§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why they allowed the new Burmese Foreign Minister, U Win Aung, to fly to London on Sunday 22 November; and whether this contravened the European Union Common Position on Burma, which imposed a ban on entry visas for senior members of the ruling State Peace and Development Council (SDPC). [HL151]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanU Win Aung remained Ambassador to the Court of St. James until 28 November. Until then, he was entitled under the Vienna Convention to the privileges and immunities of an Ambassador. He returned to the UK as Ambassador (and as such already had a valid visa) to discharge his Ambassadorial duties.
He has now relinquished his post as Ambassador, and left the UK. Having done so, he is subject to the visa restrictions under the EU Common Position.
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§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they consulted the European Commission prior to the visit of U Win Aung to London on 22 November; and whether the European Commission supported the Government's action in allowing the visit. [HL152]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanHer Majesty's Government did not consult the European Commission, nor were we under any obligation to do so. We pursued urgently with EU Partners the updating of the EU visa restrictions list to catch all those affected by the Burmese Cabinet reshuffle: agreement was reached on 3 December.
§ Lord Moynihanasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have received representations from other European Union member states concerning the visit of U Win Aung to London on Sunday 22 November. [HL153]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanSome EU Partners asked about Win Aung's status: we explained that Win Aung remained Ambassador until 28 November. He was allowed to return to the UK as such in order to discharge his Ambassadorial functions.