Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the ceasefire between coalition forces and the Taliban in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by Nigel Adams
The recent reduction in violence is a welcome respite for Afghans. It is clear that there is no military solution to the conflict.
The US-Taliban agreement is a positive milestone. It is important that talks between the Taliban and the Afghan government start soon to maintain momentum.
The UK is committed to supporting the Afghan people, including through our contribution to NATO Resolute Support Mission.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with representatives from the Economic Community of West African States on the security situation in those countries.
Answered by James Duddridge
The UK welcomes the recent statement by the UN and Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) of their commitment to work together towards peace, security and stability across West Africa and the Sahel. The UK regularly engages with ECOWAS and its member states on tackling terrorism and the underlying causes of conflict in the region. We will continue to identify opportunities for co-ordination and partnership, in particular as ECOWAS assumes responsibility within the framework of the African Standby Force High Readiness element from July.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his European counterparts on further sanctions against Russia as a result of that country's actions in Idlib, Syria.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
Building on new Syria sanctions announced on 17 February, we have been working with European and other partners to increase international pressure to ensure that the brutal offensive conducted by Russia and the Syrian regime force in Idlib ends and a lasting ceasefire is established.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of the Arms Trade Treaty in controlling the movement of arms in Africa.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The Arms Trade Treaty (ATT) is the only legally binding international conventional arms control treaty. It seeks to establish the highest possible common international standards for regulating the trade in conventional arms. By promoting consistent standards and enhancing transparency, the ATT can tackle the illicit transfer of arms, including in Africa. However, the Treaty can only achieve its goal if it is fully and universally implemented. Twenty-six African states are States Parties to the ATT; the UK continues to call on states that have not yet done so to accede to the Treaty. The UK strongly supports the ATT's Voluntary Trust Fund (VTF), which supports Treaty implementation. The UK has donated £311,000 to the fund and has served as a member of the VTF Selection Committee since the fund's inception.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
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 US counterpart on peace negotiations with the Taliban.
Answered by Nigel Adams
It is our longstanding position that a political solution to the conflict is the only way to achieve lasting stability in Afghanistan and the wider region. The UK welcomes both the agreement between the US and the Taliban, and the Joint Declaration between the United States and the Afghan Government. It is vital that the next step is a credible and inclusive peace process. The UK remains in close contact with the US about the situation in Afghanistan, peace efforts and the continuing NATO commitment to the Afghan National Security Forces.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether any UK Government officials will attend the funeral of former president of Egypt, Hosni Mubarak.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The UK was represented at the funeral by our Deputy Ambassador.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the potential for UK military hardware to be supplied by the United Arab Emirates to forces operating in Libya.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
HMG takes its arms export responsibilities seriously and operates one of the most robust arms export control regimes in the world. We can and do respond quickly and flexibly to changing or fluid international situations. We are able to review licences and suspend or revoke as necessary when circumstances require.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the Answer of 24 February 2020 to Question 606, whether Official Development Assistance allocated to Syria has included financial transfers via Syrian Government institutions and affiliated agencies.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The UK has committed over £3.1 billion Official Development Assistance (ODA) in response to the Syria Crisis, our largest ever response to a single humanitarian crisis. No British Government funding is provided through financial transfers via Syrian Government institutions and affiliated agencies. UK ODA funding is spent through carefully vetted partners and is closely monitored to ensure that our assistance reaches those most in need and to provide that assurance to the British taxpayer.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether the UK Government supports the removal through democratic means of Bashar Al-Assad in Syria.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
The UK's position on the Assad regime is unchanged: it has lost its legitimacy due to its atrocities against the Syrian people. Only an inclusive, non-sectarian government can unite the country and protect the rights of all Syrians. Our priority is to end the conflict in Syria through a negotiated political settlement on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 2254. We continue to strongly support the UN-led Constitutional Committee, and all efforts to create a safe, neutral environment that enables Syria to hold free and fair elections through which Syrians can choose their own government.
Asked by: Jonathan Edwards (Independent - Carmarthen East and Dinefwr)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of recent reports of Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
Answered by James Cleverly - Home Secretary
We are concerned by the recent escalation in Gaza, including indiscriminate rocket fire which places civilians at risk. Indiscriminate attacks against civilians are unacceptable and unjustifiable. The perpetual cycle of violence does not serve anyone's interests, and must end. Israel has a legitimate right to self-defence, and the right to defend their citizens from attack. In doing so, it is vital that all actions are proportionate, in line with International Humanitarian Law, and are calibrated to avoid civilian casualties. We call upon Hamas and other terrorist groups to permanently end their incitement and rocket fire against Israel. We urge all parties to adhere to the ceasefire arrangement.