Somaliland Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateDepartment: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
Earl of Courtown
Main Page: Earl of Courtown (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)Department Debates - View all Earl of Courtown's debates with the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office
(6 days, 13 hours ago)
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Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
The noble Lord has summarised what I have tried to say very well, and I thank him for that.
The Earl of Courtown (Con)
My Lords, I thank the noble Baroness, Lady Hoey, for bringing this matter to the attention of the House. It is an important issue. As the Minister said, stability in the region is paramount. She also mentioned the influence of the African Union. We have to take this matter further and encourage dialogue between the parties themselves so that sovereignty can be recognised for Somaliland. Can the Minister comment on ways of persuading the parties to this disagreement to come to the table and come to an agreement?
Baroness Chapman of Darlington (Lab)
I thank the noble Earl for the approach he has taken to this topic. It is our role to encourage dialogue, but I do not think it is our role to specify what the outcome should be, so that is the approach that we will continue to take.