§ Mr. StreeterTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs why there is no UK embassy in Kyrgyzstan; and if he will make a statement. [162393]
§ Mr. RammellWe regret that financial constraints currently prevent the opening of an embassy in Kyrgyzstan. However, we still hope to appoint a locally-engaged member of staff from our embassy in Almaty, Kazakhstan, to the DflD office in Bishkek.
We have had to contend with competing demands across the Former Soviet Union where we have sought to expand operations in virtually all aspects of mission activity, including counter-narcotics co-operation, good governance, and aid. This increased activity has severely stretched our budgets.
In the meantime, we will continue to give our ambassador and his staff in Almaty all the help and support we can to complement the sterling efforts they are making.