HL Deb 30 June 1997 vol 581 cc1-3

The Earl of Carlisle asked Her Majesty's Government:

What steps they will take to persuade the Russian Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Mr. Primakov, to sign the negotiated border treaty with Estonia.

Lord Whitty

My Lords, we welcome the recent agreement between Russia and Estonia to establish a joint commission. We and our European partners will continue to take every opportunity to urge the Russians and Estonians to take further steps towards normalising relations, including the signature of a border agreement.

The Earl of Carlisle

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply. The noble Lord is no doubt aware that the document in relation to the treaty has been awaiting signature on Secretary of State Primakov's table for the last eight-and-a-half months. Will the noble Lord request the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, the right honourable Member for Livingston in another place, to urge Secretary of State Primakov, when he next sees him, to sign the document as speedily as possible? Will he add that any further delay or prevarication would be counterproductive to the interests of the Soviet federation?

Lord Whitty

My Lords, my right honourable friend the Foreign and Commonwealth Secretary met Foreign Minister Primakov on the fringes in Denver, at which time relations with the Baltics were raised. Moreover, he is intending to visit Moscow some time in July. I shall certainly ensure that he bears in mind the issues which the noble Earl raised. A border agreement between Russia and Estonia would be a major contribution to normalisation and peace in the Baltic area.

Lord Chesham

My Lords, what are the implications of delay over the border treaty between Estonia and Russia for Estonia's integration into the EU? Will the Government give an assurance that Estonia's application will be judged on the objective criteria laid down by the European Council in Copenhagen in June 1993 and that, therefore, any decisions will reflect the impressive transformation of Estonia's economy, legislative harmonisation and democratic institutions rather than the geopolitical situation?

Lord Whitty

My Lords, I can indeed give the noble Lord that assurance. As he says, both administrative and economic progress in Estonia have been impressive. Its application to join the EU will be considered on its merits. As the noble Earl and other noble Lords know, there will be a Commission opinion on the Estonian application and others in July.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My Lords, have all Russian troops and other Russian placemen now left Estonia? Will there be some means of making sure that they do not re-enter Estonia in the new relationship which is being developed with Russia?

Lord Whitty

My Lords, I am sure that the best means of ensuring that there is no military action on the border between Russia and Estonia is to reach agreement on the border issue. The Russian troops are reported to have left, but I am not sure that I can give a totally unequivocal answer in relation to placemen. However, as part of the general normalisation of arrangements, one would hope that those matters can be discussed bilaterally between the Russians and Estonians. We and our European partners will ensure that that happens.

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