§ 8. Mr. Gordon Marsden (Blackpool, South)What recent discussions he has had with the Government of Tunisia and other near eastern states about their participation in the EU' s EuroMed agreements. [108537]
§ The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Mr. Peter Hain)My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary had a bilateral meeting with the Tunisian Foreign Secretary on 24 January. The Government have had regular contacts at various levels with the Tunisian Government.
§ Mr. MarsdenI thank my hon. Friend for that reply and I am delighted, given the importance of Tunisia as a country of stability in the Maghreb, that those contacts have been so recent and extensive. I urge him and the Foreign Secretary to continue to make strong representations to our European partners about the importance of the Maghreb and the near eastern countries in that process. With the forthcoming investment seminar on the EuroMed coming up in Lisbon in two weeks, I also urge them and their colleagues in the Department of Trade and Industry to give British companies every encouragement and incentive to invest in that area.
§ Mr. HainI will certainly give my hon. Friend, who takes a great interest in the matter, those assurances. We attach great importance to our relations with Tunisia, which was the first Maghreb country to sign up to an association agreement with the European Union.
§ Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York)Can the Minister say whether those negotiations include such topics as asylum seekers and immigrants seeking entry to the European Union?
§ Mr. David Heath (Somerton and Frome)I agree that contacts and dialogue between the countries of the Maghreb and Europe are vital. Might that prove a useful vehicle for persuading the kingdom of Morocco to comply with the United Nations referendum that is due in July 2000 on the future of Saharawi?
§ Mr. HainAs the hon. Gentleman is aware, both Morocco and others are committed to that UN policy. I had discussions with the Foreign Minister and, indeed, the Prime Minister on that policy when I visited Morocco only late last year.