§ Sir Russell JohnstonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy regarding financial and practical assistance to Romania, Hungary and Bulgaria in consequence of sanctions against Serbia; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe effect of sanctions against former Yugoslavia on neighbouring states is difficult to quantify. Assistance is best directed at helping their economies adapt to their changed circumstances. In our view, the international financial institutions, especially the International Monetary Fund, are best placed to assess the damage caused by sanctions and take account of it in their programmes. Romania and Bulgaria have active programmes with the IMF. We also support other multilateral and bilateral efforts, including those of the United Kingdom's know-how fund, aimed at assisting the change to a market economy.