Asked by: Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
Her Majesty's Government, following the collapse of the Cyprus Talks at Crans Montana, and in the light of their responsibility to guarantee the independence, territorial integrity and security of Cyprus, whether they are planning to adopt new or revised tactics to achieve their strategy towards Cyprus; whether their strategy will support the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus achieving international recognition; and whether they will seek to establish direct flights between the UK and Ercan.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
It is disappointing that the Conference on Cyprus at Crans Montana ended without agreement. The Government continues to work for a just and lasting settlement in Cyprus that will benefit all Cypriots. We are encouraging all parties to reflect on the outcome and consider the best path ahead.
On the question of direct flights, the UK Court of Appeal has confirmed that direct flights from the UK to Ercan would breach obligations under international law.
Asked by: Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the Somalia pirates’ hijacking of an Indian vessel on 1 April, whether they intend to further press the government of India regarding the release of the British ex-servicemen known as the Chennai Six who were arrested while on anti-piracy duties in October 2013; and what representations they have made to the government of India about the proportion of the five-year sentences which should be served.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary and the Minister for Asia and the Pacific have all raised this case in meetings with counterparts during recent visits to India and made clear the importance of seeing progress. Most recently the Foreign Secretary raised the case with Minister of State for External Affairs M J Akbar during his visit in January.
While we do not seek to interfere in the legal process of another country, we continue to urge swift due process and await the verdict of the men's appeal.
Asked by: Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their policy towards the new legislation passed by the Parliament of the Republic of Cyprus officially commemorating the 1950 Enosis referendum; what assessment they have made of the impact of that legislation on the Cyprus Talks process; and what representations they have made to President Anastasiades.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The Government takes every opportunity to support the Leaders of both communities in their efforts to seek a solution to the Cyprus issue. This includes encouraging them to overcome potential setbacks such as this. The Foreign Secretary discussed this and other issues relating to a Cyprus settlement with both Leaders last month. We are therefore encouraged by the Leaders' joint statement of 2 April reconfirming their commitment to finding a solution taking into account the concerns of both communities, and we welcome the announcement that talks will resume on 11 April.
Asked by: Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what is their response to the warning by the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on 25 November that countries should not establish or maintain military ties with Taiwan; and what is their assessment of the impact of this warning on UK–Taiwanese relationships and on the interests of international navigation in the Asia-Pacific region.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The UK does not recognise Taiwan and neither maintains, nor has any plans to establish, military ties with the territory. As such, this announcement will have no impact on our wider, unofficial relationship with Taiwan which includes strong trade, education and cultural links.
The UK supports the right of all States, to exercise Freedom of Navigation and Overflight in accordance with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
Asked by: Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 25 July (HL1110), whether they are at variance with the government of the Republic of Cyprus regarding its unilateral call for an end to current trade and economic sanctions imposed on Russia by the EU; and what assessment they have made of whether that call casts doubts on the Republic of Cyprus' sincerity and dependability in other areas of common interest, including the Talks Process.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
On 1 July 2016, the European Council unanimously agreed to prolong economic sanctions targeting specific sectors of the Russian economy until 31 January 2017. The EU remains united in its strategy of resolving the Ukraine crisis through diplomacy underpinned by robust sanctions pressure. All EU Member States have agreed that the duration of the sanctions is linked to the complete implementation of the Minsk agreements.
The UK has a strong relationship with the Republic of Cyprus. With respect to the Cyprus settlement talks, we commend the courageous leadership of President Anastasiasdes and Mr Akıncı. As The Minister of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my Rt Hon. Friend the Member for Rutland and Melton (Sir Alan Duncan) made clear during his visit to Cyprus on 6-8 September, the UK will continue to support the efforts of both communities to reunite Cyprus.
Asked by: Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the answer by Baroness Anelay of St Johns on 6 September (HL Deb, col 936), and in the light of the release of the Montazeri audiotape regarding the massacres in Iran in 1988, whether it is still their position that there is little corroborated evidence of such a massacre taking place.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The UK Government opposes the use of the death penalty in all circumstances and takes any allegations of extrajudicial killings seriously. The Iranian Government has repeatedly denied that a mass execution took place, though we know that between July 1988 and January 1989 executions did take place. However, even with the recording and media reporting on the incident, we have no confirmation of the numbers involved.
Asked by: Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what action, if any, they plan to take in the light of the resolution of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus on 7 July calling for an end to the trade and economic sanctions imposed on Russia by the EU, and what their current policy is regarding those sanctions.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The EU remains united in its strategy of resolving the Ukraine crisis through diplomacy underpinned by robust sanctions pressure. The UK fully supports this policy and will continue to play a central role in calling for a firm response to Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. On 1 July the EU unanimously agreed to renew economic sanctions on Russia for a further six months, in line with the March European Council’s commitment that the duration of sanctions should be clearly linked to the full implementation of the Minsk agreements.
Asked by: Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the call by Amnesty International for an investigation into the missile attack on Camp Liberty on 4 July.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
We strongly condemn the attack against the civilian residents of Camp Liberty in Iraq on 4 July. We are aware of Amnesty International’s call for an investigation into the attack and we have publically called on the Government of Iraq to investigate the attack and bring the attackers to justice.Asked by: Lord Maginnis of Drumglass (Independent Ulster Unionist - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the recent elections in the Greek Cypriot Republic of Cyprus on the UK's aims for the talks process on the reunification of Cyprus, and on their foreign policy position regarding that island.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
Following elections to the legislature in the Republic of Cyprus, the UK will continue to support strongly the efforts of the two communities to reunite Cyprus. We also look forward to continuing to work closely with the Republic of Cyprus across a range of shared interests, including security and defence issues, and reinforcing the values that underpin the Commonwealth.