Asked by: Lord Rogan (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the Secretary of State for Defence or the Minister for Armed Forces attended the meeting between the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs and Micheál Martin, the Republic of Ireland’s Minister for Defence, in London on 13 December 2023; and what defence-related matters were discussed.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Neither the Secretary of State for Defence nor the Minister for Armed Forces attended the meeting in question. The Foreign Secretary and the Tánaiste discussed a wide range of foreign policy, defence and security matters, including international development, peacekeeping, the Israel-Gaza conflict, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, and the shared threat we face from malign state actors.
Asked by: Lord Rogan (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government when they intend to review official travel advice for UK nationals visiting the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
In accordance with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise the self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state. The UK recognises the Republic of Cyprus as the sovereign authority of Cyprus. We regularly review official travel advice for UK nationals travelling abroad, including to the Republic of Cyprus.
Asked by: Lord Rogan (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many British expats currently reside in the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus; and by how many this number has increased since 2004.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
In accordance with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise the self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state. The UK recognises the Republic of Cyprus as the sovereign authority of Cyprus. Approximately 30,000 British Nationals reside in Cyprus, of which we estimate that 10,000-15,000 are based in the north of the island. We do not monitor year on year changes in the number of British Nationals residing in the north of Cyprus.
Asked by: Lord Rogan (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 18 September (HL9844), what discussions if any they are holding with the government of the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus to support both Greek Cypriots and Turkish Cypriots living in the village of Pile.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
In accordance with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise the self-declared 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' as an independent state. The UK recognises the Republic of Cyprus as the sovereign authority for the island of Cyprus. We have engaged with all parties, including Turkish Cypriot authorities, about recent events in the UN Buffer Zone. We welcome the diplomatic understanding announced on 9 October and recognise the constructive approach taken by all sides, along with the critical role of the UN, to find a way forward that meets the needs of both communities.
Asked by: Lord Rogan (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the decision by the government of Northern Cyprus to open the town of Maraş/Varosha and invite Greek Cypriot property owners to reclaim their properties.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
In accordance with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise the self-declared 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' as an independent state. The UK recognises the Republic of Cyprus as the sovereign authority for the island of Cyprus. The UK supports the numerous United Nations Security Council Resolutions (UNSCRs) covering the issue of Varosha, the alongside the related 2021 United Nations Security Council (UNSC) Statement. On 12 July the UK, as UNSC President, issued a press statement on Cyprus stressing the need to avoid unilateral actions which could raise tensions on the island and undermine the prospects for a peaceful settlement.
Asked by: Lord Rogan (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what logistical support, if any, they are providing to Turkish Cypriots wishing to travel to the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus from the UK.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
In accordance with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise the self-declared 'Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus' as an independent state. The United Kingdom recognises the Republic of Cyprus as the sovereign authority for the island of Cyprus. The FCDO publishes travel advice which provides guidance on the most relevant issues for British nationals visiting or resident in Cyprus. This includes information for those travelling to the north of Cyprus.
Asked by: Lord Rogan (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what recent discussions the Prime Minister has had with the Prime Minister of Israel.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Prime Minister met Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on 24 March. The leaders discussed shared security and defence challenges, and Prime Minister Sunak outlined international apprehension at growing tensions in the West Bank and the risk of undermining efforts towards the two state solution. He encouraged all efforts to de-escalate and also stressed the importance of upholding the democratic values that underpin our relationship, including in the proposed judicial reforms in Israel. The UK remains committed to making progress towards a two-state solution, resulting in a safe and secure Israel living alongside a viable and sovereign Palestinian State; based on 1967 borders with agreed land swaps, with Jerusalem as the shared capital of both states.
Asked by: Lord Rogan (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what official support, if any, was provided to former Prime Minister Liz Truss in relation to her recent visit to Taiwan.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
His Majesty's Government does not get involved in the independent travel decisions of parliamentarians who are not a member of the government. As is standard practice, the FCDO provided a short background note setting out HMG's position on Taiwan and facilitated logistical contact between the former Prime Minister's accompanying protection team and the Taiwanese authorities. No official support was provided on the visit programme.
Asked by: Lord Rogan (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what were the policing costs for (1) the visit by President Biden to Northern Ireland, and (2) the Agreement 25 Conference at Queen’s University, Belfast; and whether the Police Service of Northern Ireland will be reimbursed.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
President Biden visited the UK as a Guest of Government. It is long-standing policy not to comment on protective security arrangements. To do so could compromise the integrity of those arrangements and affect the security of the individuals concerned.
Asked by: Lord Rogan (Ulster Unionist Party - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of current relations between the UK and the Republic of Ireland.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The strength of the bilateral relationship between the UK and Ireland is of fundamental importance to both countries. Our interconnected histories, cultures, and economies make it vital that the UK and Ireland are able to work together in a spirit of friendship, understanding, and cooperation. We have a shared responsibility for upholding the Belfast/Good Friday Agreement, to which the Government is firmly committed. Most recently, the Prime Minister spoke to Taoiseach Leo Varadkar on 23 January, and the Foreign Secretary to Tanaiste and Foreign Minister, Micheál Martin on 2 February.