The Earl of Carlisleasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many short term placements on an ad hoc basis have been allocated by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and other government departments to the Republic of Estonia to assist in the pre-accession negotiations; and when they will be taken up. [HL160]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanOne short-term placement for an Estonian official has been offered so far by the FCO. This is likely to involve other government departments and will be taken up in the early part of 1999. We welcome this latest development in our deepening relations with Estonia.
This department has already hosted a number of diplomats from the Central European candidate countries, and further placements are in the pipeline. The FCO is also encouraging other government departments to offer similar placements in their sectors.