Letter to the Chairman of the Committee
from the Minister for Europe
I appeared before the Committee on 12 September
to discuss Developments in the EU. [109]The
Committee also took the opportunity to ask me about bilateral
developments with Russia.
In answer to a question from Fabian Hamilton
on developments since the Litvinenko expulsions in July, I said
"The Foreign Secretary announced on 16 July, I think, measures
on co-operation with the Russian intelligence services, judicial
co-operationand some visa issues."
The Foreign Secretary did not refer to measures
on co-operation with the Russian intelligence services in his
announcement of 16 July. he in fact said:
"First, we will expel four diplomats from
the Russian Embassy in the UK. Second, we shall review the extent
of our co-operation with Russian on a range of issues and as an
initial step we have suspended visa facilitation negotiations
with Russia and made other changes to visa practice. Third, international
agreements mean Mr Lugovoy could be extradited to the UK if he
travelled abroad, Fourth, we are grateful for the strong support
we have received from EU partners and close allies, including
through the EU Presidency Statement on 1 June. We will discuss
with partners the need for future EU-Russia engagements to take
our concerns on this case into account."
I do hope that you find this information helpful.
The government's position is that we will not comment on allegations
of measures relating to intelligence co-operation with the Russians.
Jim Murphy MP
Minister for Europe
31 October 2007
109 HC 166-ii, Session 2006-07. Back
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