Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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98. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the EU continues to monitor and encourage the positive and democratic process in the western Balkans; the degree to which each country there complies with the acquis communautaire in line with EU requirements; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40082/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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At the European Council in March, the EU reaffirmed its unequivocal support for the European perspective of the Western Balkans and stressed the importance of the countries concerned continuing on the reform path, having good neighbourly relations with each other, and further developing inclusive regional cooperation initiatives. The EU’s commitment to encourage progress was further underlined by the High Representative/Vice President Frederica Mogherini at various regional fora during the summer period, for example, the Dubrovnik Forum, South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit and the Trieste Summit. All six candidate and potential candidate countries are advancing along their respective European paths. There has been real progress in the integration process, as illustrated in the outcomes of the Trieste Summit which include an initiative to develop a Regional Economic Area and the signature of a Transport Community Treaty for the region.

Serbia and Montenegro are furthest along in the accession process: Serbia is a highly influential player in the region, and, with ten out of the 35 chapters of the acquis communautaire already opened, is making good progress.Montenegro has 26 chapters open, and preparations to open the remaining chapters are well advanced.

A new Government has recently been formed in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, which has been a candidate country since 2005. We hope that this will mark the end of an ongoing political crisis, which required intensive engagement by the EU over the last two years. We also hope that the focus can now turn to the many reforms required to progress in the accession process.

It is expected that Albania will be the next country to formally open accession negotiations, having been granted candidate status in 2014. Albania has made considerable progress in its undertaking to address the ‘Five Key Priorities’ on judicial reform and anti-corruption measures.

A potential candidate country, Bosnia and Herzegovina submitted its formal application to join the EU in February 2016, and is currently in the process of completing a detailed questionnaire on all aspects of the acquis. The response to the questionnaire will be assessed by the Commission before deciding whether candidate status can be granted.

Kosovo is still at an early stage in numerous areas in terms of its EU path, although there has been some progress on the normalisation of relations with Serbia, including an agreement on infrastructure and the granting of an international dialling code for Kosovo .

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