Written question asked by Lord Maude of Horsham (Conservative) on Tuesday, 13 March 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 March 2001. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 March 2001 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the Government's position is on the future status of Montenegro.

Answer: Mr. Maude: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the Government's position is on the future status of Montenegro. [154019] Mr. Vaz: The UK and the EU would prefer to see a renegotiation of the relationship between Montenegro and Serbia take place within the framework of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. The EU set out this preference in the Conclusions of the General Affairs Council of 22 January. Decisions on status will need to be taken in an open, democratic and consensual manner, taking full account of the need to preserve the internal stability of the FRY and the regional stability of south eastern Europe.

Secondary information