Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will continue his policy of not participating in events commemorating the 2001 Durban Declaration.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The United Kingdom is committed to combatting all forms of racism, including anti-Semitism, both at home and abroad. We believe that one of the most effective ways to tackle injustices and advocate respect among different religious and racial groups is to encourage all states to uphold their human rights obligations. Some of the anti-Semitic actions and speeches in and around the Durban conference and its various follow-up events gave rise to serious concerns. We will consider UK attendance in the light of developments between now and the commemoration event, including the likelihood of any recurrence.
The Foreign Secretary recently reaffirmed the UK's condemnation to anti-Semitism during a debate in the House of Commons on 20 April 2021, and I raised my opposition to anti-Semitism during a Westminster Hall Debate on 26 November 2020. We also delivered a statement at the United Nations General Assembly in November expressing concern about the rise of anti-Semitism and other forms of discrimination in the wake of Covid-19.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether the Government plans to send representatives to events marking the 20th anniversary of the World Conference Against Racism in Durban.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The United Kingdom is committed to combatting all forms of racism, including anti-semitism, both at home and abroad. We believe that one of the most effective ways to tackle injustices and advocate respect among different religious and racial groups is to encourage all states to uphold their human rights obligations. Some of the anti-Semitic actions and speeches in and around the Durban conference and its various follow-up events gave rise to serious concerns. We will consider UK attendance in the light of developments between now and the commemoration event, including the likelihood of any recurrence.
The Foreign Secretary recently reaffirmed the UK's condemnation to anti-semitism during a debate in the House of Commons on 20 April 2021, and I raised my opposition to anti-semitism during a Westminster Hall Debate on 26 November 2020. We also delivered a statement at the United Nations General Assembly in November expressing concern about the rise of anti-semitism and other forms of discrimination in the wake of Covid-19.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
What assessment he has made of the potential for improved political, trade and economic relations with Tunisia and Libya.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
I am grateful for the work of my Honourable Friend the Member for Southport, as the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Libya and Tunisia.
The UK is supporting the UN-led political process in Libya. Peace and stability is the best way to create opportunities for investment and trade. The recent appointment of a new interim executive authority is positive and the Prime Minister has spoken to PM-designate Dabaiba.
The UK works with Tunisia to support political and economic reform. The Bilateral Association Agreement entered into force on 1 January and provides a platform to deepen trade and investment.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what support he has offered the Government of Tunisia following the announcement by the International Monetary Fund that public sector wage assets may be frozen in that country.
Answered by Alistair Burt
We are aware of the International Monetary Fund (IMF)'s announcement and support its efforts to promote structural economic reforms in Tunisia. UK assistance is designed both to build Tunisia’s capacity to deal with terrorist threats and to help Tunisia reach its economic potential. In 2019-2020, we have committed over £12 million to support reforms in the education, economic and public sectors. We will continue to work closely with Tunisia and our international partners to promote sustainable growth and prosperity for Tunisians.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he had with his Bahraini counterpart with respect to the case of Hakeem al Arabibi.
Answered by Alistair Burt
We have been following the case of Mr al-Araibi closely and are aware that he has now returned to Australia.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
What recent discussions he has had with his Tunisian counterpart on that country’s diplomatic and economic relationship with the UK.
Answered by Alistair Burt
I met the Tunisian Prime Minister in June, during my visit for our annual UK-Tunisia Bilateral Forum. We agreed on a vision for a new economic partnership and co-operation on security and education. The secretary of State for International Development met the Tunisian Prime Minister and her counterpart in August.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to improve diplomatic relations with Turkey.
Answered by Alan Duncan
We enjoy highly productive diplomatic relations with Turkey. British Ministers are in regular communication with their Turkish counterparts and our respective embassies are both very active. The Prime Minister is also closely engaged on UK/Turkey issues. In addition to welcoming President Erdoǧan to the UK during his visit in May 2018, the Prime Minister has spoken regularly to the President, most recently on 27 August.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the strength of the UK's diplomatic relations with Belgium.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The UK enjoys excellent diplomatic relations with Belgium. There have been numerous visits and we maintain regular contact with the Belgian government at all levels. We work closely on a range of issues including counter-terrorism, migration, energy and foreign policy.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the strength of the UK's diplomatic relations with Luxembourg.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The UK enjoys excellent diplomatic relations with Luxembourg. There have been a number of ministerial and Royal visits in both directions during the past year and we maintain regular contact with the Luxembourg Government at all levels. We work closely with Luxembourg on a range of issues including prosperity, defence, public diplomacy and foreign policy.
Asked by: Damien Moore (Conservative - Southport)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent assessment he has made of the strength of the UK's diplomatic relations with the Netherlands.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The UK enjoys excellent diplomatic relations with the Netherlands. There have been numerous visits and we maintain regular contact with the Netherlands government at all levels. We work closely on a range of issues including counter-terrorism, migration, prosperity and foreign policy.The UK enjoys excellent diplomatic relations with the Netherlands. There have been numerous visits and we maintain regular contact with the Netherlands government at all levels. We work closely on a range of issues including counter-terrorism, migration, prosperity and foreign policy.