§ Mr. MaplesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what security guarantees have been provided by NATO to states in the Balkan region and their neighbours since the end of the Kosovo conflict; and if he will make a statement. [91228]
§ Mr. Tony LloydNo new security undertakings have been made by NATO to states in the Balkan region, nor to their neighbours, since the end of the Kosovo conflict. The Secretary General of NATO reiterated in his letter of 29 June to the Foreign Minister of Macedonia, Mr. Dimitrov that
291Wthe security of [Macedonia] remains of a direct and material concern to the Alliance".During the air campaign, Mr. Solana made clear in his letters to frontline Partner states that
it would be unacceptable for the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to threaten [their] territorial integrity, political independence or security".We are committed to promoting long-term security and stability throughout the Balkan region. We are working bilaterally, and with partners and Allies in the Stability Pact and NATO's South East Europe Initiative, to build democracy, security and mutual confidence among the countries of the region.