HL Deb 22 July 1996 vol 574 c87WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the Secretary General of NATO was accurately reported as stating that Albania was an early candidate for NATO membership, if so, whether he had been explicitly authorised to make such a statement; and if so, what is the status of that statement in the light of the reports on the conduct of the recent elections in Albania from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) observers.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

We are not aware that the Secretary General of NATO has made such a statement.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What information they have received about (a) the recent elections in Albania; and (b) the implications of the bilateral US-Albania military agreement for NATO and for the Implementation Force (IFOR).

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

We are deeply concerned by the criticisms contained in the OSCE/ODHIR report on the recent Albanian elections. The election process appears to have been seriously flawed. We shall work with our partners to establish a dialogue between the government and opposition with the aim of their agreeing steps to restore confidence in the democratic process.

The bilateral US-Albania military agreement is a matter for the countries concerned. It is entirely separate from NATO and the Implementation Force.