§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he wi11 make a statement on the security situation in the Kosovo towns of(a) Mitrovica, (b) Orahovac and (c) Pristina. [163393]
§ Mr. StrawKosovo Force (KFOR) reports that the situation in these towns is calm but tense. We have called upon all the leaders in Kosovo and Belgrade to show restraint and use their influence to calm the situation. It is important that they continue to work with KFOR and the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo to build a stable, democratic and multi-ethnic Kosovo.
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the future of Kosovo within a Serbia-Montenegro federation. [163394]
§ Mr. StrawOur policy on Kosovo is based on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1244 (1999) and the UN endorsed review process of agreed standards, launched in December 2003. As part of this there will be a formal review of Kosovo's progress in meeting the agreed standards in mid 2005. If it were positive, but only if, it could allow a process to begin to determine Kosovo's future status.
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the reconstruction programme required in Kosovo; and if he will make a statement. [163395]
§ Mr. StrawThe UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo, the Kosovo Provisional Institutions of Self-Government (PISG) and the NATO Force for Kosovo are in the process of assessing the damage caused by the recent violence and. the extent of the reconstruction programme required. The PISG has announced the allocation of Kosovo funds to rebuild Serb Churches and homes.
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§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from the Serbia and Montenegro Government regarding Prime Minister Kostunica's proposal for the cantonisation of Kosovo. [163396]
§ Mr. StrawWe have received no such representations from Serbia and Montenegro. However, on a number of occasions since taking office on 3 March 2004, Serbian Prime Minister Kostunica has stated publicly his Government's preference for the decentralisation of Kosovo through entities or cantons to ensure the security of the Serb community in Kosovo.
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's policy is on the Kosovo Serbs' proposal regarding establishment of Serb enclaves within Kosovo. [163397]
§ Mr. StrawWe are not aware of any formal proposal by the Kosovo Serbs regarding establishment of Serb enclaves within Kosovo.
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he last met his counterparts from other EU member states to discuss matters relating to the security situation in(a) Kosovo and (b) Serbia and Montenegro. [163398]
§ Mr. AncramTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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. [163399]
§ Mr. StrawResponsibility for border control points in Kosovo is held by the Kosovo Police Service under the authority of the UN Interim Administrative Mission in Kosovo. Responsibility for the border security of Kosovo, including adjacent to the border with Albania and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, rests with the NATO-led Kosovo Force. On the Macedonian side of the border, responsibility for border crossing points rests with the Macedonian Border Police, and for the rest of the border with the First Army Brigade. On the Albanian side of the border, the Albanian Police are responsible for border control. We assess that Kosovo's borders with both Albania and Macedonia are adequately secured.