Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

91. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania are likely to join the European Union; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15157/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Ireland has always been, and will remain, a strong supporter of enlargement of the European Union, provided that candidate countries meet the necessary conditions for membership. We recognise the value of enlargement as a transformative driver for stability and peace in candidate countries. Serbia, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Albania, alongside Turkey, are all currently recognised as candidates for membership of the European Union.

The European Commission presented Member States with the main findings and recommendations of the seven country reports last October in their ‘Enlargement Package’. While situations vary from country to country, the report noted limited progress in the enlargement process overall due to both the impact of the pandemic and ongoing delays and blockages in the enlargement process. It also noted a general stagnation in progress in the crucial areas of fundamental rights and rule of law.

While technically remaining the two front-runners in terms of EU accession, there is general agreement within both Council and Commission that both Serbia and Montenegro need to increase the dynamism in their reform agenda. Serbia needs to accelerate its reforms regarding fundamental rights and the rule of law, and make significant progress in the normalisation of relations with Kosovo. More recently it has been noted that a stronger showing of support for EU values will be needed if Serbia is to advance its accession process.

In Montenegro, more intensive efforts in relation to freedom of expression, media freedom and the fight against corruption and organised crime are required. I have also urged intensified dialogue among all parties in Montenegro to address those issues currently giving rise to tensions within the country.

Both North Macedonia and Albania have clearly fulfilled the conditions necessary to commence accession negotiations. In our view, shared almost unanimously within the Council, the negotiating frameworks for both countries should be agreed and Intergovernmental Conferences held as soon as possible to start the accession process.

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