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1003819

registered interest
date	09/11/2018
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	UNMIK
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 counterparts in (a) Kosovo and (b) Serbia on the (i) future of the UN Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo and (ii) vote of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo on 18 October 2018 to establish a national army for that country.
tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
uin	189635
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>The Foreign Secretary has not raised the issue of the future of UNMIK nor the vote in the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo on establishing an army with counterparts in either Serbia or Kosovo.</p><p>FCO officials are in regular discussion with the Government of Kosovo, including on the Kosovo Security Forces (KSF). The UK also conducts regular consultation with NATO Allies on the subject, given NATO's support to the KSF.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 19/11/2018 12:27:10 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

1003820

registered interest
date	09/11/2018
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	Kosovo: Armed Forces
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the effect of the vote of the Assembly of the Republic of Kosovo on 18 October 2018 to establish a national army on efforts to normalise relations between Kosovo and Serbia.
tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
uin	189636
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 19/11/2018 answer text <p>We support Kosovo's sovereign right to have security forces or, if they so choose, armed forces, and we have encouraged the Government of Kosovo to make any changes to the existing Kosovo Security Forces in close consultation with NATO.</p><p>We support the EU-facilitated Dialogue aimed at normalising relations between Kosovo and Serbia, which is in both sides' interest. We look to both parties to act in ways that support normalisation.</p> answering member constituency Rutland and Melton answering member printed Sir Alan Duncan question first answered 19/11/2018 12:28:52 answering member 343 label Biography information for Sir Alan Duncan
tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

1003821

registered interest
date	09/11/2018
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	Syria: Islamic State
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 his Department has had with the (a) Government of Turkey and (b) Syrian Democratic Forces on the reported suspension of operations against Daesh by the SDF in response to recent strikes carried out by the Turkish air force in and around Kobane.
tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
uin	189637
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>The UK, with our allies, has raised concerns with Turkey about the recent escalation and we have stressed that our shared goal, as members of the Global Coalition against Daesh, must remain completing the defeat of Daesh. The Coalition has made similar points to the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF). Following a reduction in violence, the SDF announced on 11 November the resumption of operations against Daesh.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 15/11/2018 15:55:16 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

1003822

registered interest
date	09/11/2018
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	Algeria: Elections
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 help ensure that the 2019 Algerian presidential election is free and fair.
tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
uin	189638
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2018 answer text <p>The UK is aware that presidential elections are due to be held in Algeria in 2019, and is following developments. A number of aspects remain unclear. As a general policy the UK provides financial and technical assistance to international organisations that carry out election observation missions, in particular the European Union, the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and the Commonwealth.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 16/11/2018 13:05:46 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

1003824

registered interest
date	09/11/2018
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	Burundi: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his counterpart in Burundi on the failure of that Government to attend the fifth and final round of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue in Tanzania between 25 and 29 October 2018; and what assessment he has made of the prospects for a resumption in talks between that Government and the opposition in Burundi on resolving the political crisis in that country.
tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
uin	189639
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 16/11/2018 answer text <p>I met with the Burundian Foreign Minister at UNGA and stressed the importance of Burundi participating in the latest round of the Inter-Burundi Dialogue, so it is disappointing that they did not attend.</p><p>The British Government continues to support the process, noting the importance regional actors play in enabling an inclusive dialogue, with all parties. We call on the Burundian Government to remain committed to resolving the political crisis.</p> answering member constituency West Worcestershire answering member printed Harriett Baldwin question first answered 16/11/2018 13:12:52 answering member 4107 label Biography information for Dame Harriett Baldwin
tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

1002685

registered interest
date	06/11/2018
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Syria: Abduction
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what recent assessment her Department has made of the risk of kidnap for ransom to (a) aid workers and (b) other representatives of non-governmental organisations operating in Idlib province in Syria.
tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
uin	188759
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/11/2018 answer text <p>Kidnapping for ransom poses a threat to the safety and security of aid workers and NGO staff operating throughout Syria, including in Idlib province. The UK continues to call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians and humanitarian actors, so aid can reach those in desperate need, and those responding to the crisis can help the most vulnerable without fear of attack. Under a duty of care to their staff, humanitarian agencies should be conducting risk assessments and taking appropriate mitigating action to protect workers. The UK will continue to support any action to protect humanitarian actors throughout the country.</p><p> </p><p>The UK does not make ransom payments, on the basis that providing money or property fuels terrorist activity and encourages further kidnappings. Any payment to, or for the benefit of, a proscribed terrorist organisation is contrary to UN sanctions, and therefore illegal. DFID aid complies with UK and international counter terrorism legislation, and our funding agreements commit partners to understand and comply with international counter terrorism legislation. All partners undergo a stringent due diligence process and strict controls and procedures are in place to prevent diversion, to ensure that UK aid reaches its intended beneficiaries.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt grouped question UIN 188761 question first answered 13/11/2018 17:58:53 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

