Oral Answers to Questions

Lord Bruce of Bennachie Excerpts
Wednesday 13th March 2013

(11 years, 11 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Baroness Featherstone Portrait Lynne Featherstone
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The hon. Gentleman makes an important point. We are encouraging the resumption of aid by bilateral partners. In May, there will be a donor conference on Mali, which is an important step, not just as a pledging conference. There is a political crisis in Mali, and the solution is political, which is why we welcome the recent announcement by the Malian authorities to initiate a commission on dialogue and reconciliation.

Lord Bruce of Bennachie Portrait Sir Malcolm Bruce (Gordon) (LD)
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I thank my hon. Friend for her encouraging answer, but may I ask her to go further and consider whether the UK Government could work with France and the EU to address the fragility across the region and deliver co-ordinated and sustained development assistance to the Sahel and the whole region?

Baroness Featherstone Portrait Lynne Featherstone
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I thank my right hon. Friend. This very issue was discussed at the recent Development Ministers meeting. Stability in the Sahel—the wider region—is of absolute importance. The UK has committed £78 million in humanitarian support to the Sahel through various United Nations agencies, and we continue to work right across the region to create stability and peace.