§ 17. Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what plans she has to maintain and expand assistance for the development and reconstruction of civil society and political structures in(a) Kosovo, (b) Macedonia and (c) Montenegro. [100364]
§ Clare ShortAs part of our strategy to move from emergency and humanitarian support in Kosovo to longer-term assistance, we plan to assist with elections planned for next year (including arrangements for civil registration), promote the protection of civil and political rights and encourage the development of local civil society.
In Macedonia, we are planning to strengthen the capacity of government and civil society to design and deliver effective social policies. We are currently supporting citizen's advice and information services.
In Montenegro, we are exploring ways to build the capacity of civil society.
§ 28. Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if, when she last met her colleagues from other member states of the European Union, they discussed matters relating to the funding of aid projects in Kosovo and Serbia. [100375]
§ Clare ShortI have not discussed the funding of aid projects in Kosovo and Serbia with EU colleagues recently. However, there are regular meetings at official level.
Most recently the second donors' conference for Kosovo held in Brussels on 17 November pledged over $1 billion towards a programme of reconstruction and recovery. On Serbia, our position and that of the European Union is that, as long as Milosevic remains in power, we are only prepared to provide humanitarian assistance.