| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Windward Islands
17. Mr. Borrow: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the policy of the Government towards the Windward Islands. [69438]
Mr. Tony Lloyd: We continue to have very good relations with the Windward Islands, and to maintain permanent representation in three of them. We continue to encourage increased efficiency in the banana industry and promote diversification. We are working through the WTO to try to resolve the dispute with the US over the revised EU banana regime.
Cyprus
18. Mr. Bill O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress in reaching a settlement in Cyprus. [69439]
Ms Quin: I refer my hon. Friend to the answer I gave earlier in the House today to my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon (Mr. Dismore) and the hon. Member for Eastbourne (Mr. Waterson), Official Report, column 723.
25. Mr. David Atkinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on progress on the Cypriot application for membership of the European Union. [69446]
Ms Quin:
The enlargement process is on track. For Cyprus (and the five Central European states considered ready) substantive negotiations on the first seven chapters of the Union acquis began on 10 November. We support
16 Feb 1999 : Column: 736
the German Presidency's aim of opening negotiations on half of the 31 chapters with these countries by the Cologne Council in June.
19. Mr. John Cryer:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the remit of United Nations Committee 661 in relation to sanctions on Iraq. [69440]
Mr. Fatchett:
The Government fully support the crucial role of the United Nations Committee established pursuant to Security Council Resolution 661 in monitoring and implementing sanctions against Iraq, including humanitarian exemptions and relief under the Oil for Food programme.
We took the lead last year in proposing improvements to the procedures of the Sanctions Committee to increase the effectiveness of the Oil for Food programme. According to the latest reports, this programme is having ever greater success in ensuring that humanitarian supplies reach those who need them.
20. Mr. Fabian Hamilton:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to support the middle east peace process; and if he will make a statement. [69441]
28. Mr. Butterfill:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he has taken to assist the middle east peace process. [R] [69449]
36. Mr. Clappison:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had concerning the middle eastern peace process with middle eastern Governments; and if he will make a statement. [69457]
Mr. Robin Cook:
Together with our EU partners we have deplored the failure to complete the implementation of the Wye River Memorandum within the declared deadline, and we continue to urge both sides to implement their obligations in full and without new conditions.
The peace process lost one of its leading advocates with the death of His Majesty King Hussein bin Talal of Jordan on 7 February. The finest tribute to his memory would be to get the peace process back on track.
Last week's visit to the region by German Foreign Minister Fischer as European Council Presidency was a welcome opportunity for us to explore ways that Europe can support the peace process.
21. Dr. Tony Wright:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the development of the International Criminal Court. [69442]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
Seventy-five States, including the UK, have signed the Statute of the International Criminal Court, and one--Senegal--has ratified it. We intend that the UK should be among the first sixty States to ratify. The first meeting of the Preparatory Commission for the Court begins today in New York. The Government will
16 Feb 1999 : Column: 737
continue to lobby for international support for the Court, and will play a full part in the work of the Preparatory Commission.
22. Mr. Corbett:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he next plans to meet representatives of the Iranian Government to discuss restoration of full diplomatic relations. [69443]
29. Mrs. Curtis-Thomas:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his last meeting with the Government of Iran. [69450]
Mr. Fatchett:
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary's last meeting with a representative of the Iranian government was with Foreign Minister Kharrazi at the United Nations in New York in September. He and Dr. Kharrazi have subsequently spoken on the telephone. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has no plans to meet representatives of the Iranian government in the immediate future.
23. Ms Moran:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what action he will take to ensure that British citizens arrested in Yemen receive a fair trial. [69444]
Mr. Fatchett:
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary left Prime Minister Iryani in no doubt about our serious concern that the British nationals arrested in Yemen be subject to the due process of law in open court, with our consular staff in attendance. We have discussed our concerns with Prime Minister Iryani on three separate occasions. The trial began on 27 January. We are monitoring the proceedings.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has received from other countries concerning the situation in Yemen. [70398]
Mr. Fatchett:
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has received no representations from other countries about the situation in Yemen, but has stayed in close touch with the Yemenis.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens are currently in detention in Yemen. [70397]
Mr. Fatchett:
On 16 February 1999 there were eight British nationals in trial in Yemen.
Mr. Vaz:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will estimate how many British citizens are currently in Yemen. [70396]
Mr. Fatchett:
There are 373 British nationals currently registered with the British Embassy in Sana'a. Allowing for others not registered it is estimated that the total number of British nationals based in Yemen may be around 400.
16 Feb 1999 : Column: 738
26. Mr. Sheerman:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he will next meet the President of the World bank to discuss its new programme of public-private partnerships. [69447]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
Neither I nor my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary have current plans to meet with the President of the World Bank.
The UK is a key source of funding for the World Bank's Public Private Infrastructure Advisory Facility and the Business Partners for Development scheme.
27. Jane Griffiths:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on Britain's relations with Mongolia. [69448]
Mr. Fatchett:
Britain enjoys a very warm relationship with Mongolia. We have supported fully Mongolia's transition to democracy, and commend the Mongolian Government's commitment to achieving a market economy. Our educational and cultural links are strong and bilateral trade has increased. We hope that the relationship will continue to develop in all areas.
30. Gillian Merron:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement about progress towards a political settlement in Kosovo. [69451]
Mr. Tony Lloyd:
Contact Group Foreign Ministers met in Paris at the weekend to assess progress in the Kosovo peace talks. Although progress has been slower than we had hoped, the two parties remain engaged and we agreed to allow them a further week in which to conclude negotiations. It is now crucial that they reach agreement on the difficult issues outstanding.
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |