Lord Callanan

The UK's development assistance support for Cambodia is strategically aligned with our goals of promoting livelihoods, climate resilience, education and healthcare. Our funding has contributed to the clearance of over 65,000 landmines, the education of thousands of students, trained hundreds of farmers in the use of climate-smart agriculture and improved access to healthcare for communities across the country. Every programme undergoes rigorous assessment before approval, including checks to ensure it delivers impact in line with Cambodia's needs and UK objectives and is distinct from the efforts of other governments.

The UK has enduring interests in South-East Asia and is committed to maintaining regional security and stability. In the South China Sea, we are committed to international law, the primacy of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and to freedom of navigation and overflight. We oppose any action that raises tensions or the risk of miscalculation, take no sides in sovereignty disputes and encourage all parties to settle their disputes peacefully through the existing legal mechanisms, particularly UNCLOS.

The Sanctions Act and the Regulations made under it provides the legal basis for the UK to impose, vary, and revoke sanctions designations and sectoral sanctions. On 25 April the UK lifted sanctions on several sectors, including trade, energy production, transport (aircraft) and finance, in order to reflect the change in circumstances in Syria, facilitate investment and support the Syrian people to rebuild their country and economy. The UK's sanctions regime continues to hold Assad and his associates to account for atrocities committed against the Syrian people. We keep our sanctions regime under review.

The UK continues to support the Syrian Government to deliver its commitments to build a more stable, free and prosperous future for all Syrians. We have long condemned Iran's reckless and destabilising activity, which puts regional stability at risk. Following Assad's fall, we continue to monitor Iranian activity in Syria.

The Foreign Secretary visited Damascus on 5 July, to renew UK-Syria relations and reiterate UK support to the new Syrian Government as it seeks to rebuild the economy and deliver an inclusive political transition. A stable Syria is in the UK's interest and we have committed an additional £94.5 million of funding to provide urgent humanitarian aid, and support for Syria's longer-term recovery through education and livelihoods. We also lifted sanctions on some sectors, to help facilitate essential investment. Alongside allies, we continue to advocate and offer support for an inclusive political transition which protects the rights of all Syrians.