§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many applications he has received from citizens of the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia for visas to visit the United Kingdom in each of the past three years. [100323]
§ Mr. VazThe information requested is not collected centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the development of the United Kingdom's relations with the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia since the conclusion of the war in Kosovo. [100325]
§ Mr. VazWe warmly welcomed the support given by the Macedonian Government and people during the Kosovo crisis, and we continue to work to strengthen our bilateral relations. We also welcome the opportunities provided for closer co-operation through the Stability Pact and look forward to an early start on negotiations for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Macedonia and the European Union. We have encouraged the Macedonian Government in their preparation of a NATO Membership Action Plan.
§ Mr. WorthingtonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans he has to allow the British Embassy in the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to issue visitors visas for the United Kingdom. [100324]
§ Mr. VazThe British Embassy in Skopje will begin accepting applications for visitor visas as soon as new purpose-built premises are ready. On present plans this is likely to be around the middle of 2000.