§ Mr. HowardTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Kosovo. [65682]
§ Mr. Tony LloydThe OSCE-led Kosovo Verification Mission (KVM) has already demonstrated its ability to make real difference to the situation on the ground by negotiating local ceasefires in Podujevo during the 257W Christmas weekend and playing an instrumental role in negotiations concerning the release of 8 Yugoslav soldiers seized by the UCK on 8 January. There are currently 745 KVM personnel on the ground in Kosovo, 110 of whom are British.
It is crucial that the ceasefire be maintained. We are concerned at the rising tensions in recent weeks, with provocations from both sides. We have called on both sides to show restraint and pursue their objectives through negotiations.
The UK is pressing for rapid progress on the political track which alone can tackle the roots of the problem, and fully supports the efforts of US Envoy Ambassador Chris Hill and EU Special Envoy Ambassador Petritsch. This is not a conflict which either side can win militarily, and now above all is the time for the Government in Belgrade and the leaders of the Kosovo Albanians to show the courage and vision to engage seriously in negotiations with direct international involvement.