Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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351. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which countries in the western Balkans continue to work towards EU membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25992/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The stability of the countries of the Western Balkans continues to be a priority for the European Union. At the European Council on 9 March the Heads of State and Government, including the Taoiseach, reaffirmed their unequivocal support for the European perspective of the region. Promoting good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation is a key focus of EU efforts in the Western Balkans, and will be the focus of the forthcoming Trieste summit (12 July).

As part of the preparations for the Trieste summit, HRVP Mogherini hosted the six Prime Ministers of the Western Balkans in Brussels on 24 May, when they reaffirmed their commitment to continue working towards European Union integration and to bringing about tangible benefits for the lives of the citizens of the region.

Ireland is a strong supporter of enlargement, viewing it as a transformative driver for stability and peace, and supports all efforts to enhance regional relationships and institutional reform.