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101404

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Gibraltar
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to encourage support from legislators in the US for British sovereignty over Gibraltar.
	tabling member constituency	Romford
	tabling member printed	Andrew Rosindell
	uin	212291
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text I am grateful for the support that members of the US Congress have shown for Gibraltar and we are working with them to build support for Gibraltar’s right to choose to remain under British sovereignty. The UK has given a firm commitment that we will never enter into arrangements under which the people of Gibraltar would pass under the Sovereignty of another State against their wishes. Furthermore we have given an assurance that we will not enter into a process of Sovereignty negotiations with which Gibraltar is not content. The wishes of the people of Gibraltar to remain British must be respected. The UK’s position on sovereignty was reaffirmed most recently in the UN Fourth Committee. answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 04/11/2014 15:11:53 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	1447 label Biography information for Andrew Rosindell

101554

	registered interest
	date	29/10/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Cyprus
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent reports he has received of the misselling of and corruption related to mortgages for properties for UK citizens buying in Cyprus; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Blaydon
	tabling member printed	Mr David Anderson
	uin	212434
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p>Officials in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office regularly brief me on the scale of property problems in Cyprus and the distressing impact it is having on individuals. Most cases of mis-selling relate to purchases that were made between 2005 and 2010. Many purchasers and investors were advised to take out mortgages in Swiss Francs. As the Swiss Franc strengthened the cost of loans rose. Those affected complain that they were not properly advised that interest rates and exchange rates could rise which would affect the cost of their mortgage over time. We are also aware of allegations that lawyers and property professionals were working collectively and against the best interests of foreign buyers.</p><p>The British Government has no authority to intervene in matters concerning Cypriot domestic legislation. However, we continue to work with the Cypriot government to assist in finding resolutions to problems related to property purchases in Cyprus. This has included organising working visits to the UK for staff from the Cypriot Land Registry and the Financial Ombudsman. The High Commission is involved in assisting with public sector reform - specifically with the Ministry of Justice and local government – which will ultimately impact on the way property issues are dealt with.</p><p>Although we cannot intervene in individual cases, we do raise wider property problems by lobbying at high level. Both the Leader of the House of Commons and First Secretary of State, my Rt Hon Friend the Member for Richmond (Yorks) (Mr Hague), and I have raised property issues experienced by British nationals with the Cypriot Foreign Minister, Ioannis Kasoulides. Most recently I raised the subject with Mr Kasoulides on 23 July and Cyprus property mis-selling was raised in the UK Parliament on 22 July. The All Party Parliamentary Group for the Defence of the Interests of British Property Owners in Cyprus also met and discussed the issue on 14 October. Our former and current High Commissioners in Cyprus have regularly raised property issues with the Cypriot Attorney-General and the Finance Minister.</p><p>Our lobbying is having an effect. The Cypriot government has set up a Ministerial Committee to look at addressing property issues. This is a positive step and we are working with the authorities to encourage the committee to take effective action.</p><p>We recognise the significant impact that property disputes has on many families in the UK, some of whom risk losing their life savings. We strongly believe that those affected should continue to pursue their cases through the Cypriot (and if appropriate the UK) courts though we recognise that for many this will be an expensive and protracted route. In parallel we remain committed to lobbying at high level to encourage the Cypriot government to take effective action to resolve existing problems and to reform the property sector to prevent such problems occurring in the future.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 04/11/2014 15:14:47 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	1486 label Biography information for Mr David Anderson

101392

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Lord Mayor of London
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, how many times the Lord Mayor of London has travelled overseas on an official visit organised and funded by his Department; for what purpose each visit was undertaken; what class of travel was used in each case; and at what cost on each occasion.
	tabling member constituency	North Durham
	tabling member printed	Mr Kevan Jones
	uin	212236
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p>The information requested is not held centrally and could only be obtained at disproportionate cost.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 04/11/2014 15:16:52 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	1438 label Biography information for Mr Kevan Jones

101389

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	South Ossetia
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to promote dialogue between the Georgian government and South Ossetia; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
	tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
	uin	212200
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text The UK continues to encourage all parties to the conflicts in Georgia, including Russia, to work constructively towards a long-term settlement. We hold frequent discussions with the Georgian government encouraging them to engage with the breakaway regions and with international processes including the Geneva International Talks, the only forum at present where all parties to the conflict meet. We also engage with the EU and other international partners to explore how dialogue between Georgia and its breakaway regions could be promoted. The UK-Georgia Dialogue in London in late November will provide a further opportunity to discuss Georgia’s approach to Abkhazia and South Ossetia. The UK plays a leading role in funding projects aimed at improving engagement and dialogue across the conflict divide. For the 2014/15 financial year, the UK is funding over £1.2 million of projects in Georgia from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence, and Department for International Development Conflict Pool focused on this issue. answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 04/11/2014 15:13:39 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

