Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 2 July 2026
18. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps that her Department is taking to support Bosnia and Herzegovina's accession application to the EU, including in the context of the "Ireland for EU Enlargement" capacity-building programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50193/26]
Amharc ar fhreagra53. Deputy Roderic O'Gorman asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps that will be taken to advance Bosnia and Herzegovina's accession application to the EU in the context of Ireland's Presidency of the Council of the EU; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [50192/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 18 and 53 together.
Ireland strongly supports EU enlargement which is a priority for our EU Presidency.
Ireland was part of the first enlargement of the then European Economic Community in 1973 and we have benefitted enormously from our EU membership over the past fifty-three years. We believe that other European countries deserve the same opportunities, provided that they meet all necessary criteria.
Advancing Enlargement policy has taken on heightened priority for many EU Member States and the European Commission following Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. The further expansion of the EU and its values can further protect and strengthen the prosperity, security and democratic development of the European continent.
Bosnia and Herzegovina applied for EU membership in 2016 and was granted EU candidate status in December 2022. In order to advance on its EU accession path, Bosnia and Herzegovina must implement necessary reforms to adopt its negotiating framework, including the Law on the High Judicial and Prosecutorial Council and the Law on Courts, in line with EU standards. Bosnia and Herzegovina is also expected to appoint a Chief Negotiator to lead the country's accession negotiations.
Ireland strongly encourages Bosnia and Herzegovina to take these steps without further delay, and will continue to advocate for the country to grasp the current momentum on EU Enlargement to further progress reforms. In September 2025, Ireland opened a resident embassy in Sarajevo, a clear demonstration of the importance we place on the European perspective of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Ireland continues to support Bosnia and Herzegovina on their EU accession journey. Last year, my Department, through the EU Enlargement and Fundamental Values Fund, launched the three-year “Ireland for EU Enlargement” capacity-building programme which supports officials from candidate and potential candidate countries engaged in the EU accession process. This year, we welcomed seven officials from Bosnia and Herzegovina to participate in the programme, in addition to officials from all other countries of the Western Balkans, and Moldova and Ukraine.
