§ Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if Her Majesty's Government support Croatian membership of the EU. [40013]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorCroatia has not applied for accession to the EU. Any application would need to be considered against the background at that time of Croatia's democratic stability and respect for human and civil rights, as well as her relations with other countries in the region.
§ Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his assessment of the current level of human rights abuse in Croatia. [40016]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorWe continue to receive reports of human rights abuses in Croatia, including killing of civilians. We condemn these atrocities. With our EU
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1989–90 1990–91 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 Albania — — — 0.030 0.361 0.723 Armenia — — — 0.014 0.025 0.079 partners, we will ensure that such reports are made available to the international tribunal on former Yugoslavia.
§ Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations have been made to the Government of Croatia in respect of human rights abuse and ethnic cleansing in Krajina. [40012]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorWe have condemned the human rights abuses in Krajina and called for the Serb refugees to be allowed to return to their homes if they so wish. Along with our EU partners we have repeatedly warned Croatia that its future relations with the EU are dependent on its respect for human rights and minorities.
§ Mr. GapesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on United Kingdom relations with Croatia. [40014]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorThe United Kingdom has a resident ambassador in Zagreb. We established diplomatic relations with Croatia in January 1992.