Asked by: Robert Buckland (Conservative - South Swindon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what his priorities are for the UN Food Systems Summit +2 Stocktaking Moment; and whether he has had discussions with his counterparts who will be attending the summit on fostering agricultural resilience across the global south.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
Global food security is an FCDO priority as set out in the refresh of the Integrated Review (IR) published in March 2023. The UN Food Systems Summit Stocktaking Moment is an opportunity for the UK to co-ordinate internationally on transforming food systems to improve the health of the planet, people and economies. We will showcase the UK's Agriculture Breakthrough initiative, making climate-resilient, productive and sustainable agriculture the most widely adopted option for farmers everywhere by 2030, at the event. Immediately after the Stocktaking Moment, the UK and World Bank will host a Policy Dialogue event on agriculture policy reform. In Rome, on 27 and 28 June, I [Minister Mitchell] spoke to the Heads of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and World Food Programme (WFP) about supporting the most vulnerable countries access climate finance to build the resilience of their food systems.
Asked by: Robert Buckland (Conservative - South Swindon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether his Department has received reports on the potential impact of Chinese investment in the Caspian Sea region on the Iranian economy.
Answered by David Rutley
We are aware of growing Chinese investment in the Caspian Sea region. The UK recognises that China is an important source of aid, trade and investment for many countries, and has become a dominant player in Iran's economy. The 25 Year Strategic Cooperation Agreement from March 2021 is reported to include Chinese investment in Iran across areas such as oil production and surveillance technology. However, the relationship is unbalanced: only 0.25% of Chinese trade output heads to Iran, whereas China makes up almost 25% of Iran's total trade.
Asked by: Robert Buckland (Conservative - South Swindon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government is taking to help deescalate violence in Gaza.
Answered by David Rutley
On 10 May, the Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, made clear the UK condemns the indiscriminate rocket fire from Gaza targeting innocent civilians in Israel, that attacks on civilians are unacceptable, and that violence must stop. The UK welcomes the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and militant factions in Gaza, brokered by Egypt. The ceasefire must now be honoured to prevent the loss of further civilian life. The UK will support all efforts to promote dialogue and create a pathway towards sustainable peace.
Asked by: Robert Buckland (Conservative - South Swindon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps the Government will take with the East African Community on helping to ensure that the elections in the Democratic Republic of Congo in December 2023 are free and fair.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
The UK Government has a long-standing commitment to supporting prosperity, development, and stability in Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The UK is working with stakeholders to support the delivery of elections this year. We continue to emphasise the need for these to be free, fair, inclusive, and transparent to support long-term stability and prosperity. We engage frequently and at a senior level with the Partner States of the East African Community (EAC) on regional security issues through our missions, and in the UK. We support the EAC led Nairobi Process, a regional process which aims to counter the latest spiral of violence in eastern DRC. We have committed funding towards this process.
Asked by: Robert Buckland (Conservative - South Swindon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential humanitarian impact of an expulsion of Afghan refugees in Turkey.
Answered by Leo Docherty
Turkey retains the sovereign right to decide who it admits into and deports from the country and has no obligation to explain its decisions to other governments. Turkey is host to the largest number of refugees in the world, approximately 15% of the world's refugee population.
Asked by: Robert Buckland (Conservative - South Swindon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of the de facto closure of BBC Persian and BBC Arabic on the UK's soft power.
Answered by David Rutley
The FCDO strongly values the work of the BBC World Service in promoting UK values globally through its independent and impartial broadcasting. The Integrated Review recognised the BBC's foreign language services as part of what makes the UK a soft power superpower.
Through the World2020 programme, the FCDO funds 12 language services and provides enhancements to certain services funded by the Licence Fee, including BBC Arabic. The remaining 29 services, including BBC Persian, are fully funded by the Licence Fee.
The BBC is operationally and editorially independent from Government, and therefore decisions about how language services are delivered are for them to take. Under the plans they announced last year, no language services will close. Whilst radio broadcasts for BBC Arabic and BBC Persian are ceasing, TV broadcasting for these services will continue and investment in digital services will increase, reflecting audience trends. BBC have provided assurance that audiences in need will still be served, regardless of these changes.
Asked by: Robert Buckland (Conservative - South Swindon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the level of press freedom in Cameroon, in the context of the murder of Martinez Zogo.
Answered by Andrew Mitchell
On 23 January, the British High Commission in Yaoundé issued a statement condemning the torture and killing of journalist Martinez Zogo. We continue to urge the authorities to fully investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr Zogo's death and ensure those responsible are brought to justice. Reporters Sans Frontiers ranks Cameroon 118th out of 180 countries on media freedom, suggesting that there remain challenges. The British High Commissioner continues to raise media freedom, including with the Cameroonian Deputy Foreign Minister on 7 February, and is engaging with journalist associations.
Asked by: Robert Buckland (Conservative - South Swindon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the Chinese National Petroleum Corp agreement to extract oil from the Amu Barya basin in Afghanistan.
Answered by Leo Docherty
Any deal between the Taliban and China on trade and investment is a matter for them. China invests in many countries, including Afghanistan.
Asked by: Robert Buckland (Conservative - South Swindon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps his Department is taking to support the Moldovan Government in countering Russian (a) political influence and (b) disinformation.
Answered by Leo Docherty
The UK resolutely supports the Moldovan government and people in the face of Russian aggression and disinformation. On 21 November, I [Minister Docherty] represented the UK at the 3rd Moldova Support Platform in Paris and met Moldovan Foreign Minister Popescu. I reiterated the UK's support for Moldova as did the Foreign Secretary when he met Foreign Minister Popescu on 26 October. Through our alliances and direct support we are helping build a stronger, more resilient Moldova, including through our work on anti-corruption, counter-disinformation and reform for which in 2022 we announced £12 million of additional funding over the next 3 years.
Asked by: Robert Buckland (Conservative - South Swindon)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what assessment he has made of impact of the resurgence of militant groups, including the Haqqani Network and the Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan on the security of (a) Afghanistan and (b) the surrounding region.
Answered by Leo Docherty
The UK expects the Taliban to uphold its commitments made in the Doha agreement, including on preventing the use of Afghan territory by terrorist groups. We are monitoring closely the activity of groups such as the Haqqani network and their impact on the security of Afghanistan, the region and the UK.
We raise security on a regular basis with international counterparts and regional partners. On the 9th January Minister Mitchell raised regional security during a bilateral meeting with the Pakistani Prime Minister and Foreign Minister at the International Conference on Climate Resilience in Pakistan.