HC Deb 23 January 2002 vol 378 cc884-6W
Mr. Ancram

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs 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 other Ministers accompanied him; and what the total cost was of each visit. [28789]

Mr. Straw

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

12 September

  • Special GAC Brussels.
  • Belgium—Secretary General Solana, President Prodi, Vice-President Kinnock, Commissioner Lamy, Commissioner Patten.

21 September

  • Extraordinary European Council, Brussels.

24-27 September

  • Jordan—King Abdullah, Prime Minister al-Ragheb, Foreign Minister Khatib, President Arafat.
  • Iran—President Khatemi, Foreign Minister Dr. Kharrazi.
  • Israel—Prime Minister Sharon, Foreign Minister Peres.
  • Egypt—President Mubarak.

8 October

  • GAC Luxembourg.

17 October

  • GAC Luxembourg.

17–18 October

  • Turkey—President Sezer, Prime Minister Ecevit, Foreign Minister Cem.

23–25 October

  • USA—Vice-President Cheney, Secretary of State General Powell, Secretary of State for Defence Rumsfeld and Deputy Secretary of Defence Wolfowitz.

29 October

  • GAC Luxembourg.

30–l31 October

  • Russia—Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov, Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov.
  • Poland—Prime Minister Miller, Foreign Minister Cimoszewicz.

9–14 November

  • USA—UNGA.

19 November

  • GAC Brussels.

19–20 November

  • Spain—Foreign Minister Pique.

21–23 November

  • Iran—Foreign Minister Dr. Kharrazi, Abdullah Abdullah (now Foreign Minister of the Interim Administration in Afghanistan).
  • Pakistan—President Musharraf, Foreign Minister Sattar.
  • Bahrain—Foreign Minister Shaikh Mohammed bin Mubarak Al-Khalfia.

6–7 December

  • Belgium—NAC Meeting.

10 December

  • GAC Brussels.

13–15 December

  • Belgium—Laeken European Council.

21–23 January

  • Democratic Republic of Congo—President Kabila, Foreign Minister Ukitundu.
  • Rwanda—President Kagame, Foreign Minister Bumaya.
  • Burundi—President Buyoya, Vice-President Ndayizeye.
  • Uganda—President Museveni, Foreign Minister Wapakhabulo.

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

The Prime Minister attended the Extraordinary European Council in Brussels on 21 September and the Laeken European Council in Brussels, 13-15 December. The Chancellor of the Exchequer attended the Laeken

European Council. The Minister for Europe attended the GACs on 29 October, 10 November and 19 November and the Laeken European Council.

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

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