HC Deb 22 January 2003 vol 398 c352W
Mr. Gordon Prentice

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what steps he is taking to promote democracy in the Arab world. [91867]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

We promote democracy and good governance in the Arab world through dialogue with government and civil society, based on equality and respect, in particular for the Islamic principle of consultation (shura). Together with EU partners, we have supported initiatives designed to promote dialogue with Arab countries on human rights and civil society issues.