§ Mr. WareingTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he regards(a) Latvia and (b) Estonia as meeting Her Majesty's Government criteria of states practising good government; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggLatvia and Estonia observe the principles of good government, including respect for human rights and the rule of law. Since regaining independence both states have made welcome and significant progress on political and economic reform and on building democratic institutions. Estonia's accession to the Council of Europe and its signing of the European convention on human rights demonstrates the progress it has made; following Latvia's successful conduct of its elections, we look forward to the earliest possible Latvian accession to the Council of Europe.