§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he is having with the German Government on the establishment of joint embassies to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggWe are not having discussions with the German Government on the establishment of joint embassies in the Baltic states. The possibility of co-locating premises with the Germans or other diplomatic missions will be examined on the basis of practical factors. Following the re-establishment of diplomatic relations with the Baltic states on 6 September, we established an embasssy in each Baltic state in early October. Germany has established its own embassies. Our embassies keep in touch with their EC counterparts and other diplomatic missions on administrative matters and have been co-operating closely.
There are differing circumstances in each country. In Estonia, our embassy is currently renting temporary office space from the German embassy while both look for permanent premises. In Latvia there are former British and German embassy premises to which both Countries may return. In Lithuania, the British and German embassies are co-operating with each other and other missions in the difficult search for suitable accommodation.