§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development if she will make a statement on the withdrawal of her Department's emergency and conflict funds for Kosovo. [125000]
§ Mr. FoulkesAs Kosovo enters a new phase, with the bulk of the UK's programme of immediate humanitarian support completed, so our focus, along with the rest of the international community, has switched to longer term reconstruction and development. This year we have already committed £29 million in bilateral support for reconstruction; as part of this we are developing a technical assistance programme of £5 million to support institution and capacity building. In addition, we shall contribute around £39 million as our share of the EC's programme.
We will continue to monitor the humanitarian situation and will respond accordingly should a new emergency arise. We have committed an additional £8 million for humanitarian mine action this financial year and continue to support the work of the international relief agencies.