HC Deb 11 May 2004 vol 421 cc151-2
7. Angus Robertson (Moray) (SNP)

What his Department's latest assessment is of the situation in the autonomous Georgian region of Adzhara. [171835]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr. Bill Rammell)

I welcome Abashidze's departure from Adzhara and I am pleased that the tense situation there has been resolved without violence. That will help President Saakashvili's attempt to build a democratic and stable Georgia. I also welcome the constructive role played by the Russian Government in bringing this about.

Angus Robertson

I thank the Minister for his reply. Is he concerned about the fact that the Georgian Government are taking steps to expel Mr. Plamen Nikolov—special representative of the Council of Europe's Secretary-General Walter Schwimmer—following statements by Mr. Schwimmer on Adzhara? Does the Minister think that that helps or damages Georgia's international reputation, at a time when its Government say that they want to enhance the country's democratic and human right standards?

Mr. Rammell

I thank the hon. Gentleman for giving me notice of this question. I have seen today's press reports that Plamen Nikolov, special representative of the Council of Europe's Secretary-General Schwimmer in Georgia, is being expelled, and I am concerned at that development. As I have said, much progress has been made in Adzhara, and that has been widely welcomed internationally. In that regard, it is critical that Georgia continue to work with the Council of Europe to fulfil its obligations.

Valerie Davey (Bristol, West) (Lab)

Bristol constituents who are actively involved in the twinning of Bristol and Tbilisi have followed developments in Georgia with some interest, as Members can imagine. What active role are the British Government taking in ensuring greater stability for that country in future?

Mr. Rammell

We, along with the wider international community, have an interest in achieving a secure and stable Georgia. We are investing £2.5 million through the Department for International Development, we have a special representative in the region and we are advising and assisting the parliamentary reform process and defence sector reform. So it is fair to say that we are critically engaged and doing everything that we can to take Georgia forward in this important task.

Back to
Forward to