Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 May 2024
133. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the extent to which progress continues throughout the European institutions with a view to ensuring continued security and peace in the Western Balkans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21127/24]
View answerLying at the heart of Europe, and surrounded by EU Member States, continued peace and security in the Western Balkans is of strategic importance to the European Union and its Member States, including Ireland. Given the wider geo-political situation, particularly in Ukraine and the Middle East, we can ill-afford any insecurity in the Western Balkans.
I am extremely proud of the contribution that members of the Irish Defence Forces have made, and continue to make, in the region’s two peacekeeping missions, the NATO-led Kosovo Force (KFOR) and the European Union Force in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Operation Althea). These missions are vital to ensuring peace and stability throughout the entire region.
The European Union and its institutions expend great effort to promote reconciliation, cooperation and integration across the Western Balkans. The EU-facilitated Belgrade-Pristina Dialogue is the only vehicle through which to achieve normalisation of relations between Kosovo and Serbia. It ensures regular dialogue between the two sides, to seek practical solutions to emerging issues. Both sides now need to take clear action to swiftly implement the provisions of the Brussels and Ohrid agreements.
In Bosnia-Herzegovina, the EU works closely with all stakeholders to advance the country’s EU perspective. In recognition of the efforts of the new government to advance EU reforms, the European Commission decided in March 2024 to open EU accession negotiations with Bosnia-Herzegovina. This was a historic decision, and a concrete demonstration of the EU’s commitment to Bosnia-Herzegovina’s future within the EU, which is the clear aspiration of the majority of Bosnians. The EU has been strongly critical of regressive steps on fundamental rights in the Republika Srpska entity, which risk jeopardising the progress being made at state level, and destabilising the country as a whole. The Council of the EU also adopted an assistance measure in December 2022 worth €10 million to the benefit of the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH). This decision was part of the EU’s work to further strengthen its security engagement with its Western Balkan partners.
The EU and its institutions remain deeply committed to peace and stability across the Western Balkans. The future of the Western Balkans lies within the European Union.
