§ Mr. McCabeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what(a) Turkish and (b) Maltese Ministers are scheduled to visit the UK during the next 12 months; when the visits will take place; and if he will make a statement. [119290]
§ Mr. VazWe expect our close relations with both Turkey and Malta to be supplemented by visits to the UK from Turkish and Maltese Ministers over the next 12 months. However, at present, no dates have been fixed for any visits.
A number of senior Turkish Ministers have recently visited the UK. The Turkish Foreign Minister, Defence Minister, Minister for Agriculture and Minister for Privatisation visited in 1999; the Labour and Social Security Minister and the Interior Minister have already visited this year.
Both the Maltese Foreign Minister and Finance Minister visited the UK in 1999.
§ Mr. McCabeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what ministerial visits are being planned to Turkey and Malta over the next 12 months; for what purposes; and if he will make a statement. [119291]
§ Mr. VazWe expect our close relations with both Turkey and Malta to be supplemented by visits from UK Ministers over the next 12 months. I hope to visit both countries during the next 12 months.
A number of British Ministers have recently visited Turkey. My hon. Friend the Member for Cunninghame, North (Mr. Wilson), formerly the Minister for Trade, my hon. Friend the Member for Newcastle upon Tyne, North (Mr. Henderson), formerly the Minister for the Armed Forces, and my right hon. Friend the Member for Gateshead, East and Washington, West (Ms Quin), formerly Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, visited in 1999.
In the same capacity, my right hon. Friend also visited Malta in 1999.