§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what UK diplomatic representation there is in the five central Asian republics; what plans are in hand to improve this representation; and if he will make a statement. [62325]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienThe Government have embassies in four of the five central Asian countries. We opened an embassy in Dushanbe in December 2001 and a drugs liaison officer will be posted there shortly. We also plan to open an embassy in Bishkek in 2003, and a diplomat will be posted to Bishkek to supervise the setting up of the mission. The embassy in Tashkent has been reinforced with a defence attache. We have recently reinforced the embassy in Ashgabat with a drugs liaison officer, and a regional defence attache has been posted to Almaty. These additional resources reflect the importance HMG attaches to relations with the five central Asian republics.
§ Harry CohenTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs when he plans to visit the five central Asian republics; and if he will make a statement. [62324]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary had planned a tour of the region in November 2001, but had to postpone his visit owing to essential operational requirements. The Foreign Secretary hopes to visit the region in due course.