§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has had from(a) Bulgaria, (b) Hungary and (c) Romania on the clearing of the Danube. [100088]
§ Mr. Vaz[holding answer 26 November 1999]: We are aware of, and share, the concerns of Bulgaria, Hungary and Romania about the blockages in the Danube caused by downed bridges at Novi Sad. The matter is currently under discussion within the Danube Commission at technical level, and within the EU. The last meeting of the General Affairs Council on 15 November confirmed the EU's willingness to provide the Danube states and the Danube Commission with active support in their efforts to devise and implement a solution, and that it was prepared to examine an EU contribution to the clearance on the Danube on the basis of proposals to be put forward by the Danube Commission.
The General Affairs Council also recalled however, that, under international law, the main responsibility for clearing the Danube lies with the FRY. It requested the Yugoslav authorities immediately and unconditionally to perform or allow the necessary clearance operations.