Written question asked by Mark Hunter (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 10 October 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 October 2007. It was answered by Jim Murphy (Labour) on Thursday, 18 October 2007 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Kosovo: Peacekeeping Operations

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what assessment he has made of progress in implementing the UN Security Council resolution on the future of Kosovo; and if he will make a statement;

Answer: UN Security Council Resolution 1244 provides a framework for a political process to decide Kosovo's future status. That process is ongoing. The UN Special Envoy for Kosovo submitted a comprehensive proposal for a status settlement on 26 March 2007. This was accepted by Pristina, but rejected by Belgrade. As a further effort to achieve a negotiated settlement, the Contact Group established a Troika whose task is to facilitate a period of further discussion between the parties. The Troika process will be concluded by the Contact Group reporting to the UN Secretary General by 10 December.Contact Group Ministers met in New York on 27 September. They reiterated that an early resolution of Kosovo's status is crucial to the stability and security of the Western Balkans. They endorsed fully the UN Secretary General's assessment that the status quo is not sustainable. They expressed full support for the Troika process.

Secondary information