§ Sir Russell JohnstonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made towards the establishment of an association agreement between the European Union and Macedonia; what is the policy position of Her Majesty's Government with particular reference to the Greek stance; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. BaldryThe United Kingdom and other member states have urged an early solution to the bilateral dispute between the Macedonians and Greece. This would enable the EU to develop its relations with the Macedonians, for example by concluding a trade and co-operation agreement.
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§ Sir Russell JohnstonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is the position of Her Majesty's Government regarding the exclusion of Macedonia from the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe because of a Greek veto; and what representations he has made to the Greek Government.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe support Macedonia's immediate admission to the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe as a full participating state. We have expressed our concern at its exclusion repeatedly and will do so again at the meeting of CSCE heads of state and Government in Budapest on 5 to 6 December. The Greek Government are in no doubt about our position. We have urged them to lift their block.