HC Deb 26 October 1994 vol 248 cc670-1W
Mr. David Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the presence of Russian forces in Moldova, Georgia and Armenia.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Our policy is that Russian troops should be stationed in another former Soviet Union country only with the consent of that country's Government, and in accordance with the provisions of the conventional armed forces in Europe treaty.

We welcome the signature of an agreement between the Moldovan and Russian Governments which establishes a timetable for the withdrawal of the Russian 14th army. The Russian peacekeeping troops in Moldova, which are separate from the 14th Army, are present with the consent of the Moldovan Government.

In Georgia and Armenia, Russian troops are also present with the consent of the host Government.

Mr. David Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is Her Majesty's Government's policy on the conditions for peacekeeping under the Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe auspices in the Caucasus.

Mr. Douglas Hogg

Arrangements to consolidate and monitor the ceasefire in Nagorno—karabakh, including the mandate of any peacekeeping force, and move on to negotiations for a peaceful settlement, are being discussed within the CSCE. We attach considerable importance to the principles on peacekeeping agreed by CSCE Foreign Ministers at their meeting in Rome in December 1993.

Back to
Forward to