remain and assured him of our on-going support for his country.

Together with our EU counterparts, we will remain fully engaged with the region and supportive of the efforts of the countries of the Western Balkans as they undertake the necessary reforms, especially economic reforms, and prepare for EU membership.