Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, if he will start discussions with the Government of the Republic of Somaliland to agree a timeline and conditions for recognition.

The UK's position on this issue is unchanged; we believe that the settlement of Somaliland's status is an issue for Somalia and Somaliland to resolve. This requires a consultative process and dialogue, in which the UK encourages both Somalia and Somaliland to engage. Regarding the recent agreement between Ethiopia and Somaliland, the UK's position on recognition has not changed. On this we are in line with the African Union and other international partners.