§ Mr. TrendTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs for what reason the British Council has closed down its operation in Belarus. [142802]
§ Mr. HainThe decision to close in Belarus followed a strategic review by the British Council designed to maximise its effectiveness world wide. Its new strategy involves updating its overseas network to ensure maximum impact in countries of greatest importance to the United Kingdom, and to free up funds for investment in new, IT-based services. This entails closing in a small number of countries, as well as expanding in some others.
§ Mr. TrendTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what support the Government are giving to the OSCE mission in Belarus. [142801]
§ Mr. VazThe UK, with EU partners, strongly supports the work of the OSCE's Advisory and Monitoring Group (AMG) in Belarus, including through appropriate interventions at the OSCE Permanent Council in Vienna, in other international fora, through public statements in Belarus and beyond, and in private contacts with the Government of Belarus. Her Majesty's Government provides 9 per cent. of the common costs of the AMG and one of the five international staff members of the AMG—a political and legal counsellor. We have also made voluntary contributions to support OSCE projects in Belarus.