§ Baroness Rawlingsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What representations they have received from the Podgorica government on easing the sanctions against Montenegro. [HL2187]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalMost EU sanctions in place against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia include exemptions in relation to Montenegro. We have not received any representations from the Djukanovic government on making further exemptions for Montenegro.
§ Baroness Rawlingsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will press the North Atlantic. Council to task the NATO military command formally to prepare contingency plans in case of escalation of the crisis in Montenegro. [HL2188]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe international community, including NATO, is keeping a close eye on developments in Montenegro. It would not be appropriate to comment on specific contingency planning.
§ Baroness Rawlingsasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are considering following Germany's lead in providing investment guarantees for companies prepared to invest in Montenegro. [HL2189]
199WA
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalOur bilateral programme provides assistance in agreed priority sectors. We do not provide investment guarantees. We are supporting the growth of the private sector by providing advice on the privatisation of state-owned enterprises.
§ Baroness Rawlingsasked Her Majesty's Government:
What bilateral support they have provided to Montenegro to advance stabilisation of the republic. [HL2190]
§ Baroness Scotland of AsthalThe UK has been providing technical assistance to the Montenegrins in the fields of public administration reform and privatisation and DfID has given grants to a number of NGOs to carry out humanitarian work in Montenegro. The UK has recently funded two media projects in Montenegro carried out by the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), at a total of £40,000. The UK has also contributed £50,000 towards the establishment of the Office of Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) office in Podgorica. The UK has also been carrying out an Independent Media and Civil Society Programme in Serbia and Montenegro which has provided £528,161 in assistance to Montenegrin organisations.