The Baltic States: Policy (Hansard, 22 May 1997)

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, British policy is: to support the sovereignty and independence of the Baltic states; to encourage them to continue political and economic reform; to reinforce Baltic links with western countries and institutions; to encourage regional stability, including improved relations with Russia; and to promote bilateral trade and investment.

The Earl of Carlisle
My Lords, I thank the Minister for her Answer and I congratulate her on her position in Her Majesty's Government, which I hope will be long, successful and rewarding.
The present Government have been in power for only three weeks and have not had time to fashion a more progressive policy. Will they use their increasing influence at the heart of Europe to press at the Intergovernmental Conference for the early inclusion of the three Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania—in the European Union? Will the Government consult urgently with their NATO colleagues to try to find ways in which the security of the three Baltic states can be enhanced?

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, the noble Earl has asked two supplementary questions: one about EU membership and one about NATO membership. The Government are a strong supporter of enlargement of the European Union. We believe that that will entrench stability and prosperity across Europe; end historic divisions and bring about practical benefits such as increasing the single market to nearly 500 million consumers. Member states will take a decision towards the end of this year on the readiness of the Baltic states and other countries for EU membership, taking into account the opinions of the European Commission which are expected in July.
As regards NATO membership, the Government will not take final decisions on candidates until nearer the date of the Madrid Summit, which is on 8th and 9th July. As the NATO enlargement study makes clear, we shall need to consider both the credentials of individual countries and the wider security background.
498 But I stress to the noble Earl that in any event NATO is determined that security of those countries not invited to join should not be diminished by the Madrid decisions.

Lord Bruce of Donington
My Lords, will my noble friend indicate what are the express views of the Commission so far with regard to its agreement or otherwise to the policies which she outlined in answer to the original Question?

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, I am afraid that I shall have to write to my noble friend on that point.

Viscount Cranborne
My Lords, will the noble Baroness confirm that if and when the three Baltic states apply to become members of the European Union, their applications will be treated separately rather than en bloc? Secondly, can she tell the House anything about the current situation in Narua in Estonia where, as I am sure she knows, there is a very substantial Russian population, which is a potential flashpoint between the two countries?

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, the applications of the three countries will be considered separately. As regards the second matter which the noble Viscount raised, the Government welcome the progress made in Estonia in addressing the anxieties of the Russian minorities, but further progress on that very difficult question is required.

§ Lord Hooson
My Lords, perhaps I may go back to the second supplementary question asked by my noble friend Lord Carlisle which the noble Baroness may have slightly misunderstood. I did not understand my noble friend to suggest that the Baltic states should become part of NATO but he is concerned about enhancing the security of the Baltic states and about consultation with NATO partners as to how that is to be achieved. It might be achieved if there were consultation with Russia about it as that would be an essential part of a security agreement.

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, I did understand the terms of the question but I apologise to the House if I did not make myself clear. We are determined that the security of those countries which are not invited to join NATO should not be diminished by the Madrid decisions. We wish to enhance co-operation with non-members of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and the Partnership for Peace.

§ Lord Ewing of Kirkford
My Lords, as regards bringing the Baltic states into the European institutions, what is the relationship at present between the three Baltic states referred to and the Council of Europe on the one hand and the Western European Union on the other hand? Is there any relationship between those three Baltic states and those two European institutions?

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, I am afraid that I shall have to give the answer of a new Minister in a new Government and say that I shall write to my noble friend on those matters.

Lord Renton
My Lords, I visited Estonia between the wars when it was independent. Estonia is the smallest and most vulnerable of the Baltic states. Will the Government bear in mind the need not only to ensure the defence of Estonia but also to persuade the Russian Government that infiltration must be brought to an end?

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, I am sure that the Government will wish to do as the noble Lord suggests. Indeed, referring back to the historic links with Estonia, the Government are very much looking forward to the UK playing a full part in celebrating the 80th anniversary of Estonian and Latvian independence next year in the light of the Royal Navy's role in that independence in 1918.

§ The Earl of Sandwich
My Lords, does the Minister agree that there are many in this House who welcome the new emphasis on enlargement? Will the Minister agree further that, as regards public debate, it is now surely time to shift our attention from the common currency question to that much more fundamental question?

§ Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean
My Lords, I do not believe that the Government see the two questions as being mutually exclusive. The question of enlargement is important as, indeed, is the question of a common currency.