Georgia: Imprisonment of Mikhail Saakashvili
Debate between Lord Carlile of Berriew and Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park(1 year, 9 months ago)
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Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Con)
I can absolutely assure noble Lords that that is exactly what the UK is focusing on in our discussions with the Government of Georgia.
Lord Carlile of Berriew (CB)
Will our Government remind the Government of Georgia that their abandonment of rule of law standards will affect the otherwise plentiful opportunities for economic and business co-operation between our two countries, not least because our Government will be bound to advise businesspeople of the danger of working in Georgia, and political risks insurers will simply refuse insurance for debts mounted in Georgia?
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Con)
The noble Lord is of course right. The broader context—the backdrop—is for the Georgian Government to act and behave in a manner that takes them forward towards their broader Euro-Atlantic aspirations. We are a firm supporter of those aspirations; we believe that further integration with the EU and NATO will deliver greater prosperity and security for both Georgia and Europe. UK programmes fully support democratic reforms and NATO interoperability aimed at progressing the Georgian Government’s aspirations.
Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe
Debate between Lord Carlile of Berriew and Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park(3 years ago)
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Lord Carlile of Berriew (CB)
My Lords, does the Minister agree that one of the ambitions of this country is that Iran should adhere to the rule of law? If so, should we not be adhering to the rule of law—and, therefore, will he now give us a very clear “yes” or “no” reply to my noble and learned friend Lord Judge’s very straightforward question, which he has yet to answer?
Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Con)
Yes, of course, it is in everyone’s interest that Iran as a country adheres to the rule of law, just as the UK does on a routine and permanent basis.