British Parliament launches inquiry into "UK and Balkans"

British Parliament launches inquiry into "UK and Balkans"

The announcement noted that "since the end of the conflicts of the 1990s, the Balkans has remained a region of instability on the borders of the EU - to date, most of the UK's policy towards the region has been tied up with the EU's."

"As the UK approaches Brexit, there is an opportunity to consider the importance of the region to the UK and to reassess British engagement. The Committee's inquiry will consider how the geopolitical situation in the region is evolving and what challenges need to be addressed, their consequences for the UK and what government policy ought to be in response," the statement said.

The call for evidence invited submissions "about how the UK should engage with the Balkans as we approach Brexit, and beyond - this will include questions of how other international actors are seeking to make their influence felt in the region, and what social, political and economic challenges the Balkans are facing."

The questions listed on the website include: "What are the UK's interest – direct and indirect – in the Balkans? How are these likely to evolve in the near future?; Are some countries of the region building closer military-industrial links with Russia? If so, what are the consequences for NATO?; What are the key political and governance challenges facing the countries of the Balkans, and what policy options are open to the UK to support stability in the region?; What action should the UK take to tackle corruption and organized crime in the region? What impact is this having in the UK?"

In addition, the British parliamentary committee wants to know about "the key economic challenges facing the countries of the region," whether Britain can play "a constructive role"; the implications of Brexit for the country's "influence and standing in the region," and, "what impact, if any, the UK’s decision to leave the EU has had on the countries of the region."

The committee said it was seeking written submissions by September 15, while public hearings were planned to take place from September to October 2017. The committee then "aims to publish its report to the House, with recommendations, in December 2017."