Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps she is taking to help support democracies in Eastern Europe.
Answered by Chris Heaton-Harris
We strongly support the democracies of Eastern and Central Europe. Democracy and freedom are at the heart of the Foreign Secretary's vision for a Network of Liberty, using partnerships in technology, trade and security to promote democratic values. NATO is the cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic security. Closer cooperation is vital if we are to effectively counter interference by malign actors.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make it his policy to support resistance to the Taliban in the Panjshir Valley.
Answered by Nigel Adams
We are watching the developments on the ground very carefully, but it is fair to say that the Taliban are in control of the vast majority of Afghanistan and we have to adjust to the new reality we see on the ground.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has had discussions with his NATO counterparts on the potential to support forces resisting the Taliban in the Panjshir Valley.
Answered by Nigel Adams
Our focus is on the immediate priorities of ensuring safe passage for anyone remaining in Afghanistan who is eligible to come to the UK and wishes to leave, supporting the thousands of new arrivals in the UK, and continuing to provide assistance to the Afghan people. We have long argued for properly inclusive, representative government.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
What diplomatic steps he is taking to improve UK engagement with India.
Answered by Nigel Adams
We look forward to an ambitious PM visit that will deliver on shared priorities, and multi-lateral collaboration with India as a guest at the G7, and as a non-permanent member of the UNSC.
In December, the Foreign Secretary visited India to deepen our bilateral strategic partnership and demonstrate our commitment to closer partnership with the region as a whole. In February, the Trade Secretary visited India to push forward delivery of an Enhanced Trade Partnership, as a springboard for a future FTA. The visit secured 1,500 jobs and investment in UK vaccine manufacturing. Ahead of UK COP26 Presidency, Alok Sharma visited India in February, meeting with PM Modi to increase momentum for UK-India climate collaboration.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether it is a Government priority to negotiate extensions to the 90 in 180 days visa-free visit limit by UK subjects to the EU by means of visa waiver agreements with individual EU states permitted within the Schengen acquis and the UK's Trade and Cooperation Agreement with the EU.
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 will be 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 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.
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. However, the UK keeps its visa system under regular review, and the new points-based immigration system has been developed in the national interest.
Asked by: Desmond Swayne (Conservative - New Forest West)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether workers engaged in essential work overseas will be considered for early vaccination against covid-19.
Answered by Wendy Morton - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
We are working with the Department for Health and Social Care to consider the international aspects of vaccination, including the situation of workers engaged in essential work overseas.