§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what policy the European Union has on giving aid to Albania; and when he expects that such assistance will reach Albania.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe European Community programme of assistance to Albania started in 1991, initially in the form of humanitarian and food aid. It was extended in 1992 to include longer-term technical assistance under the PHARE programme and balance of payments support. The allocations for humanitarian and food aid have been fully disbursed together with the first tranche of balance of payments support. A further tranche of balance of payments support is expected to be agreed shortly. Approximately half the technical assistance so far committed under the PHARE programme has been disbursed.