§ Lord Aveburyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What conditions they propose to set for any increase or renewal of European Union aid to Turkmenistan; and whether they will seek to ensure that the response of the European Union, the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the United Nations and other International bodies reflect the recommendations of the OSCE Rapporteur on Turkmenistan. [HL279]
§ Baroness Symons of Vernham DeanEuropean Union aid to Turkmenistan is provided through the Technical Assistance to Commonwealth of Independent States (Tacis) programme. The current Tacis programming document states that allocations to Turkmenistan will be determined by evidence of progress in democracy and human rights.
The United Kingdom has consistently worked with the European Union and other international organisations to encourage the Turkmen Government to respond to the recommendations of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Special Rapporteur. We supported the successful tabling of resolutions at the 59th and 60th sessions of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights in 2003 and spring 2004 and also at the Third Committee of the UN General Assembly in 2003 and again in November 2004. These highlighted the need for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to have access to all prisoners, including those detained in connection with the attempted coup of November 2002.
Our ambassador has separately lobbied the Turkmen Foreign Minister on this issue, most recently 111WA on 24 November. He has also recently taken an opportunity to remind the Foreign Minister of the need for positive engagement with the new head of the OSCE Mission when (s)he is appointed.
We will continue to work with all interested parties for progress in democracy and human rights in Turkmenistan.