Kosovo (Hansard, 14 July 1999)

§ 21. Mr. Robathan
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the aid which she plans to make available for the reconstruction of Kosovo. [89772]
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§ Clare Short
The EU, with the support of the World Bank, will assume leading responsibility for reconstruction within the overall UN-led civil implementation structure. They are co-ordinating damage and needs assessment and will organise donor conferences over the coming months to mobilise the necessary international effort. We contribute to EC funds and also intend to provide technical assistance to try to ensure that EC funds are well spent.

§ 24. Helen Jones
To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what measures her Department is taking to support reconstruction in Kosovo, with particular reference to assistance with mine clearance. [89776]

§ Clare Short
The EU, with the support of the World Bank, will assume responsibility for reconstruction within the overall UN-led civil implementation structure. They will organise donor conferences over the coming months to mobilise the international effort. We are working to ensure that the arrangements for managing EU assistance are effective.
We have already committed over £1.7 million in support of humanitarian mine actions and we are ready to do more through the United Nations Mine Action Co-ordination Centre (MACC) Kosovo programme.