§ Mrs. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many British citizens have gone missing in Turkey in the last 10 years; and how many have not subsequently been traced. [40846]
§ Mr. Fatchett174 British nationals have been reported missing in Turkey in the last 10 years. We have no way of knowing how many people have not subsequently been traced. Friends and relatives are quick to report missing persons but do not usually tell us once the person has made contact. We have information on only one current whereabouts inquiry and we have no reason to believe that any of the 174 others are still missing.
§ Mrs. VazTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on diplomatic relations with Turkey. [40847]
§ Mr. Doug HendersonWe attach great importance to our relations with Turkey, and value our dialogue on a wide range of issues.
As Presidency of the European Union, we are also working with our European partners and the European Commission to draw up a strategy to prepare Turkey for accession on the basis set out at the December 1997 European Council at Luxembourg.