§ Mr. ShersbyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to his answer of 9 November,Official Report, column 546, what was the substance of the discussions between his Department and representatives of the Tunisian Government on the question of human rights; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Douglas HoggThe most recent occasion on which we have discussed human rights with the Tunisian Government was in October when our ambassador in Tunis led an EC troika delegation at a meeting with the Tunisian deputy Foreign Minister. This was an 869W opportunity for a wide-ranging discussion on human rights and democracy. The troika drew attention to the declaration issued at the Lisbon European Council on relations with the Maghreb. This declaration underlines the importance the EC attaches to respect for human rights.