1002686

registered interest
date	06/11/2018
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	Syria: Abduction
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information her Department holds on the organisations responsible for the kidnap for ransom of (a) aid workers and (b) other representatives of non-governmental organisations operating in Idlib province in Syria.
tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
uin	188760
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 12/11/2018 answer text <p>​A number of armed groups operate in Idlib province, several of which have either engaged in or pose a risk of kidnap for ransom. There remains a very high risk of kidnapping in Idlib and throughout Syria, which can be for financial or political gain. An individual's occupation may not protect them against kidnapping, and many terrorists in Syria view those engaged in humanitarian aid work as legitimate targets. We continue to advise British nationals against travel to Syria and our Travel Advice highlights the very real threat from kidnapping.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 12/11/2018 16:08:41 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

1002687

registered interest
date	06/11/2018
answering body	Department for International Development
answering dept id	20
answering dept short name	International Development
answering dept sort name	International Development
hansard heading	Syria: Abduction
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, whether funding allocated by her Department to non-governmental organisations operating in Idlib province in Syria has been used to make ransom payments to obtain the release of kidnapped aid workers in 2018.
tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
uin	188761
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 13/11/2018 answer text <p>Kidnapping for ransom poses a threat to the safety and security of aid workers and NGO staff operating throughout Syria, including in Idlib province. The UK continues to call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law and protect civilians and humanitarian actors, so aid can reach those in desperate need, and those responding to the crisis can help the most vulnerable without fear of attack. Under a duty of care to their staff, humanitarian agencies should be conducting risk assessments and taking appropriate mitigating action to protect workers. The UK will continue to support any action to protect humanitarian actors throughout the country.</p><p> </p><p>The UK does not make ransom payments, on the basis that providing money or property fuels terrorist activity and encourages further kidnappings. Any payment to, or for the benefit of, a proscribed terrorist organisation is contrary to UN sanctions, and therefore illegal. DFID aid complies with UK and international counter terrorism legislation, and our funding agreements commit partners to understand and comply with international counter terrorism legislation. All partners undergo a stringent due diligence process and strict controls and procedures are in place to prevent diversion, to ensure that UK aid reaches its intended beneficiaries.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt grouped question UIN 188759 question first answered 13/11/2018 17:58:53 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

1002688

registered interest
date	06/11/2018
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	Syria: Politics and Government
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what estimate he has made of the proportion of the area of Idlib province in Syria that is under the control of (a) Hay’at Tahrir a-Sham and (b) the Syrian Salvation Government.
tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
uin	188762
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and the HTS-affiliated so-called Syrian Salvation Government retain influence over parts of Idlib province. However, given the fluid situation and the often limited extent of governance on the ground, it is not possible to provide a reliable estimate for territorial control.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 15/11/2018 15:12:43 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry

1002689

registered interest
date	06/11/2018
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	Syria: Abduction
house id	1
legislature	25259 pref label House of Commons
question text	To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what information he Department holds on the organisations responsible for the kidnap for ransom of (a) aid workers, (b) lawyers and (c) other civil society representatives operating in Idlib province in Syria.
tabling member constituency	Islington South and Finsbury
tabling member printed	Emily Thornberry
uin	188763
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 15/11/2018 answer text <p>A number of armed groups operate in Idlib province, several of which have either engaged in or pose a risk of kidnap for ransom. There remains a very high risk of kidnapping in Idlib, as there is throughout Syria, which can be for financial or political gain. An individual's occupation may not protect them against kidnapping, and many terrorists in Syria view those engaged in humanitarian aid work as legitimate targets.</p> answering member constituency North East Bedfordshire answering member printed Alistair Burt question first answered 15/11/2018 16:08:23 answering member 1201 label Biography information for Alistair Burt
tabling member	1536 label Biography information for Emily Thornberry