Baltic States (Hansard, 24 July 1991)

§ 14. Mr. Flynn
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what new initiatives he has recently taken to strengthen links between this country and the Baltic states.

§ Mr. Douglas Hogg
Since new authorities were elected in the Baltic republics our contacts with them have developed steadily. Baltic leaders have paid several visits to London over the past year. British diplomats have been frequent visitors to the Baltic capitals. We keep in touch with the Estonia and Lithuania information offices in London. We are already backing projects in the Baltic republics through the know-how fund. We hope to add to these and to expand cultural and educational contacts through the British Council.

§ Mr. Flynn
As the attacks on the Baltic states by the Soviet Union have continued relentlessly with attacks on border stations and the present attempt to impose on the Baltic states the sale of all union factories at ruinously disadvantageous prices to those states, will the Minister assure us that the increased aid to the Soviet Union under the G7 agreement will be conditional on respect for the legitimate aspirations of the Baltic states, one of which is full independence?

§ Mr. Hogg
The hon. Gentleman makes a fair point. We have taken every opportunity, including the opportunity last week, to impress upon the Soviet Union the vital importance of getting down to meaningful negotiations with the Baltic republics. That is the only way forward and we will continue to stress that at every opportunity.

§ Mr. Wolfson
May I thank my hon. and learned Friend for his positive response on both points? May I encourage him to ensure that the Soviet Union is continually reminded of Britain's long-standing view about the illegitimate occupation of those lands and that we believe that their opportunity for economic growth will be much greater if they are allowed to pursue their own destinies?

§ Mr. Hogg
My hon. Friend is right to say that the British Government have never recognised the de jure integration of the three Baltic republics into the Soviet Union. He is also right to stress that it is absolutely vital that there are negotiations between the Baltic republics and the Soviet Government with a view to determining the future of those republics.