Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what representations they are making to the government of the Republic of Serbia regarding the Declaration on the Protection of National and Political Rights and the Common Future of the Serbian People of June 2024, with particular regard to the potential impact of Sections 16 and 17 in terms of Srebrenica genocide denial.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has underlined with Serbia's government, including President Vučić, our concerns about June's "All Serb Assembly" and the subsequent Declaration. Events in Srebrenica were genocide, as confirmed by the International Court of Justice. The verdicts handed down are against individuals; no one ethnicity bears responsibility for the crimes committed during the conflict. Genocide denial is abhorrent and must end. Building a stable, prosperous and inclusive future for all citizens in the region requires acknowledgement of the facts. The UK encourages regional co-operation on reconciliation efforts and in finding ways to heal wounds and work together towards a shared future.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their position on the sanctioning of individuals involved in issuing the Declaration on the Protection of National and Political Rights and the Common Future of the Serbian People of June 2024 as part of its Bosnia and Herzegovina sanctions regime.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is committed to supporting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and multi-ethnic character of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro. The UK assesses that elements of the language used in the Declaration risk undermining those principles. We do not speculate on future designations.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have held discussions with the Republic of Serbia regarding the Declaration on the Protection of National and Political Rights and the Common Future of the Serbian People of June 2024; and, if so, what was the outcome of those discussions.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK has underlined with Serbia's leadership concerns about the "All Serb Assembly" in June and the subsequent Declaration. The UK consistently emphasises at senior levels the importance of Serbia's role in building and supporting regional stability; Minister Doughty did so most recently in October meetings with Foreign Minister Djuric and the Serbian Ambassador in London. We encourage Serbia to adhere to the commitments made by all Western Balkans leaders at the 2018 London Summit on good neighbourly relations.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they consider the Declaration on the Protection of National and Political Rights and the Common Future of the Serbian People of June 2024 to represent a threat to the sovereignty of (1) Bosnia and Herzegovina, (2) Kosovo, or (3) Montenegro.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is committed to supporting the sovereignty, territorial integrity and multi-ethnic character of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo and Montenegro. The UK assesses that elements of the language used in the Declaration risk undermining those principles. In engagement with political leaders in the Western Balkans, the UK consistently promotes the need for constructive regional relationships and cautions against actions or statements that risk increasing tensions or stoking division.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they have taken to support flood relief efforts in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Minister of State for Europe, North America and the Overseas Territories contacted the Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) Foreign Minister on 5 October, expressing condolences for the loss of life and damage caused by flooding and landslides. On 4 and 5 October, British search and rescue specialists (in BiH as a short-term training team) provided advice and expertise to BiH armed forces and emergency services on the ground. Our Ambassador to BiH visited the worst affected sites on 5 October, meeting UK advisers and local mayors. We are considering, with BiH authorities and international partners, how we might support further.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current security situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Western Balkans, and of the extent of Russian influence in the region.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Instability in the Western Balkans undermines regional security and economic growth. Ministers are engaging with Western Balkan leaders to promote stability and prosperity, including in my meeting in July with the Bosnian Presidency Chair, Denis Becirovic, and the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary's engagement with regional leaders at the European Political Community and NATO Summits. The UK is also working with European and US allies to strengthen collective engagement. Across the region, Russia uses disinformation and other hybrid techniques to undermine sovereignty and democracy. Through UK programmes and policy, we are actively building resilience to counter this interference.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to reappoint (1) the Prime Minister's Special Representative for the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative, and (2) the Foreign Secretary's Special Representative for the Western Balkans.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
There are more countries in the world today engaged in conflict than at any time since World War II. Preventing conflict and empowering women and girls is critical to the delivery of the government's missions. We are working to prevent and respond to conflict-related sexual violence, including as vice chair of the International Alliance on PSVI and by supporting thousands of survivors around the world. We also continue to support Western Balkan states to build stable, inclusive and prosperous societies, tackle serious organised crime and overcome ethno-nationalism and conflict.
The new government's Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office envoys have not yet been announced.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what consideration they have given to rejoining the EUFOR–Althea peace stabilization force under the military aspects of the Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina, and as part of their plan to seek a new security pact to strengthen cooperation between the UK and EU.
Answered by Baroness Chapman of Darlington - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK government recognises the vital importance of EUFOR-Althea to peace and security in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The UK is committed to a broad and ambitious UK-EU security pact. While the UK does not currently participate in any EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions, it is open to exploring future opportunities for cooperation.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent reports indicating that Iran has exported Shahed drones and drone technology to Serbia; and of the impact of this on peace and stability in the Western Balkans.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We have seen no evidence that Iran has exported Shahed drones and drone technology to Serbia. We are counselling Serbia to approach its defence procurement with care, as it sensibly seeks to diversify and modernise its defence capabilities. When the Foreign Secretary met President Vucic in Munich in February, he underlined the importance of Serbia supporting efforts to build and support regional stability.
Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the security situation in and stability of the Western Balkans, following the testimony of the NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, before the US House Committee on Armed Services on 10 April.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We share General Cavoli's assessment over rising tensions in the Western Balkans, and Russia's malign role in exacerbating those tensions. Working bilaterally and with partners, and drawing on over £40 million of programme activity, the UK is driving forward efforts to build resilience to external threats, strengthen democracy, prevent a return to conflict and tackle migration and serious organised crime. Government Ministers are engaging actively in support of these goals. Most recently, the Foreign Secretary met the Prime Ministers of Kosovo, Serbia, North Macedonia and Montenegro to discuss greater UK investment in the Western Balkans.