HL Deb 17 December 1996 vol 576 c111WA
Lord Avebury

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What measures will be taken by them, either alone or with the European Union or the OSCE, regarding the annulment of 33 election victories for opposition candidates in the capital of Serbia, Belgrade, by the First Municipal Court, whose chairman, Dragoljub Jankovic, has promoted the cause of the Yugoslav United Left on television, and the rejection of an appeal to the Supreme Court against the decision by the City Election Commission and the Together Coalition.

Lord Chesham

We and our EU partners have made clear our serious concern about the situation in Serbia following the annulment of a number of the 17th November municipal election results. As the Dublin European Council conclusions state, respect for human and democratic rights will be a key factor in determining the European Union's future relationship with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). The EU has decided to freeze the award of autonomous trade concessions to the FRY.

We note the invitation from the FRY Government to the OSCL to send a delegation to examine the results and hope a mission will visit Belgrade soon.

Forward to