European Union (Definition of Treaties) (Stabilisation and Association Agreement) (Bosnia and Herzegovina) Order 2010

I thank noble Lords for their contributions and for their support for the important treaty that we are moving towards. They have raised a number of questions that are of concern to us all in a candid and apposite way. It is important not to see the SAA as the completion of the journey or even the completion of the beginning of the journey, but as the beginning. I am therefore grateful for the support expressed that we should continue to offer encouragement to Bosnia and Herzegovina while at the same time setting out the conditionalities to be met. If it aspires to EU membership, it must meet the values that most countries would eagerly sign up to as a matter of pride. The noble Baroness asked about the referendum in Republika Srpska. We are deeply concerned about the ongoing ethnic and nationalist rhetoric in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and in particular the challenges made to the authority of the high representative as set out in the Dayton peace accord. It is important to state that we continue fully and strongly to support the high representative in his efforts to improve the functionality of the state and uphold the Dayton agreement. It is a view shared by our European partners and is a message that should be taken closely to heart by those in the country concerned. As I say, we want to encourage the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we are doing that by preparing them for integration. We urge on the one hand for the politicians in that country to find common ground and to make the compromises necessary to ensure further progress on the reform agenda, and on the other by supporting the high representative and EU special representative in facilitating progress. We believe that by sticking to the principles of a firm application of conditionality, the draw of EU integration can be used to drive reform forward in the country. We are prepared to fund and support a number of projects aimed at helping the country prepare itself for further EU integration, particularly by building capacity in key institutions and supporting civil society engagement in the political process. I was asked about the question of NATO membership. In December, NATO Foreign Ministers decided not to invite Bosnia and Herzegovina to join the membership action plan. We strongly support the country’s ambitions for NATO membership and we recognise that progress—impressive progress in some areas—has been made in defence reform, and emphasise regularly that the door remains open on individual partnership programme status and ultimately to membership. Again, though, it is important to remember the need for conditionality. We therefore support NATO’s decision because we believe that the credibility of Bosnia and Herzegovina’s application would be strengthened considerably by making progress in addressing concerns about levels of legal and political functionality and by resolution of the outstanding issues of allocation and the disposal of defence property. These are not minor issues by any means, given the degree of concern that they cause in that country. Another question was whether Bosnia’s neighbours are acting constructively. We believe that they are. I am certain that we have seen constructive action over recent months. The authorities in Serbia, Croatia and Montenegro all continue to underline their commitment to helping Bosnia and Herzegovina move forward. They are all signatories to the Dayton peace accord; as such, they are required to uphold the territorial integrity and constitutional structures of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and they have all reiterated that commitment. Good neighbourly relations are a key requirement for Serbia, Croatia and Bosnia themselves to make progress towards EU accession. The final point was about why this taken quite so long. Not least, there are the difficulties that we have in putting these things before Parliament; the question of scheduling for parliamentary progress in these matters has played not a small part in the delay—but we are here where we are. We have an important decision to make. I hope that I have been able to answer the noble Baroness’s and the noble Lord’s questions. This is about the UK fulfilling its role as a member of the EU, and the EU’s role as a source of stability. We believe that these are vital to the future peace of the western Balkans. The SAAs for the region are important building blocks in this regard. Ratification of this agreement will serve as a strong political message that the EU firmly supports the perspectives of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider region. I thank noble Lords for their contributions. Motion agreed.