Asked by: Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party - North Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Tunisian counterparts on the security of British nationals following the attempted terrorist attack in Tunis in October.
Answered by Alistair Burt
I met the Tunisian Minister of Interior, Hichem Fourati, in London shortly after the recent attack in Tunis. We discussed the security challenges facing Tunisia, including the regional nature of the terrorist threat, and our ongoing co-operation to help build the capacity of Tunisia's security forces.
Asked by: Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party - North Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to work with the Tunisian Government to prevent migrants crossing the Mediterranean.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The British Government is concerned about the increasing numbers of migrants crossing illegally from Tunisia to Europe.
We are working closely with the Tunisian Government to help improve their border security, including through the provision of Royal Navy and Royal Marine instructors to assist the Tunisian National Guard Maritime section. More broadly, the British Government actively pursues a 'whole of route' approach to addressing unmanaged migration from Africa to Europe, tackling the drivers of migration that encourage people to undertake the dangerous journey in the first place. We will play an active role in the Intergovernmental Conference to Adopt the Global Compact for Safe, Orderly and Regular Migration, to be held in Marrakech in December.
Asked by: Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party - North Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions his Department has had with the Home Office on the operation of the online visa system for diplomats.
Answered by Alan Duncan
The FCO leads on policy on the immigration status of foreign diplomats accredited or appointed to the Court of St. James’s. The FCO has had no need recently to discuss the online system for diplomatic accreditation with the Home Office.
Asked by: Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party - North Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions his Department has held with the aviation sector to encourage tourism to Tunisia since the removal of the travel ban imposed on that country in 2015.
Answered by Alistair Burt
We engage regularly with the travel industry, including the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA) and the major tour operators, on the topic of Foreign and Commonwealth Office Travel Advice and consular prevention campaigns to help travellers enjoy safe and trouble-free trips abroad. The Department for Transport works closely with both the Tunisian authorities and air carriers operating between Tunisia and the UK; this includes regular meetings with air carrier representatives both in the UK and Tunisia.
Asked by: Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party - North Antrim)
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 economic and political situation in Tunisia.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The UK continues to follow developments in Tunisia closely. The picture with regard to economic growth is improving, but it is important that Prime Minister Chahed's Government stays the course on economic reform. The UK is committed to deepening its economic partnership with Tunisia. Successful municipal elections in May were an important milestone ahead of the legislative and Presidential elections due next year. We will continue to encourage Tunisia to prioritise the consolidation of independent democratic institutions, in particular through the establishment of a Constitutional Court.
Asked by: Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party - North Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has plans to visit Tunisia in the next six months.
Answered by Alistair Burt
The Secretary of State for International Development, Penny Mordaunt, Lord Ahmad and I have visited Tunisia this year. The Foreign Secretary does not currently have plans to do so in the next six months. I look forward to hosting my Tunisian colleagues in London next summer for our annual UK-Tunisia Bilateral Forum.
Asked by: Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party - North Antrim)
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 changes in the level of violence in Israel and the West Bank.
Answered by Alistair Burt
We remain concerned about the use of violence in Israel and the West Bank. The UK firmly believes that, to have the best chance of success, the Middle East Peace Process must be conducted in an atmosphere free from violence. We press the parties to refrain from rhetoric and actions which make the goal of peace harder to achieve. We call on all parties to act with restraint, reject violence, and work together to ensure calm and stability.
Asked by: Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party - North Antrim)
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 level of radicalisation in the Palestinian Territories.
Answered by Alistair Burt
We strongly condemn all violence and all incitement to commit violence. We are deeply concerned by continued incitement against Israel in the Hamas-run media and education system. The glorification of terrorists as “martyrs” is a barrier to peace. But President Abbas and the Palestinian Authority have repeatedly demonstrated their commitment to non-violence and a negotiated two-state solution. It is important that the Palestinian leadership continue efforts to fully implement the recommendations of the Quartet Report regarding incitement.
Asked by: Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party - North Antrim)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of Hezbollah's weapons arsenal.
Answered by Alistair Burt
We are aware of concerns that Hizballah continues to amass an arsenal of weapons in Lebanon. We condemn the threat that this poses to regional stability and in direct contravention of UN Security Council Resolutions 1559 and 1701. The UK is working with Lebanon to reinforce its state institutions, in particular the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF). It is in the interests of Lebanon that the LAF are recognised as the only legitimate armed forces of Lebanon.
Asked by: Ian Paisley (Democratic Unionist Party - North Antrim)
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 extent of expansion of Hezbollah's weapons arsenal; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Alistair Burt
We are aware of reports that Hizballah continues to amass an arsenal of weapons in Lebanon. We condemn the threat this poses to regional stability and the direct contravention of UN Security Council Resolutionss 1559 and 1701.