Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland is a strong supporter of EU membership for the countries of the Western Balkans, provided that they meet the necessary conditions for membership. We recognise the value of enlargement as a transformative driver for stability and peace in the Western Balkans. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the clear need for continuing, ever-closer cooperation between the EU and our partners in the Western Balkans.

Montenegroand Serbiaare the two Western Balkans countries furthest along in the accession process. Montenegro has opened all 33 chapters which apply to them, and provisionally closed three. Following parliamentary elections in June, a process of government formation is on-going. I hope to see a government formed soon, which will take forward with renewed energy Montenegro’s reform agenda. Serbia has opened 22 of 35 chapters, and provisionally closed two. As I emphasised to Prime Minister Brnabic when she visited Ireland in April, we expect candidate countries to demonstrate their commitment to EU values, including through full alignment with CFSP. Progress in the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue is also essential in order to advance Serbia’s candidacy.

Accession negotiations opened with Albaniaand North Macedoniain July 2022. The screening of the acquis is almost complete, setting the stage for the first cluster of negotiating chapters to open. North Macedonia has yet to amend its constitution to recognise its Bulgarian minority, in line with a 2022 agreement, which is a requirement to advance their candidacy. I hope a resolution to this issue can be found quickly, so as to avoid any unnecessary delays to their accession process.

Bosnia-Herzegovinawas granted candidate status in December 2022. The government has made positive progress in recent months to address the 14 key recommendations set out by the Commission. I encourage political leaders in Bosnia-Herzegovina to continue to advance those reforms. I remain seriously concerned over secessionist rhetoric and steps to restrict media and civil society in Republika Srpska, which are fundamentally at odds with EU values.

Kosovoformally applied for EU membership in December 2022. As is the case with Serbia, Kosovo’s European perspective will be significantly determined by progress in the normalisation of relations through the Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue. In that context, we have joined EU partners in expressing serious concern at the heightened tensions in northern Kosovo, and fully condemned the most recent attacks on Kosovo Police officers.