Tuesday 13th July 2010

(14 years, 3 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Howell of Guildford Portrait Lord Howell of Guildford
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The noble Baroness is correct that the Sri Lankan Minister has been there and played an important part, as has the US ambassador. I am not sure about EU representation at the moment, but it obviously has an interest. We are working with all our partners in a proper concern to see that this republic prospers, without in any way interfering, as was suggested in an earlier question.

Lord Bates Portrait Lord Bates
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Does my noble friend agree that representations to the Government of the Maldives would be a lot easier to make if the diplomatic representation was present there rather than in Sri Lanka?

Lord Howell of Guildford Portrait Lord Howell of Guildford
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That is certainly true, but there have to be constraints on our resources. The high commission in Colombo is very active and a British official is now in the Maldives and about to attend a major climate conference in the coming week.