Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Israeli counterpart since the formation of the new Israeli Government on the illegal occupation of the West Bank and the proposed annexation of territory.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
We made clear our concerns about reports that the new Israeli Government coalition has reached an agreement, which may pave the way for annexation of parts of the West Bank, at the UN Security Council remote meeting on the Middle East Peace Process on 20 May. The Foreign Secretary reiterated this message during a call with Israeli Alternate Prime Minister Gantz on 20 May. The UK position is clear: any unilateral moves towards annexation of parts of the West Bank by Israel would be damaging to efforts to restart peace negotiations and contrary to international law. We will continue to press Israel and the Palestinians strongly on the need to refrain from taking actions which make peace more difficult.
Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assistance the UK Government is providing to the Greek Government in moving refugees from the Greek Islands to a place of safety.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The British Government remains committed to supporting the Greek Government's efforts to manage migration effectively. Current UK support includes provision of both interpreters in the migrant camps and search and rescue operations in the Aegean.
Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the Government is providing assistance to (a) UK-based NGOs and (b) UK citizens undertaking humanitarian work on the Greek island of Lesbos.
Answered by Wendy Morton
The British Government remains committed to supporting Greece's efforts to manage migration effectively and is working with the Greek Government to this end. Current UK support continues to be through provision of interpreters in the migrant camps, £500,000 funding for humanitarian supplies for the hotspot islands, as well as search and rescue operations in the Aegean.
Asked by: Colum Eastwood (Social Democratic & Labour Party - Foyle)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his counterpart in Greece on (a) that Government's methods of monitoring and patrolling its borders and (b) the effect of those methods on the humanitarian programme to assist refugees.
Answered by Wendy Morton
We are concerned by the situation on the Greek border and UK officials remain in close contact with the Greek Government. The British Government remains committed to supporting Greek efforts to manage migration effectively. We are working both bilaterally and with our international partners to this end.