§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received and what action he has taken regarding human rights abuses in Kosovo. [39323]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorWe have consistently expressed our concern about the treatment of ethnic Albanians in Kosovo in contacts at all levels with the Government of the Federal of Yugoslavia, FRY. The European Union declaration of 9 April 1996, on recognition by EU member states of the FRY, stated that the development of good relations between the EU and FRY, and the FRY's reintegration with the international community, would depend, inter alia, on full respect for human and minority rights and the granting of a large degree of autonomy for Kosovo within the FRY.
§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what is his policy in respect of opening a European Union office in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [39327]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorWe support a European Union presence in Kosovo. The form of any such presence would need to be agreed with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia authorities.
§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he has taken to ensure the return of Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe monitors to Kosovo. [39325]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorWe and our EU partners have stated publicly that an OSCE mission should be allowed to return to Kosovo. The Government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia are well aware that their participation in the OSCE is dependent on their co-operation in this matter.
327W
§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action has been taken by the European Council to act upon the declaration—conclusions of the presidency—of the European Council summit in Edinburgh on 10 to 12 December 1992 with regard to Kosovo. [39329]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorWe and other European Union member states have repeatedly expressed concern to Federal Republic of Yugoslavia authorities about the human rights position in Kosovo and urged them and the leaders of Albanian community in Kosovo to begin discussions about the restoration of the autonomy of Kosovo within the FRY. The EU declaration of 9 April 1996 made it clear that the development of good relations between the FRY and the EU, and the FRY's reintegration into the international community, were dependent on progress in these areas.
§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the consequences of Serbia's policy of resettling Serbian refugees in Kosovo. [39324]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorWe recognise that a resettlement of disproportionate numbers of Serbian refugees in Kosovo would add to tensions in the region. The office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees continues to monitor the situation closely.
§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with (i) Slobodan Milosevic and (ii) representatives of his regime on(a) human rights in Kosovo and (b) restoration of Kosovo's autonomy. [39328]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorWe are in frequent contact with President Milosevic and members of his Government. We consistently express concern about the human rights situation in Kosovo, and our support for the restoration of the autonomy of Kosovo within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had recently with (i) Ibrahim Rugova and (ii) Dr. Bujar Bukoshi on the situation in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [39322]
§ Sir Nicholas Bonsor(i) My right hon. and learned Friend the Foreign Secretary had a meeting with Dr. Rugova on 1 March during his visit to London.
(ii) None.
§ Mr. Austin-WalkerTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to open an office in Pristina. [39326]
§ Sir Nicholas BonsorThis issue is under consideration. No decisions have been taken. Any official UK presence in Kosovo would need to be agreed with the Government the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.