The Earl of Carlisleasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consider that the three Baltic states are former Soviet Union states as is now claimed by the Russian Government.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean)My Lords, the United Kingdom Government never recognised de jure the annexation of the Baltic states in 1940, although de facto they were a part of the Soviet Union from 1940 until 1991. We welcomed the restoration of the independence of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania in 1991 and considered them to be sovereign European states.
The Earl of CarlisleMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for her unambivalent and unambiguous reply. It will give great comfort to all 5 million people living in the Baltic states, whatever their ethnic origin. During the interim period before the states are brought into the Western institutions, will Her Majesty's Government use their influence with their NATO allies to see in what way they can enhance the security of the states? I ask Her Majesty's Government not to leave the United States of America to take the lead in this most important task.
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanMy Lords, Her Majesty's Government will certainly use what influence they have to ensure the security of the Baltic states. As the noble Earl knows, we already spend a great deal of money on the security of the Baltic states. At the Madrid Summit, NATO repeated its pledge that the door will remain open to further enlargement. Article 10 of the Washington Treaty states that the allies may, by unanimous agreement, decide to invite to join NATO any European country in a position to further NATO's principles and contribute to the security of the North Atlantic area.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyMy Lords, what help is being given by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and what additional help will the Minister consider giving to the three Baltic states to build up their civil society, without which they will be prey to many of the people still interested in their future who now reside in Russia?
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanMy Lords, the Baltic states are increasingly important partners to the United Kingdom both politically and commercially. Indeed, in 1996 United Kingdom exports to the Baltic states were £218 million—an increase of 83 per cent. on the previous year. Imports, at £606 million, rose by 33 per cent. on the previous year. In addition, the know-how fund has played an important role in the transition of the Baltic states and £7.3 million has been spent since the restoration of independence. The UK share of the EU PHARE spending is 16 per cent., £100 million being spent in 1995. The PHARE spending is, of course, the EU technical assistance programme.
§ Lord Dean of BeswickMy Lords, if the three states, as they obtain independence, are absorbed into NATO and NATO arms are stored there, will it not be the case that increasingly the view will be held in Russia that that is a threat and not an act of friendship?
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanMy Lords, there is no question of Russia having a veto over the rights of the Baltic states, or any other European country, to join NATO. The right of states to choose the means to ensure their own security was acknowledged in the NATO Russian Founding Act.
§ Lord MonkswellMy Lords, is it correct that people of Russian origin living in the Baltic states are deprived of the ability to stand for election and to vote in elections in those countries? What steps are the Government taking to ensure that all people living in those states are accorded the human right of standing for election and voting in elections?
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanMy Lords, the Government are indeed concerned that all minorities should enjoy full civic rights. But we welcome the progress made by Estonia in addressing the concerns of the Russian minorities. The OSCE and Council of Europe have confirmed that the allegations that were made in some parts of Russia of massive human rights abuses are unfounded. We look forward to further progress on that issue. The OSCE mission in Estonia and the OSCE High Commissioner for Minorities is doing very valuable work in monitoring the treatment of the minorities in Estonia. Her Majesty's Government wish that valuable work to continue.
§ Lord CockfieldMy Lords, what is the Government's reaction to the statement by Mr. Chernomyrdin last week that Russia wishes to join the European Union?
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanMy Lords, I believe that there are a number of countries which have said that they wish to join the European Union. It is interesting if they embrace the Russian Government also. I am sure that in due course the United Kingdom Government will give their view on that matter.
§ Lord CheshamMy Lords, will the Government confirm that they support the Baltic battalion for peace-keeping purposes and will they confirm their commitment to that within the Strategic Defence Review?
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanMy Lords, I am able to confirm the Government's commitment to the BaltBat arrangements.