UK must continue to engage in the Western Balkans post-Brexit

Wednesday 10 Jan 2018 @ 14:05
Parliamentary Committees and Public Enquiries

The UK must continue to support countries of the Western Balkans and continue to champion their accession to EU Membership, says Lords report published today.

Background

The Lords International Relations Committee today published its report, 'The UK and the Future of the Western Balkans', in which it states the UK must continue its engagement with the region, along with international partners, to protect the progress made in the region since the 1990s.

Chairman's comments

Commenting on the report, the Chairman of the Committee, Lord Howell of Guildford, said:

The UK must continue to engage with partners in the EU and internationally to promote stability and democratic reform in the Western Balkans; that is in everyone's interests. We welcome the Government's decision to host the Western Balkans Summit this year and will look to it as a symbol of the commitment of the Government to the region even after the UK leaves the European Union.

Other conclusions and recommendations

The prospect of Brexit is having an impact in the region. To counter it will require a strong re-affirmation of British commitment.
Engagement will require new ways of coordinating and cooperating with the EU and its Member States.
The Committee agrees with the Government's support of countries in the region having membership of NATO and the EU as their goals, and supports efforts to overcome obstacles to those aims.
The destabilising influences of outside powers in the region, notably Russia, must be firmly and persistently countered.
The Western Balkans Summit should be used to demonstrate the UK's support for freedom of the press, the rule of law, and the role of civil society in open democracies.
The UK must continue to support efforts to combat corruption and organised crime in the region, and must continue its close operational links with the EU on matters of justice and home affairs in the interests of national security.
The UK should continue to provide training and advice to agencies in the region responsible for combatting terrorism and de-radicalisation.

Further information

Channel website: http://www.parliament.uk/

Original article link: http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/international-relations-committee/news-parliament-2017/balkans-report-publication/

Share this article

Latest News from
Parliamentary Committees and Public Enquiries

Government rejects Committee’s calls for increased parliamentary scrutiny of treaties

18/04/2024 13:05:00

The Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) today publishes the Government’s response to its report on scrutiny of international treaties.

New select committee proposed to provide scrutiny of highly confidential spending

15/04/2024 13:05:00

The Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today calls for the establishment of a new select committee, to consider sound financial practice and value for money in sensitive areas which are outside the remit of the statutory Intelligence and Security Committee of Parliament.

Government should learn lessons from pandemic to improve communications and counter misinformation

12/04/2024 15:05:00

Scientists working across government should be allowed and encouraged to take on a wider public facing role in the media to combat the spread of misinformation, a report from MPs says today.

MPs call for copyright changes and new champion for freelancers to improve precarious pay and working conditions in creative industries

10/04/2024 13:05:00

Many successful musicians, actors, writers and visual artists are struggling to make a living due to gaps in copyright protection, a lack of support for freelancers and unpredictable returns from music streaming, MPs warn today.

Equity in cricket: ECB must closely monitor Yorkshire to ensure no return to ‘business as usual’, MPs say

05/04/2024 14:05:00

The ECB must closely monitor Yorkshire CCC to ensure there is no return to the ‘business as usual’ that allowed a culture of discrimination to take root and thrive at the club, MPs say today.

Government must clamp down on unregulated canine fertility clinics and unlicensed pet breeders, say MPs

05/04/2024 12:25:00

The EFRA Committee wants the Government to address the fact that more than half of the puppies entering the market come from unlicensed breeders, and is today calling for a list of licensed breeders to be made public, and a change in the licensing regulations so as to include breeders of two or more litters a year, in order to counter low welfare breeding practices and provide assurance to buyers.

Committee urges Government to hold aviation industry accountable for emissions reductions

04/04/2024 14:05:00

The Environmental Audit Committee has urged the Government to hold the aviation industry accountable for its proposed emissions reductions, as it publishes the Government’s response to its report on net zero aviation.

Shared ownership is failing to deliver an affordable route to homeownership, say MPs

28/03/2024 16:05:00

Shared ownership schemes are drastically failing to deliver an affordable route to homeownership for too many people and subject buyers to rising rents, uncapped service charges, and a disproportionate exposure to repair and maintenance costs, says the cross-party Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (LUHC) Committee in a report published today (Thursday).

MPs call for statutory sick pay reform to address inadequate financial support for workers most in need

28/03/2024 14:30:00

Statutory sick pay (SSP) is failing to provide enough support for those who most need financial help when ill and should be increased and made more widely available, MPs say today.

WIREDGOV