Debates between Tobias Ellwood and Ian C. Lucas during the 2015-2017 Parliament

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Tobias Ellwood and Ian C. Lucas
Tuesday 23rd February 2016

(8 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Tobias Ellwood Portrait Mr Ellwood
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May I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for that quote and for the work that she has done in pioneering the role that women can play? That is something that Staffan de Mistura, the UN envoy, recognises, and he is trying to include women’s voices in the peace talks that are taking place at the UN. On our front, British training is taking place in northern Iraq, and UK training teams will train female units in the Peshmerga.

Ian C. Lucas Portrait Ian C. Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab)
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Further to the question from the hon. Member for Reigate (Crispin Blunt), who chairs the Select Committee on Foreign Affairs, what is the Minister’s current assessment of relations between the Turkish Government and the Kurdistan Regional Government?

Tobias Ellwood Portrait Mr Ellwood
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It is an important relationship that the two are developing, not least because there are economic benefits for both from the sale and movement of oil. As my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has outlined, there are concerns in Turkey because of the role, involvement and influence of the PKK, and we will monitor that carefully.

Saudi Arabia

Debate between Tobias Ellwood and Ian C. Lucas
Tuesday 5th January 2016

(8 years, 10 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Tobias Ellwood Portrait Mr Ellwood
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We are very much focused on de-escalating tensions between the two countries, for the reasons I have outlined, not just for the benefit of Saudi Arabia and Iran, but because there is much to be gained from getting back around the table and working on the progress made in 2015 to deal with the challenges in Syria and Iraq, and indeed in Yemen.

Ian C. Lucas Portrait Ian C. Lucas (Wrexham) (Lab)
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The international reaction to the executions was entirely predictable, not least from Iran. Given the precarious nature of the Vienna process at the moment, what confidence does the Minister have that the Saudi Government are committed to pursuing that process? Why does he believe that that commitment is still there?

Tobias Ellwood Portrait Mr Ellwood
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It is not just Saudi Arabia that we put pressure on to deal with human rights issues, and indeed with the death penalty; we also put pressure on Iran, which executes far more people—that point has not yet been made today. However, the reaction from President Rouhani, and indeed from Saudi Arabia, recognising that they must encourage and continue regional discussions on these other issues, has been noted. Flights and diplomatic relations have been broken off, but we have been given assurances that those who wish to can continue to visit the holy sites of Mecca and Medina.