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 bilateral relations between the UK and the countries of the former Soviet Union; and if he will make a statement.

The UK has Embassies in all the countries of the former Soviet Union. Our engagement is aimed at fostering a more secure, stable and prosperous region, and increasing support for the rules-based international system. In all countries, we are looking to strengthen the bilateral relationship, by focusing on areas of cooperation where our interests overlap, whilst holding firm to our values.