HL Deb 23 June 1993 vol 547 cc9-10WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether President Yeltsin's unwillingness to abide by existing constitutional mechanisms for reforming the constitution of the Russian Federation, despite his international commitment to "democratic principles and practices and to … the rule of law". will stand in the way of any EC-Russian partnership and co-operation agreement, and if not why not.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)

The current Russian constitutional conference convened by President Yeltsin is considering both presidential and parliamentary texts with the aim of producing an agreed draft. Representatives of the parliament, the government and of the republican and regional administrations are all participating. This conference follows popular endorsement for the President and his reform programme in the referendum of 25th April. Parliamentary elections may be held later this year or early in 1994. None of these procedures is at odds with democratic principles and practices, or the rule of law.

We see no imcompatibility with the negotiation of an EC/Russian partnership and co-operation agreement.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether it is their understanding that President Yeltsin's signature 9th November 1992 of the Treaty on the Principles of Relations between the United Kingdom and the Russian Federation binds him to the observance of the Rule of Law under Article 3 of the treaty within Russia, or only in the international field; and if the former, whether they will point out to him that a full observance of existing constitutional mechanisms within the Russian Federation, including those governing changes in the existing constitution, is expected of him by by his co-signatory, the Prime Minister.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

Article 3 of the treaty reiterates the commitment of both parties to the principles of democracy and the rule of law. President Yeltsin is seeking to establish a new constitution for a post-communist Russia based on these principles.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have examined the text of the document President Yeltsin has placed before the body he has unilaterally summoned, and which he wishes this body to approve as a new constitution for the Russian Federation, and if so whether they consider it would enable any President elected under it to exercise dictatorial powers, and whether it is in breach of the Treaty on the Principles of Relations between the United Kingdom and the Russian Federation signed last November.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

We have been following closely the debate in Russia about a new constitution. The constitutional conference, in which the President, representatives of the Russian Parliament, and leaders of the regions and republics of the Russian Federation are participating, is examining both presidential and parliamentary drafts for a new constitution. We understand that, if a draft is agreed at the conference, it is likely to draw on both texts.

There are no grounds for believing that the text of a new constitution would breach the terms of the UK/Russia treaty.