§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the impact of the construction of the planned bypass roads in the West Bank on the future economic viability of a Palestinian state. [118949]
§ Mr. HainTerritory, and other issues which may have an impact on the viability of any future Palestinian state, should be determined in negotiation between the two parties, rather than predetermined by the unilateral acts of either.
§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations he has made to the Israeli Government in response to their announcement of the re-activation of the building programme of bypass roads in the West Bank. [118985]
§ Mr. HainWe consider all settlement activity in the West Bank to be illegal and unhelpful to the peace process. We frequently make this view clear to the Israeli Government, and will continue to do so.
§ Dr. StarkeyTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what safeguards are included in the second phase of the European Union's assistance programme to the Palestinian Authority in support of counter-terrorism to ensure that human rights are protected. [118968]
§ Mr. BattleEU member states recognise the importance of human rights in their Counter-Terrorism Assistance Programme with the Palestinian Authority. Under Phase I of the programme, there was a dedicated human rights project run by the Wallenberg Institute of Sweden. This will continue under Phase II, although the EU member state(s) has/have not yet been chosen.
The UK, along with all EU member states, regards human rights as an important and integral part of the programme and takes every opportunity to convey this message to the Palestinian Authority. Human rights aspects of all projects under the programme are carefully monitored.