§ Lord Hyltonasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will consult the Government of Germany before receiving the Deputy Premier or any other Minister from Turkey, and whether in all official exchanges with Turkey, they will emphasise the need for political solutions to the longstanding Kurdish question.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyWe are in regular contact with the German Government, at both ministerial and official level, on matters relating to Turkey. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary discussed Turkey with the German Foreign Minister, Herr Kinkel, when they met in Bonn on 31 March.
We frequently make clear to the Turkish Government at all levels our view that the conflict in the south east of Turkey must be settled within the rule of law and with due respect for human rights; we have repeatedly advised the Turks to seek a political rather than a military solution.