Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 3 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 9 February 2000. It was answered by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Wednesday, 9 February 2000 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 recent support the Government has given to Moldova; and if he will make a statement. - Includes figures and ref to seminar 'Living with Conflict - the Role of Local Authorities' in September 1999.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent support the Government have given to Moldova; and if he will make a statement. [109038] Mr. Vaz: We fully support the work of the OSCE Mission to Moldova in their efforts to reach a political settlement in the Moldova/Transdniestria conflict. We will continue to press for complete withdrawal of Russian forces from Moldovan territory by the end of 2002, as agreed at the OSCE Istanbul Summit in November 1999. We have provided funding for several projects in support of reaching a settlement including, for example, part-funding a constitutional workshop, attended by members of the Moldovan and Transdniestrian experts groups, in December 1999; and funding a seminar "Living with Conflict--the Role of Local Authorities" in September 1999. We are also funding training of six Moldovan journalists at the BBC, to enhance their reporting skills and to promote balanced media coverage. The Department for International Development's programme of assistance to Moldova stands at £1 million for 1999-2000. The main focus of the programme is the rural livelihoods sector, to which DFID have recently extended work. To complement this, DFID have also recently started work to facilitate further the effective development of savings and credit associations.

Secondary information