HC Deb 15 February 1994 vol 237 c685W
Mr. Barnes

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the United Kingdom's contribution to the European Commission's initiative, under the PHARE programme, for a Balkan customs corridor; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

There are no current plans under the PHARE programme for a Balkan customs corridor. PHARE is currently helping a number of countries neighbouring Serbia and Montenegro to improve their transport infrastructure and customs administration, with special emphasis on relieving bottlenecks at border crossings. Any proposals for a customs corridor would need to be consistent with the UN Security Council resolutions imposing sanctions on Serbia and Montenegro.

Some £43 million was committed to PHARE regional transport and customs programmes during 1992 and 1993. Around £25 million of this has been allocated specifically to assist border crossings. The United Kingdom's contribution to the PHARE programme is around 16 per cent.