§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps are being taken to secure representation for Somalia in the negotiations on the successor to the Lomé; Convention. [91090]
§ Mr. FoulkesSomalia does not have a government and is not formally represented in the negotiations on a new convention. However, we are concerned that the Somali people should be able to benefit from Lomé. As part of the negotiations, we are therefore considering, with our EU partners, how to take account of countries like Somalia, who are members of the Lomé family but are not able to sign or ratify any future agreement. We are pressing hard to ensure that an equitable solution is reached.