§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What was their reaction to the news of 7 June of Russian concern about NATO's military plans for Kosovo, which had been articulated without Russian participation. [HL3070]
§ Lord GilbertNATO and Her Majesty's Government have consistently sought Russian participation in the international peacekeeping force in Kosovo and welcome the recently negotiated agreement on Russian participation in KFOR. NATO and Russia have worked together successfully in the past in Bosnia, and we look forward to further co-operation in Kosovo.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
How much of the discussion about Russia's role in Kosovo is being conducted bilaterally between the United States and Russia and how much between the participants in the Kosovo operation collectively and Russia. [HL3071]
§ Lord GilbertThe arrangements for Russian participation approved by the North Atlantic Council on 21 June were negotiated between Russian and US representatives in Helsinki. NATO officials were present. These negotiations were preceded by a wide range of discussions about Russia's role in KFOR, both among NATO members and between individual member states and Russia. In addition, discussions took place in theatre between the Commander KFOR and the Commander of the Russian force at Pristina airfield over the arrangements governing the integration of the force. Subsequent consultations between NATO and Russia. on Kosovo will be carried out through the Permanent Joint Council. Copies of the agreement on Russia's participation in KFOR will be placed in the Library of the House.