Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current situation between Serbia and Kosovo.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We condemned the unprovoked attack on NATO troops in northern Kosovo on 29 May and, alongside our partners, are calling on Serbia and Kosovo to take immediate steps to de-escalate and return to dialogue. The Foreign Secretary reiterated these messages when he spoke to the Kosovo Prime Minister on 8 June, as did the Prime Minister's Envoy, Lord Peach when he spoke to President Vucic on 7 June. I [Lord Ahmad] discussed the current tensions with Kosovo's Foreign Minister on 8 June.
Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to secure an agreement within the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe on (1) a budget, and (2) a Chair-in-Office, for 2024.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We recognise the challenges faced by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) as a result of Russia's weaponisation of the consensus principle, including delaying critical decisions on the budget and 2024 Chair. We fully support the efforts of current Chair, North Macedonian Foreign Minister Osmani, to reach an agreement on next year's budget and to alleviate immediate financial pressures. We are also working closely with like-minded countries on options for reaching consensus on next year's chair.
Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the current situation in Moldova and the reported activities of the Russian Federation in that country; and what assistance they are providing to Moldova to support its ambition to join the EU.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Other than Ukraine, no other country has felt the impact of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine more deeply than Moldova. On 16 March, the Foreign Secretary met Moldovan President Maia Sandu and Foreign Minister Nicu Popescu in Chisinau. He reiterated the UK's steadfast support for sovereign Moldova as it pursues a path of freedom and independence. He also committed a further £10 million of support towards economic and governance reforms. This is in addition to £12 million over three years pledged last year to strengthen Moldova's defences against cyberattack, counter Russian disinformation, reform armed forces and tackle corruption.
Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have carried out a detailed study to assess whether the repeal or modification of any provision of retained EU law is incompatible with the 'level playing field' provisions set out in Title XI of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
As set out by the Minister of State for Cabinet Office and the Department of Business and Trade Nusrat Ghani MP on 18 January 2023, the Government will as a priority take the action required to ensure that the necessary legislation is in place to uphold the UK's international obligations, including those in the Trade and Cooperation Agreement.
Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the future role of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has highlighted the importance and utility of the OSCE. The Vienna Document, an OSCE military transparency mechanism, highlighted Russia's troop build-up before the invasion and the OSCE "Moscow Mechanism" was amongst the first tools used to document Russia's human rights violations and war crimes in Ukraine. The OSCE remains an important forum to hold Russia accountable to OSCE commitments and its actions in Ukraine. The OSCE retains a unique role in economic, environmental and human security and the UK is resolutely committed to preserving it as a forum for conflict management, mediation and dialogue.
Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether membership of the Commonwealth is open to any country; and what is the eligibility criteria.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Commonwealth is a voluntary association of 56 independent and equal countries. Membership is open to any country subject to meeting the criteria. The Membership criteria can be found here: https://thecommonwealth.org/about/joining. The most recent countries to join were Togo and Gabon, who joined at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali last month (June).
Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what proposals they have put forward to secure UK citizens the right to remain in the EU for 180 days without the need for a visa; on what grounds the EU did not agree to those proposals; and what steps they have taken since 31 January to reopen the matter in discussions with the EU.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
During negotiations with the EU, the Government discussed arrangements for British Citizens travelling to the Schengen Area. Regrettably, the EU consistently maintained that British Citizens will be treated as Third Country Nationals under the Schengen Borders Code from 1 January 2021. This means that British Citizens are able to travel visa-free for short stays for up to 90 days in a rolling 180-day period. This is the standard length of stay that the EU offers to nationals of eligible third countries, in line with existing EU legislation. British Citizens who are planning to stay longer than 90 days in a rolling 180-day period will need permission from the relevant Member State. This may require applying for a visa and/or permit.
The UK's Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU notes that both the UK and EU currently provide for visa-free travel for short-term visits for each other's nationals in accordance with their respective laws. The detail of those arrangements is set by domestic law, reflecting the UK's position as a non-EU Member State. Negotiations with the EU have concluded and the Government is focused on the smooth, robust and effective implementation of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement. The Government does not typically enter into bilateral agreements on visa-free travel.
Asked by: Lord Bowness (Crossbench - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have, if any, to invite Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya as a guest to the G7 summit in June, so that she may put the case of the Belarusian opposition to the G7 heads of government.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
G7 Leaders will discuss current global issues including Belarus' reckless and dangerous behaviour and the UK is actively considering and coordinating with our allies on further sanctions for those responsible. Officials engage regularly with a range of representatives of Belarusian civil society, including opposition groups. The Foreign Secretary spoke to Svetlana Tikhanovskaya on 1 February. The UK Government looks forward to welcoming Mrs Tikhanovskaya to the UK as soon as covid regulations allow.