Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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119. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if European enlargement continues to be encouraged strategically; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40915/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Ireland has always been, and remains, a strong supporter of EU enlargement, provided that the candidate countries meet the necessary criteria for membership. We 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 illegal invasion of Ukraine, and the subsequent EU membership applications from Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia, have highlighted the geo-strategic importance of enlargement for the EU.

We are pleased to see renewed momentum in EU enlargement policy, following a period of regrettable stagnation. In June 2024, the first Intergovernmental Conferences were held with Ukraine and Moldova, marking the formal commencement of their accession negotiations. The screening of the acquis, to assess the compatibility of domestic and EU legislation, is now ongoing for both Ukraine and Moldova, and is expected to continue into mid-2025.

An Intergovernmental Conference with Montenegro also took place in June 2024, at which time the EU confirmed that Montenegro had fulfilled its interim benchmarks on rule of law and judicial reforms. Montenegro can now move ahead with the closure of additional negotiating chapters, which we hope will take place before the end of 2024. Montenegro’s progress is also a signal to the rest of the Western Balkans and demonstrates the EU’s commitment to the region’s future in our Union.

The Government’s decision to open new resident Embassies in Belgrade, Sarajevo and Chisinau in summer 2025 is a concrete demonstration of Ireland’s commitment to EU enlargement, as is the establishment under Budget 2024 of a new Enlargement and European Fundamental Values fund to support candidate countries as they prepare for future EU membership.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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120. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the current position in relation to new applications for European membership; the number outstanding for a specific period; when a decision is expected; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40916/24]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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There are currently nine candidate countries for EU membership.

Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia applied for EU membership in 2022. Ukraine and Moldova were granted candidate status in 2022, and accession negotiations were opened earlier this year. The screening of the acquis for both countries is continuing. Georgia was granted candidate status in 2023, although progress on its candidacy has halted due to backsliding by the Georgian government in several areas.

Bosnia-Herzegovina applied for EU membership in 2016 and was granted candidate status in 2022. Accession negotiations will be opened with Bosnia-Herzegovina once it meets a number of additional criteria.

Albania applied for EU membership in 2009 and was granted candidate status in 2014. Accession negotiations were opened in 2022. An Intergovernmental Conference with Albania will take place on 15 October 2024, at which point the first cluster of negotiating chapters (on the fundamentals) will be opened.

Serbia applied for EU membership in 2009 and was granted candidate status in 2012. It has opened 22 of 35 applicable chapters, and provisionally closed two.

Montenegro applied to join the EU in 2008, and was granted candidate status in 2010. It has opened all 33 applicable negotiating chapters, and provisionally closed three. It is hoped that Montenegro will close four more chapters by the end of 2024.

North Macedonia applied for EU membership in 2004, was granted candidate status in 2005, and accession negotiations were opened in 2022. North Macedonia is required to implement the bilateral Treaty of Friendship, Good-neighbourliness and Cooperation with Bulgaria before it can move to the next stage of the accession process.

Türkiye applied for EU membership in 1987 and was granted candidate status in 1999. Of 33 applicable chapters, Türkiye has opened 16 with one provisionally closed. Türkiye’s accession negotiations have been frozen since 2019.

In addition to the nine current candidate countries, Kosovo applied for EU membership in 2022. Its application remains under consideration, and Kosovo is classified as a potential candidate country.

The timeline for accession negotiations depends on the ability of the candidate countries to implement reforms required for EU membership and as such it would not be possible, at this stage, to set a firm timeline for future EU enlargement.