HL Deb 19 June 1991 vol 530 c17WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they will propose that the European Community should make available substantial aid to the Soviet Union, on condition that the independence of the Baltic Republics be unconditionally recognised by the Soviet Union.

The Earl of Caithness

We and our EC partners continue to pay close attention to events in the Baltic Republics. We have made clear to the Soviet Government that we regard the honouring of the principles of the CSCE, which have direct relevance to the legitimate aspirations of everyone in the Soviet Union, as an essential foundation for closer co-operation.

The EC has already undertaken to provide some £805 million-worth of food and technical assistance to the Soviet Union. We believe that this will contribute to the process of reform.