Yugoslavia (Hansard, 14 November 2000)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Scotland of Asthal)
My Lords, since my last Statement to the House on 10th October, I am delighted to say that the federal government of President Kostunica have consolidated their position further and taken important steps towards full integration into the international community. Her Majesty's Government will continue to encourage that process.
We welcome the comprehensive revision of the EU sanctions regime and the announcement of a significant EU assistance package. A bilateral programme of urgent humanitarian aid and technical assistance is under way and we look forward to an early restoration of diplomatic relations. We are working close with the EU and international partners to provide political and economic assistance to the new government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.

§ Lord Blaker
My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Baroness for that comprehensive reply. Will the Government consider setting up between this country and Yugoslavia an annual series of conferences modelled on the Königswinter conferences between Germany and this country which have existed ever since the Second World War? Is the noble Baroness aware that those conferences have included leading people from politics, the media, academia, business, the arts and other opinion-forming sectors of our population? They have been extremely successful in the early years in helping Germany back to democracy and, in the later years, in cementing the relations between this country and Germany.

§ Baroness Scotland of Asthal
My Lords, I should say straightaway to the noble Lord that I join with him in underlining the importance of the Königswinter conferences and agree that they have brought many benefits. But in relation to Yugoslavia, I should say that the imminent restoration of diplomatic relations between the United Kingdom and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia will be the first of many events along the way to rebuilding the traditionally close links between our two countries.
131 We are also working with our European Union partners and playing an extremely active role in the Stability Pact. We shall continue to explore all possibilities of dialogue with the FRY on key issues.

§ Lord Harrison
My Lords, will my noble friend advise us of the success or otherwise of last week's trade delegation to the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, led by Richard Caborn?

§ Baroness Scotland of Asthal
My Lords, I can certainly do that. I am pleased to say that that visit was extremely successful. Richard Caborn was able to demonstrate that the United Kingdom is being a genuine and practical partner in the FRY. The democratisation and the economic development of the FRY is a matter of great importance. The Minister was able to announce a £1.2 million package of assistance to help in the spheres of energy, health, waste disposal and water supplies. My honourable friend the Minister announced also the bond scheme which will provide young professionals with the opportunity of work experience in the United Kingdom.

§ Baroness Williams of Crosby
My Lords, apart from supporting the interesting idea put forward by the noble Lord, Lord Blaker, I commend the Government and the European Union on the speed with which they have lifted sanctions and on the excellence of their proposals under the Balkan Stability Pact with regard to Yugoslav municipalities, which I understand led to an ovation for the representatives of the European Union compared with silence for the American delegation who offered no concrete aid. Can the Minister tell the House whether one of the first fruits of that much more constructive and helpful approach is the willingness of the new government of Serbia to support the clearing of the Danube?

§ Baroness Scotland of Asthal
My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for the compliments that she rightly pays to the efforts made by the European Union. I agree with her that the new approach towards the clearing of the Danube is certainly a clear benefit that has already arisen as a result of the change in the regime in the federal republic.

§ Lord Hylton
My Lords, I welcome the Minister's reply to the noble Lord, Lord Blaker. Does she agree that the former Yugoslavia is yet another example of a failed federation? After four ghastly wars, is it not time that the component parts of that federation were allowed to exercise self-determination?

§ Baroness Scotland of Asthal
My Lords, that is a matter for the people of the federal republic. They have lived through the tragic history and now they have to heal the wounds. They have to come to a democratic resolution of the difficulties that are presented by their various peoples. Her Majesty's Government feel that it is important that the federal republic has taken the first material step along that democratic path for change and are certainly hopeful 132 that the conversations between the peoples of the federal republic, which once were difficult, will now take place more easily.

§ Lord Howell of Guildford
My Lords, following that question from the noble Lord, Lord Hylton, does the noble Baroness agree that the future of Kosovo forms part of the picture? Three strategies or plans are being floated for that future: first, that it should remain with Serbia; secondly, that it should form part of a looser and autonomous body within a confederation; and thirdly, that it should become independent. What is the policy of Her Majesty's Government?

§ Baroness Scotland of Asthal
My Lords, I am sure that my noble friend would not like me to nail my colours to any mast. It will be for the peoples of the federal republic—Kosovo is still part of that republic—to determine which way they go. The success of the municipal elections paves the way for Kosovo-wide elections next year, in accordance with UNSCR1244 provision on the development of self-governing institutions in Kosovo. The timing of those elections will be of importance and that has not yet been decided.
As noble Lords will know, UNSCR1244 was part of the FRY. The final status of Kosovo is a matter for future discussion. A democratic government in Belgrade offers the prospect of serious constructive dialogue between the Serb and Albanian communities in Kosovo and both sides must now consider the future status. However, with respect, that is not the issue addressed by the Question.

§ Viscount Waverley
My Lords, following on from Mr Caborn's visit, what will be the future policy of ECGD and to what extent does DfID see itself engaged locally in warding off a looming humanitarian crisis this winter?

§ Baroness Scotland of Asthal
My Lords, I am pleased to be able to inform the House that the Department for International Development announced last week a £10 million assistance package for Serbia which includes humanitarian assistance and technical assistance. Noble Lords will know that DfID was responsible for sending a fact-finding mission which identified five key areas: macro-economic advice, aid co-operation, civil service restructuring, privatisation strategy and banking reform. So the United Kingdom can begin to implement technical assistance programmes and experts have remained in Serbia to continue that work.
There is also a DTI mission which has been exploring the scope of inward investment in key sectors such as power distribution and petroleum and your Lordships will know that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office has co-ordinated a 133 £2.5 million programme of support for democratisation in the FRY over the past 12 months. Much is being done and we shall continue to do all that we can to assist.

§ Baroness Turner of Camden
My Lords, I welcome the enormously helpful and constructive statement that my noble friend has made this afternoon. As a result of the war there are enormous refugee problems. Can she tell the House to what degree the humanitarian assistance will help in that regard?

§ Baroness Scotland of Asthal
My Lords, as I have already said, the Department for International Development has announced a £10 million package of humanitarian assistance. It has been most important to identify the ambit of assistance needed and where it should most properly be targeted. That is being done as quickly and as efficiently as possible. The Department for International Development continues to examine the position. The package is one of immediate humanitarian assistance, but I can reassure the House that Her Majesty's Government will continue to assess the position and, in due course, will seek to take all possible steps to assist.