Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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108. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current position in regard to European Union enlargement; the progress from the point of view of the applicant countries; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27797/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has always been, and will remain, a strong supporter of EU enlargement, provided that the candidate countries meet the necessary requirements for membership. We firmly believe that it is through EU membership that peace and prosperity can best be ensured across our continent. Furthermore, the change in geopolitical circumstances brought about by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and the subsequent applications from Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia for EU membership, highlighted the importance of the enlargement process for the EU.

We continue to see concrete steps being taken with regards to a number of candidate countries. In December 2023, the EU decided to open accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova, on the basis of reforms enacted. Following evidence of continued progress on reforms, negotiating frameworks for both countries were agreed in early June, and the first Intergovernmental Conferences with both countries took place in Luxembourg on 25 June. As well as marking the formal commencement of accession negotiations, the Intergovernmental Conferences sent important signals about the EU’s commitment to the future of Ukraine and Moldova in our Union.

In the Western Balkans, the European Council decided to open accession negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina in March 2024, and the negotiating framework will be adopted once Bosnia-Herzegovina has completed some additional steps. The 16th Intergovernmental Conference with Montenegro took place in Brussels on 26 June, at which the EU confirmed that Montenegro had fulfilled its interim benchmarks on rule of law and judicial reforms. With those interim benchmarks now met, Montenegro can move ahead with the closure of additional negotiating chapters, allowing it to consolidate its position as accession front-runner. Hopefully Montenegro’s success will serve as an inspiration to the rest of the Western Balkans, proving the EU’s commitment to the region’s EU perspective.

The Government’s decision to open new resident Embassies in Belgrade, Sarajevo and Chisinau is a concrete demonstration of Ireland’s commitment to EU enlargement, and to supporting candidate countries as they prepare for future EU membership.