Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
What diplomatic steps his Department is taking to help de-escalate tensions between Greece and Turkey.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The UK is in regular contact with Turkish and Greek partners in support of their bilateral exploratory talks to reduce tensions in the Aegean. These talks were last held on 16 March, and we welcome the commitment from both sides to continue them.
We also welcome the constructive meeting between Greek Foreign Minister Dendias and Turkish President Erdogan and Foreign Minister Cavusoglu in Ankara on 15 April.
It is important that this dialogue continues, including through NATO military de-confliction talks between Turkey and Greece. The Foreign Secretary discussed this with the Greek Foreign Minister on 2 February, and with the Turkish Foreign Minister on 23 March.
In March, I discussed this with the Greek Foreign Minister and the Turkish Ambassador, and I plan to discuss this with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Kaymakci in the coming weeks.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what plans his Department has for extending the time limit for visa free travel for UK citizens within the Schengen Area.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government discussed arrangements with the EU 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 EU offers to nationals of eligible third countries that offer visa-free travel for EU citizens, in line with existing EU legislation.
British Citizens planning to stay longer will need permission from the relevant Member State(s). This may require applying for a visa and/or permit. Information about travel to Europe is available on gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/visit-europe-1-january-2021
The UK's Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU confirms 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. The Government does not typically enter into bilateral agreements on visa-free travel. The UK keeps its visa system under regular review, and the new points-based immigration system has been developed in the national interest. The Government also keeps arrangements and advice for British Citizens travelling abroad under regular review.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans his Department has to review the covid-19 guidance on travel to Tanzania.
Answered by James Duddridge
The FCDO continues to advise against non-essential travel to Tanzania as part of our global travel advisory during the pandemic. All travel advice is under constant review, in consultation with Public Health England, the National Travel Health Network and Centre and our overseas Posts. We will make exemptions from our global advice for countries where the risks to British people are reduced. In the case of COVID-19, we consider the expert UK assessments on risk of exposure to the virus, alongside other relevant linked factors such as the availability of local healthcare, the safety of any local quarantine measures and the resilience of transport options.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the potential merits of establishing a travel corridor between the UK and (a) Latvia and (b) other Baltic States as the covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
A list of countries and territories from which passengers arriving in England will no longer have to self-isolate for 14 days was published on 3 July. This follows the Government's first review of public health measures at the border, which were introduced in June 2020. The Government has always been clear that any decisions on border measures will be proportionate and science-led.
We are continuing to engage with all partners on all aspects of the global response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment his Department has made of the recent treatment of LGBT people in Morocco.
Answered by James Cleverly - Shadow Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government
We have seen reports about harassment of LGBT people in Morocco. The British Government is opposed to all forms of discrimination and committed to upholding the rights and freedoms of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in all circumstances all over the world.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans his Department has to introduce additional repatriation flights for British citizens stranded in South Africa.
Answered by James Duddridge
The British Government has helped 2,058 British nationals on ten charter flights return to the UK from South Africa. The British High Commission in Pretoria made British nationals in South Africa aware of these flights through the FCO's Travel Advice, social media, and appearances by the High Commissioner in local media. We are still working through future plans, identifying where needs are greatest, and where charter flights will have the greatest impact on vulnerable British nationals overseas.
The British High Commission in South Africa is working hard to ensure that British nationals who remain in South Africa are safe and getting the support they need.
Asked by: Alberto Costa (Conservative - South Leicestershire)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the treatment of NGOs by the Tanzanian Government.
Answered by Harriett Baldwin - Shadow Minister (Business and Trade)
We are concerned about the treatment of Non-Governmental Organisations in Tanzania and increasing restrictions on the democratic space in which they operate. The UK Government is working closely with civil society, including through the Department for International Development Accountability in Tanzania programme, to strengthen civil society and promote positive and constructive engagement with the Tanzanian authorities on difficult issues. I raised our concerns regarding the protection of civil and political rights with the Tanzanian Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Defending Media Freedom conference in London on 11 July 2019.