Asked by: Baroness Helic (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask His Majesty's Government what (1) personnel, and (2) financial, contribution they made to NATO’s (Kosovo Force) KFOR in (a) 2020/21, (b) 2021/22, and (c) the current financial year.
Answered by Baroness Goldie
The UK directly contributes both persistently deployed troops and the UK based Over the Horizon Strategic Reserve Force to the NATO mission in Kosovo KFOR
The UK’s direct personnel and financial contribution to KFOR in 2020-21; 2021-22 and the current financial year (FY) is shown in the table below:
FY | Personnel in theatre | Financial Contribution |
2020-21 | 37 | Disaggregated figure unavailable |
2021-22 | 41 | £1,359,456.89 |
2022-23 | 41 | £1,441,218.47* |
*Forecast
In addition, NATO HQ Kosovo is funded through NATO’s Military Budget, to which the UK contributes a national cost share (currently 11.3%). Per calendar year, this share amounts to €1.9 million in 2020, €2.2 million in 2021, €2.4 million in 2022, and €2.5 million in 2023.
Asked by: John Howell (Conservative - Henley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the debate entitled Recent tensions between Pristina and Belgrade, which took place at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe on 25 January 2023.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office) (Minister for Development)
The UK is committed to supporting Kosovo's international integration, including to institutions such as the Council of Europe. Membership will bring clear benefits to the Kosovan people, including minority communities. We continue to work closely with international partners to support the long-term goal of normalisation of the Serbia-Kosovo relationship, including through the EU-facilitated Dialogue. The Council of Europe's Parliamentary Assembly plays a crucial role on human rights and rule of law issues, and in pressing states to maintain democratic standards. We welcome this debate and your role in it.
Asked by: Alicia Kearns (Conservative - Rutland and Melton)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of whether the paramilitary Wagner Group is currently operating in (a) Kosovo and (b) Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
We will oppose Russian attempts to destabilise the region. We are aware of unconfirmed media reporting that Wagner Group has been operating in north Kosovo during the recent heightened tensions and are in regular contact with NATO's Kosovo Force who continue to investigate and monitor the situation closely. There are also unconfirmed reports that citizens from Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) have been recruited by groups like Wagner, but we have no evidence that the group is operating on BiH territory.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, how many armed forces personnel are deployed to NATO’s mission in Kosovo.
Answered by James Heappey
There are 41 UK personnel currently deployed to NATO's KFOR mission. This includes two staff officers in the KFOR HQ and an Intelligence Surveillance Reconnaissance Task Force which provides a highly valued capability. We also offer a Battalion sized Strategic Reserve Force which is held at 14 days' notice to effect in the UK.
Asked by: John Howell (Conservative - Henley)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of tensions between Serbia and Kosovo; and what steps he is taking to help reduce tensions in the region.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
While the recent removal of roadblocks reduced immediate tensions, the risk of further spikes in tension between Serbia and Kosovo remains. We are working with partners to end the cycle of tensions and advance our shared long-term goal of normalisation of relations, including through our support for EU-facilitated Dialogue. During my visits to Kosovo and Serbia in December, I encouraged a constructive approach and engagement through meaningful dialogue. The Prime Minister's Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Lord Peach, echoed these messages during his 5 January visit to Kosovo. He plans to visit Serbia soon.
Asked by: Lord Alton of Liverpool (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the participation of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Serbia in the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative Conference; and the impact of the Minister’s attendance on the wellbeing of victims and survivors of conflict-related sexual violence attending the conference.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK invited Foreign Ministers from nearly 100 countries to the PSVI Conference. To address conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV), we need to involve a range of states, to share experiences and we put survivor voices front and centre. All survivors were provided with full support, including wellbeing and psychological support, which was available throughout the conference. I also met personally with all survivors, and also directly with FM Gërvalla-Schwarz from Kosovo. They recognised the important role the UK was playing in providing a bridge for survivors to directly address issues with countries with whom they had endured serious conflict in the past.
Asked by: Stephen Doughty (Labour (Co-op) - Cardiff South and Penarth)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what discussions he has had with representatives of the Kosovan government on tensions in the northern part of Kosovo and with Serbia.
Answered by Leo Docherty - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for the Armed Forces)
The UK is in close contact with the governments of both Kosovo and Serbia, making clear alongside partners the need to dismantle roadblocks, avoid inflammatory rhetoric and de-escalate latest tensions. The Foreign Secretary is in touch with Kosovo's Prime Minister Kurti and raised recent tensions with the Serbian Ambassador. During my (the Minister for Europe) visits to Serbia on 14 December and Kosovo on 16 December, I underlined that the EU-facilitated Dialogue was key to achieving the long-term goal of normalised relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
Asked by: Alex Sobel (Labour (Co-op) - Leeds North West)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will consider recognising Kosovan driving licences.
Answered by Richard Holden - Minister without Portfolio (Cabinet Office)
We already recognise Kosovan driving licences. Holders of a valid Kosovan driving licence can drive small vehicles (cars up to 3,500kg and motorcycles), provided entitlement is shown on their licence, for 12 months from the date they become resident in GB or 12 months from the date they enter the country if they are visiting. To continue driving after this time, residents must obtain a GB licence.
Officials are currently progressing the work needed to introduce an exchange arrangement for Kosovan driving licences, subject to a public consultation and the necessary legal process. This would allow Kosovan licence holders resident in GB to obtain a GB licence without the need to take a test.
Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Vere of Norbiton on 25 May (HL295), what progress the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency has made following the request from the Embassy of Kosovo regarding a reciprocal driving licence exchange between the UK and Kosovo.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
A full assessment of the licensing and testing information provided by the Kosovan authorities has been concluded and the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency is satisfied that the required standards have been met. While the department is progressing the work required to achieve an exchange agreement as quickly as possible, it is subject to public consultation and the introduction of domestic legislation.
Asked by: John Healey (Labour - Wentworth and Dearne)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what assessment has he made of the security situation in Kosovo in the context of recent tensions between the governments of Kosovo and Serbia.
Answered by James Heappey
The UK, with international partners, devotes sustained political and diplomatic effort to securing progress in the EU-facilitated Dialogue between Serbia and Kosovo, and to de-escalating tensions, including through active engagement by the PM's Special Envoy for the Western Balkans, Sir Stuart Peach. We welcome recent agreement on the use of Identification Documents, helping to defuse tensions over the summer, and encourage a similarly constructive approach in tackling further outstanding issues. The UK remains committed to ensuring a safe and secure environment for all in Kosovo, underlined by our continued commitment to NATO's KFOR mission.