§ Mr. SpringTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what meetings he has had since October regarding the future of Kosovo; and if he will make a statement on the result of the recent elections in the province. [16813]
§ Mr. MacShane[holding answer 22 November 2001]: The elections were a landmark in Kosovo's development as a multi-ethnic, democratic and tolerant society. I look forward to this diversity and tolerance being reflected in Kosovo's first truly democratic and representative Government.
The Assembly elections on 17 November, in which all of Kosovo's communities participated, took place peacefully. Both the Council of Europe observer mission, led by a British expert, Owen Masters, and the OSCE's Parliamentary Assembly delegation, led by my right hon. Friend the Member for Walsall, South (Mr. George), declared the elections free and fair.
According to preliminary results issued by the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the Democratic League of Kosovo (LDK) won 46.29 per cent. of the vote, the Democratic Party of Kosovo (PDK) won 25.54 per cent., the Serb coalition "Return" won 10.96 per cent. and the Alliance for the Future of Kosovo (AAK) received 7.82 per cent. Final results should be known by 24 November.
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