Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what effect the merger of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development will have on the Government's priorities and objectives in South America.

The creation of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) is an important opportunity to increase Britain's influence around the world, while protecting and advancing our interests and values, including in South America. We will be developing policy and programmes reflecting the breadth of expertise and knowledge in the new Department.?South America is an increasingly important partner for the UK's global ambitions. We will be ambitious about taking the opportunity?that?our new Department's creation,?and the UK's departure from the EU will give us to strengthen partnerships with all those countries in the region that share our values and support a rules-based international system.

The?FCDO's mission statement commits us to pursuing UK national interests. Together with the Department for International Trade,?we will be working hard to grow UK trade with the region,?and to maintain and improve market access for British companies. It commits us to projecting the UK as a force for good in the world,?and we will continue to support the rule of law, justice,?and good governance through programmes and projects across the region, also working with partners in the region to advance our climate agenda.