§ Lord Russell-Johnstonasked Her Majesty's Government:
What steps they are taking under the Presidency of the European Union to reconsider the European Union's policy towards the problems in Kosovo in order to allow discussion of the option of Kosovo independence. [HL1039]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanIn addition to the action taken by the Presidency on Kosovo listed in the Answer I gave to the noble Lord, Lord Hylton, on 17 March (Official Report, col. WA189–90), the European Union agreed on 19 March a series of measures to put pressure on Belgrade to engage in genuine dialogue on Kosovo's status. These comprised an arms embargo, a refusal to supply equipment that might be used for internal repression or terrorism, a moratorium on export credit and a ban on visas for Serbian officials identified as having clear security responsibilities in Kosovo.
The European Union favours granting a large degree of autonomy to Kosovo within the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia but will support any settlement on Kosovo's status reached by mutual agreement.