Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what recent assessment he has made of the (a) security and (b) political situation in (i) Abkhazia and (ii) South Ossetia.

Answered by Nusrat Ghani

We closely monitor the political and security situation in the breakaway regions of Georgia. In statements at the UN, Council of Europe and Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the UK has repeatedly condemned Russia's illegal presence and 'borderisation' tactics, as well as the Russification of the regions, including through the proposed Russian naval base at Ochamchire and through economic means. The UK fully supports Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, including the breakaway territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, in the face of continued hybrid aggression from Russia.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, when he last discussed (a) civil and (b) political rights with his Georgian counterpart.

Answered by Nusrat Ghani

The UK has worked to support the development of an open, democratic society in Georgia for many years. The Minister of state for Europe discussed issues relating to civil and political rights with the Georgian Ambassador most recently on 2 and 14 May. Her predecessor raised these and a range of other issues with Georgian counterparts during a visit to Tbilisi in November 2023.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what recent assessment he has made of the (a) security and (b) stability of the Caucasus region.

Answered by Nusrat Ghani

The UK strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the three states that make up the South Caucasus region. The UK welcomes recent peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the agreed progress on the delimitation of their international border. We wish to see a lasting and sustainable peace settlement reached as soon as possible and stand ready to support this process. The UK remains a close supporter of Georgian democracy and Euro-Atlantic aspirations in line with the will of the Georgian people and stands with Georgia against Russian hybrid pressure.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, what steps he is taking with his international counterparts to help counter disinformation originating in Russia in (a) the Caucasus, (b) Western Balkans and (c) Moldova.

Answered by Nusrat Ghani

The UK works closely with international partners to counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), including Russian-linked disinformation in the Caucasus, Moldova and Western Balkans. We work with partner governments, international organisations, civil society and media organisations to counter these diverse and evolving threats, which deepen grievances and fractures within communities. The UK will provide up to £13.5 million of support this year to facilitate the identification of, and responses to, the diverse threats arising from FIMI. The Minister of State for Europe is presently in the Western Balkans and raising this issue directly with counterparts.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Deputy Foreign Secretary, pursuant to the Answer of 9 May 2024 to Question 24244 on British Overseas Territories, when he plans to publish the refreshed strategy on the Overseas Territories.

Answered by David Rutley

Following the announcement of a General Election on the 4 July 2024, publication of the refreshed UK Government Strategy for the Overseas Territories has to be deferred.

Found: effectiveness of the implementation of the UK sanctions regime against Russia and Belarus Lead Memb er: Stephen