HC Deb 03 February 1999 vol 324 c653W
Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when NATO's standing Mediterranean force, Stanavformed, visited the Albanian port of Durres; and what was the purpose of the visit. [68803]

Mr. George Robertson

Elements of Standing Naval Force Mediterranean visited Dunes, Albania from 8 to 10 July 1998. The visit was a demonstration of co-operation within Partnership for Peace with Albania.

Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if NATO's partnership for peace activities in Albania and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia have been(a) fulfilled, (b) extended and (c) expanded. [68760]

Mr. George Robertson

NATO/Partnership for Peace (PfP) activities in Albania and Macedonia have expanded in line with NATO's wider efforts to stabilise Albania, Macedonia and regional security. The development of PfP Exercise Co-operative Best Effort 98 in Macedonia and PIP Exercise Co-operative Assembly 98 in Albania are two examples; as is the recent extension of the mandate and staff numbers of the NATO/PfP Co-ordination Cell in Albania. As part of an expanded series of expert team visits to both countries, the United Kingdom has contributed to a PfP logistics seminar in Macedonia and an Explosive Ordnance Disposal Training Team to Albania.