§ Mr. Tony LloydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the situation in Macedonia with respect to recent inter-communal violence. [153593]
§ Mr. Vaz[holding answer 13 March 2001]: I last spoke to the Macedonian Foreign Minister on 2 March, when I expressed our deep concern over the occupation of the Macedonian village near the Kosovo border by a group of Albanian extremists. I also commended the restraint shown by the Macedonian Government. On 12 March the Prime Minister wrote to President Trajkovski to express support for the Macedonian Government. I welcome the robust action taken by NATO and KFOR, not only in tightening control over the Kosovo side of the border but also in strengthening co-ordination with the Macedonian Government.