101390

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Nagorno Karabakh
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to promote dialogue between Azerbaijan and Armenia on Nagorno-Karabakh; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
	tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
	uin	212202
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p>I plan to visit both countries in early November where I expect to meet members of their Governments to underline the UK’s keen interest to see this dispute settled peacefully. In addition, UK officials hold discussions with both the Armenian and the Azerbaijani Governments where possible to underline our support for a swift resolution. The UK supports the work of the Minsk Group Co-Chairs at mediating negotiations, and continues to encourage all the parties to engage constructively.</p><p>Through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and Department for International Development Conflict Pool, we have also provided £1.5 million over the past three years for projects aimed at promoting dialogue, and strengthening the civil societies of both countries.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 04/11/2014 17:09:09 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

101391

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Montenegro
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what discussions he has had with his Montenegrin counterpart on Montenegro joining NATO; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
	tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
	uin	212208
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) met with his counterparts from NATO Allies and NATO’s aspiring members (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia and Montenegro) on 4 September 2014 during the NATO Summit in Wales. During this meeting their progress towards joining the Alliance was discussed, among other issues. At the Summit, NATO Foreign Ministers agreed to commence ‘intensified and focused talks’ with Montenegro before reassessing their progress no later than December 2015. The United Kingdom strongly supports NATO’s Open Door policy on enlargement and welcomes the membership aspirations of all the countries currently seeking to join the Alliance. answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 04/11/2014 17:07:43 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

101393

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Georgia
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Georgian counterpart on Georgia joining NATO; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
	tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
	uin	212205
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) met with his counterparts from NATO Allies and NATO’s aspiring members (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia and Montenegro) on 4 September 2014 during the NATO Summit in Wales. During this meeting their progress towards joining the Alliance was discussed, among other issues.</p><p>At the Summit, NATO Foreign Ministers agreed to provide a ‘substantial package’ of support and engagement measures to Georgia in recognition of the reform progress they have made.</p><p>The United Kingdom strongly supports NATO’s Open Door policy on enlargement and welcomes the membership aspirations of all the countries currently seeking to join the Alliance.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 04/11/2014 17:09:38 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

101394

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Bosnia and Herzegovina
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with his Bosnian counterpart on Bosnia and Herzegovina joining NATO; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
	tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
	uin	212212
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p>The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my right hon. Friend the Member for Runnymede and Weybridge (Mr Hammond) met with his counterparts from NATO Allies and NATO’s aspiring members (Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Macedonia and Montenegro) on 4 September 2014 during the NATO Summit in Wales. During this meeting their progress towards joining the Alliance was discussed, among other issues.</p><p>At the Summit NATO Foreign Ministers reaffirmed their continued support for Bosnia and Herzegovina to meet the established conditions on which the next steps towards NATO depend.</p><p>The United Kingdom strongly supports NATO’s Open Door policy on enlargement and welcomes the membership aspirations of all the countries currently seeking to join the Alliance.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 04/11/2014 17:16:34 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby

101395

	registered interest
	date	28/10/2014
	answering body	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept id	16
	answering dept short name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	answering dept sort name	Foreign and Commonwealth Office
	hansard heading	Abkhazia
	house id	1
	legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
	question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what steps he is taking to promote dialogue between the Georgian government and Abkhazia; and if he will make a statement.
	tabling member constituency	Brighton, Kemptown
	tabling member printed	Simon Kirby
	uin	212210
	answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 04/11/2014 answer text <p>The UK continues to encourage all parties to the conflicts in Georgia, including Russia, to work constructively towards a long-term settlement. We hold frequent discussions with the Georgian Government encouraging them to engage with the breakaway regions and with international processes including the Geneva International Talks, the only forum at present where all parties to the conflict meet. We also engage with the EU and other international partners to explore how dialogue between Georgia and its breakaway regions could be promoted. The UK-Georgia Dialogue in London in late November will provide a further opportunity to discuss Georgia’s approach to Abkhazia and South Ossetia.</p><p>The UK plays a leading role in funding projects aimed at improving engagement and dialogue across the conflict divide. For the 2014/15 financial year, the UK is funding over £1.2 million of projects in Georgia from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Ministry of Defence and the Department for International Development Conflict Pool focused on this issue.</p> answering member constituency Aylesbury answering member printed Mr David Lidington question first answered 04/11/2014 17:13:42 answering member 15 label Biography information for Sir David Lidington
	tabling member	3929 label Biography information for Simon Kirby