§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what progress has been made in rebuilding the Balkans, with particular reference to the Serbian oil, chemical and motor manufacturing industry. [18197]
§ Mr. MacShaneThe Government together with EU partners are committed to rebuilding and developing the Balkans. Under the Community Assistance for Reconstruction, Development and Stabilisation regulation agreed by the Council of Ministers in December 2000, 4.65 billion euros of EU assistance has been allocated to the region for the period 2001–06.
The Serbian car, oil and chemical sectors have made progress since 1999. We understand that the Zastava car manufacturing plant aims to produce 7,500 vehicles in 2001 and has signed a four year export agreement with Syria. The Pancevo oil refinery now operates at full capacity and may exceed its current plans to refine 2.1 million tonnes of oil in 2001. The re-opening of the Danube to commercial traffic on 29 November 2001, will assist trade development in these commodities and goods from and to Serbia and the surrounding area.