HC Deb 14 January 2002 vol 378 cc86-7W
Mr. Ancram

To ask the Prime Minister if he will list the dates of foreign visits he has made since 11 September; which countries he visited; whom he met; what was discussed; what the size of his entourage was; which Foreign Office Ministers accompanied him; and what the total cost of the visit was in each case. [26757]

The Prime Minister

Since 11 September, I have made the following overseas visits and met the following leaders:

19 September

  • Germany—Chancellor Schröder

20 September

  • France—President Chirac
  • USA—President Bush

21 September

  • European Council meeting—Brussels

4 October

  • Russia—President Putin

5 October

  • Pakistan—President Musharraf

6 October

  • India—Prime Minister Vajpayee

9 October

  • Switzerland—Shaikh Zayed, Ruler of Abu Dhabi

10 October

  • Oman—His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said

11 October

  • Egypt—President Mubarak

19 Octobe

  • Belgium—Informal meeting of EU Heads of Government (Ghent)

31 October

  • Syria—President al-Assad
  • Saudi Arabia—King Fand of Saudi Arabia

1 November

  • Jordan—King Abdullah II of Jordan
  • Palestinian Authority—President Arafat
  • Israel—Prime Minister Sharon
  • Italy—Prime Minister Berlusconi 7

7 November

  • USA—President Bush

27 November

  • Germany—Chancellor Schröder

30 November

  • Ireland—Meeting of the British Irish Council

13–15 December

  • Belgium—European Council meeting (Laeken)

3–8 January 2002

  • Bangladesh—Prime Minister Khaleda Zia
  • India—Prime Minister Vajpayee
  • Pakistan—President Musharraf
  • Afghanistan—Hamid Karzai, Chairman of Afghanistan Interim Authority.

A range of issues were discussed during these visits, including the international coalition against terrorism, the middle east peace process, EU affairs, bilateral relations and regional issues.

The Foreign Secretary attended the European Council meetings on 21 September and 13–15 December. The Minister for Europe also attended the European Council meeting in December.

A detailed list of Cabinet Ministers' visits overseas and information on expenditure by all Ministers on travel overseas for the period 1 April 2001 to 31 March 2002 will be published as soon as possible after the end of the current financial year.

Ms Walley

To ask the Prime Minister what assessment he has made of the results of his visit to Pakistan in relation to Kashmir. [26935]

The Prime Minister

I discussed Kashmir with President Musharraf during my visit to Pakistan on 7 January, along with other bilateral and regional issues. I made clear our view that the issue of Kashmir can only be resolved through bilateral dialogue between Pakistan and India.

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