§ Ms AbbottTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures the Government have taken to assist in the relief of the refugee crisis in Chechnya. [98311]
§ Mr. VazWe have provided £0.5 million in response to the Red Cross' emergency appeal. The EU has also 1.2 million euro available for humanitarian assistance. We and our partners have pressed the Russians to allow free movement across the Chechen/Ingush border of those fleeing the fighting, to allow access by international humanitarian missions, and to support the rapid, secure and reliable distribution of international aid.
§ Ms AbbottTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what measures the Government have taken to persuade the Russian Government to seek a diplomatic solution to the conflict in Chechnya. [98312]
§ Mr. VazMy right hon. Friend the Prime Minister urged Russian Prime Minister Putin to seek a political solution when he wrote to him on 4 November. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary reinforced this message when he spoke to the Russian Foreign Minister on 6 November. The EU General Affairs Council on 15–16 November, and the OSCE Summit on 17–18 November, will be further opportunities to press the Russians on this.