Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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121. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent to which the situation in the western Balkans continues to be monitored with a view to eventual EU membership; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12464/21]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Ireland recognises the value of EU accession as a transformative driver for stability and peace in the Western Balkans. We have always been, and will remain, a strong supporter of enlargement of the European Union, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary conditions for membership. In this regard, we welcome the reform agenda underway in the countries of the Western Balkans and the progress that has been made in the areas of security and rule of law.

In terms of monitoring the progress individual countries in the Western Balkans are making towards meeting the criteria for EU accession, Ireland’s embassies accredited to the Western Balkans continue to keep track of each country’s progress and interact closely with the EU Delegations based there who provide annual comprehensive reports on the reforms within each country.

The European Commission published its latest Annual Enlargement Package and country reports in October 2020. In terms of the progress of individual Western Balkan countries, Serbia and Montenegro are both currently negotiating Chapters of the Acquis with the EU. Serbia has opened negotiations on 18 Chapters, with two provisionally closed. Montenegro has opened all Chapters and provisionally closed three. The country reports for 2020 assessed both Serbia and Montenegro as having both made limited progress. Serbia needs to accelerate its reforms, particularly in the areas of rule of law and justice, and make significant progress in the normalisation of relations with Kosovo, while Montenegro must address shortcomings in the areas of media freedom, fight against corruption and trafficking, and turn its attention to the closing of Chapters.

Regarding North Macedonia and Albania, it was agreed by the European Council in March 2020 to open negotiations with both countries. It was regrettable that Member States were unable to reach agreement on the draft negotiating frameworks for both countries at the November General Affairs Council. Ireland believes the draft negotiating frameworks should be agreed at the earliest available opportunity to allow the first Intergovernmental Conferences to take place with both countries.

Bosnia-Herzegovina has made limited progress over the last year and faces significant challenges to ensure implementation of the Commission’s 2019 recommendations in the areas of democracy, rule of law, fundamental rights, and public administration reform. Progress in these areas must be seen before the opening of accession negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina can be considered.

Kosovo is a potential candidate for Membership of the EU. The Commission’s report on Kosovo in 2020 noted that the political situation in Kosovo remains challenging. Rule of law, judicial reform, public administration reform, organised crime and normalisation of the relationship with Serbia are just some of the areas that must be comprehensively addressed in order for Kosovo to advance on its European path. It will be some time before Kosovo can qualify as a candidate country.

Ireland will continue to support the enlargement process and offer any practical assistance it can to candidate countries engaged in accession negotiations to the EU.