I propose to take Questions Nos. 2, 12, 29, 31 and 53 together.
I am deeply concerned about the conflict in Bosnia-Hercegovina, the continuing fighting in Croatia and the possibilities for an overspill of conflict in the Yugoslav region generally. I wish again to underline the imperative need to bring peace to Bosnia, particularly with the onset of winter, and to improve the level of distribution of aid to its inhabitants. These priorities were clearly signalled by the European Council at its special meeting on 29 October.
Since the outbreak of conflict in former Yugoslavia the Government has been fully engaged in the international effort through the European Community, the CSCE and the UN to bring peace to the region and to support the victims of war. We have also undertaken a major programme of humanitarian assistance in support of refugees and displaced persons.
Practical efforts by the European Community and its member states to bring about a settlement have focused on the promotion of a negotiated settlement through the International Conference on former Yugoslavia, chaired by David Owen and Thorvald Stoltenberg; participation, by more than 14,000 personnel from EC member states, in the UN peacekeeping force and the EC monitor mission, to create the conditions necessary for a settlement; the application of sanctions against Serbia and Montenegro and practical support for the CSCE sanctions assistance missions which help states in the region enforce these measures; and humanitarian assistance to the victims of the conflict. To date, 700 MECU has been contributed, some 60-70 per cent of the total international aid effort.
A settlement in Bosnia, vitally urgent in itself, is the key to a settlement for the Yugoslav region. Peace in Bosnia will give momentum to the efforts of the conference co-chairmen to find a political solution to the dangerous situation in Croatia and the Kosovo region in Serbia. Only an overall political settlement will make it possible for refugees and displaced persons to return in safety to their homes.
A peace package for Bosnia was elaborated by the parties under the auspices of the co-chairmen over the summer period. It has been accepted in large measure by the three Bosnian parties. Disagreement regarding the size of the territory to be assigned to the Muslim majority republic within a Bosnian union has, however, brought the negotiations to an impasse.
The declaration adopted by the European Council, at its special meeting on 29 October, appealed to the parties to resume negotiations. In response to the deterioration in the humanitarian situation and the possibility of a human catastrophe during the winter, the European Council adopted guidelines for a European Union joint action to support the conveying of humanitarian aid in Bosnia. The Council of Ministers, on 8 November, adopted detailed provisions on this joint action, one of the first to be undertaken under the Common Foreign and Security provisions of the Treaty on European Union.
The joint action aims to intensify the effort to relieve the suffering of the Bosnian people. Central to this will be an increase in the financing for UNHCR, the leading humanitarian relief agency. A major effort will be made to identify and to ensure the protection of key supply routes. The modalities for the reopening of Tuzla and Mostar airports are to be examined. The possibilities for the reinforcement of the UN peacekeeping force, UNPROFOR, with a view to enabling it to discharge its tasks in Bosnia more effectively, are being examined by member states.
In parallel with the joint action on the convoying of humanitarian aid, the European Union is continuing to make a determined effort to encourage the parties to resume the negotiations on the peace package for Bosnia, including the territorial aspects.
The implementation of the peace plan for Bosnia will require a major effort by the international community. A substantial role is provided for the European Union in the draft agreements. This includes supervision of initial elections in each of the constituent republics, the administration of Mostar and assisting the UN in the supervision of the disarmament process. The European Union will also contribute to the reconstruction of Bosnia through financial, economic and technical assistance.