asked Her Majesty's Government:

What further plans they have to assist stability in south-east Europe. [HL3044]

The Government believe that integrating the countries of the western Balkans into the EU will be the best way to move the region forward from the conflicts of the 1990s and to ensure long-term stability and security. To this end the Government are contributing funding through the EU's Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance, which will channel around €4 billion to the western Balkans over the period 2007-11. The UK is separately providing around £14 million for the region through the Department for International Development's bilateral funding, around £2 million through the Reuniting Europe programme and an additional £7.8 million through the Conflict Prevention Pool for 2008-09, all increases on last year's spending. The Government are further contributing to stability and security through their diplomatic efforts in the region, encouraging countries to deal with threats to inter-ethnic relations and also progress on the reforms needed for EU and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation membership. The Government will also participate fully in the International Steering Group on Kosovo, as well as the Peace Implementation Council for Bosnia.