HC Deb 23 March 2004 vol 419 cc670-1W
Mr. Soames

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he last met his European Union counterparts to discuss matters relating to the security situation in(a) Kosovo and (b) Serbia-Montenegro. [163223]

Mr. Hoon

I regularly meet my European Union counterparts to discuss defence matters, including those relating to the Balkans. In particular, I attended the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council on 17–18 November 2003, at which security issues in the Balkans were discussed.

Mr. Soames

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what representations he has received from the Government of Serbia-Montenegro regarding Prime Minister Kostunica's proposal for the deployment of Serbian forces to Kosovo. [163224]

Mr. Hoon

I discussed recent events in Kosovo with the Serbia and Montenegro Defence Minister, Boris Tadic. The issue of deploying Serbian troops to Kosovo was not raised.

Mr. Soames

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the extent to which the borders between(a) Kosovo and Albania and (b) Kosovo and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia are adequately secured; and who controls them. [163225]

Mr. Hoon

Responsibility for border control points in Kosovo is held by the Kosovo Police Service under the authority of the UN Interim Administration Mission In Kosovo (UNMIK). Responsibility for the territorial integrity of Kosovo, including adjacent to the border with Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), rests with KFOR. On the Macedonian side of the border, the responsibility for border crossing points rests with by the FYROM Border Police and for the rest of the border with the First Army Brigade. On the Albanian side of the Kosovo—Albanian border, the Albanian Police have responsibility for border control.

We assess that Kosovo's borders with both Albania and FYROM are adequately secured.

Mr. Soames

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the security situation in the Kosovo towns of(a) Mitrovica, (b) Orahovac and (c) Pristina. [163226]

Mr. Hoon

The security situation in Kosovo, including the towns of Mitrovica, Orahovac and Pristina, is calm following the violent events of last week. NATO, including KFOR forces on the ground, continues to monitor the situation.