HL Deb 25 June 1999 vol 602 cc117-8WA
The Earl of Carlisle

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What was the purpose of the visit to Estonia by the Minister of Transport, Glenda Jackson MP, on 2 and 3 June; and what it achieved. [HL2825]

Lord Whitty

My honourable friend the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, the honourable Member for Hampstead and Highgate, visited Estonia at the request of the Estonian Government on the 2 and 3 June 1999 to meet with the Estonian Foreign, Environment and Transport Ministers and to promote British business in Estonia.

Fruitful discussions were held over a variety of topics with the three Estonian Ministers, including trade and export promotion dossiers, environment and transport issues and Estonia's preparations for entry into the European Union. The ministerial meetings will be followed up by work at official level on strengthening contacts between the UK and Estonia in the fields of environment and transport and on assisting Estonia with its adoption of the EU acquis communautaire in these areas.