§ Mr. WareingTo ask the President of the Board of Trade what contacts his Department has had with Belgrade with a view to promoting British trading interests since the official recognition of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. [27968]
§ Mr. Nelson[holding answer 7 May 1996]: The Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was recognised officially on 9 April, but my Department began promoting actively British interest in the market on 22 November, when UN trade sanctions were suspended. Officials had discussions on promoting UK-Federal Republic of Yugoslavia trade with senior ministers in Belgrade in December. My Department has prepared information on the market which it sends out to interested companies; it also worked closely with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in arranging the mission of senior business executives which my hon. Friend the Minister of State at the Foreign Office led to Belgrade in February. A trade mission from Montenegro will be visiting the UK in July and there are plans for a major event in London to promote trade with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. In taking such measures, and others, to promote British interests my Department has been working closely with the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia embassy in London and the British embassy in Belgrade.