§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what factors underlay the decision to invite the President of Peru, Alberto Fujimori, as an official guest of the Government; and what human rights issues he will raise during the President's visit. [46532]
§ Mr. Tony LloydThe invitation to President Fujimori to visit Britain was originally extended in 1996. The principal objective of this visit is to strengthen our already good relations with a country where we have important and growing commercial interests. We also want to improve co-operation with Peru on areas of importance to UK interests such as drugs, environmental protection and human rights.
The visit provides a good opportunity to discuss the human rights situation in Peru in general and to express support for the Peruvian Government's commitment to improving their performance in this field.