§ 2. Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of Greece's commitment to the policies of NATO and the European Union.
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. David Heathcoat-Amory)The Greek Government are committed to the policies of NATO and the European Union. [Laughter.]
§ Mr. WorthingtonWell. That raised a laugh.
Is not the Minister really as disturbed as I am that the President of the European Union and also a member of NATO should unilaterally impose a blockade on Macedonia; should undermine sanctions as much as it can; should have withdrawn airborne warning and communication systems crews from activities; and should be involved in or suspected of terrorist activity on the Albanian border? Is not the Minister really as concerned as I am that no obstacle will be put in the way of Serbia's pursuit of a greater Serbia by the Greek Government?
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryWe regret that Greece has imposed a trade embargo against the former Yugoslav republic of Macedonia. That issue is now to go to the European Court of Justice. I hope that Greece, particularly as it has the presidency during these six months, will reconsider its policies before the matter has to be resolved legally.
§ Mr. LidingtonDoes my hon. Friend agree that it is quite outrageous for Greece to be in receipt of large sums, effectively from British taxpayers, through EC cohesion funds, while the Greek Government are making an already dangerous situation in the Balkans still more unstable through this illegal and unwarranted embargo against Macedonia?
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryWe recognise that the situation in Macedonia is potentially unstable and threatens to get worse if the trade embargo persists. For those reasons, we support the action of the European Commission in taking the matter to court.
§ Mr. TrimbleSurely the action of the European Commission on this matter is inadequate. It is foolish to hang around waiting for the European Court of Justice, whenever it might come to consider the matter. Is not there a consistent pattern of action on the part of the Greek Government, who are clearly trying to destabilise their northern neighbour? Surely it is contrary to membership of the European Union for a member state to be trying to foment a war on its border, contrary to the policy of the Union—because that is the goal towards which Greek policy is clearly driving.
§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryWe have made our concerns known to the Greek Government in the clearest possible terms. We recognise the dangers inherent in the policy, but Cyrus Vance is pursuing mediation between the Macedonian and the Greek Governments, so it is possible that the matter under dispute may be resolved amicably before the court case becomes necessary.