§ Baroness Lockwoodasked Her Majesty's Government:
What they are doing to ensure that the commitments agreed at the OSCE Istanbul Summit concerning Russian withdrawal from the Transdniestrian region of Moldova are met. [HL1818]
§ Baroness Ramsay of CartvaleHer Majesty's Government fully support the OSCE Istanbul Declaration on Moldova, which called for complete withdrawal of Russian troops, armaments and ammunition from Moldovan territory by the end of 2002. Her Majesty's Government regularly emphasise the need to comply with this agreement in our discussions with the Russians, Moldovans and Ukrainians (the latter as guarantors of the peace). The declaration agreed to consider the establishment of a voluntary fund for international assistance to facilitate the withdrawal. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has contributed £100,000 to this fund from its ASSIST budget.
An international needs assessment mission to explore the removal and destruction of the ammunition and armaments is negotiating for access to Transdniestria. The UK is planning to contribute military experts to this mission.