§ 17. Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of when a navigable route will be available along the Danube for the countries economically dependent on it; and if he will make a statement. [125220]
§ Mr. VazThe UK welcomed the proposal on 24 May by the European Commission for an EU contribution of up to 22 million euro to the International Fund for the Clearance of the Danube. This proposal followed a comprehensive examination of the technical issues associated with this project. The target date for the opening of a navigable channel at Novi Sad is spring 2001. Provided this timetable is met, work on the second phase of the project to restore the river-beds and banks would begin in summer 2001. We will work with the EU towards completing this work on time and in accordance with the EU sanctions regime.