Contributions
1,953 recent contributions in Hansard
HANSARDBosnia and HerzegovinaI have to confess that I find myself in complete accord with the points that the hon. Gentleman makes.09 Nov 2021HANSARDBosnia and HerzegovinaMy hon. Friend makes the incredibly important point that we would much prefer to resolve the situation through diplomatic efforts and persuasion rather than force. That will be…09 Nov 2021HANSARDBosnia and HerzegovinaAs I have said, the UK is not formally a member of EUFOR, having left the European Union, but we have secondees in the NATO headquarters in Sarajevo and we have been very…09 Nov 2021HANSARDBosnia and HerzegovinaMy hon. Friend makes the incredibly important point that this is not a situation in which countries in the region will be disinterested. We have active bilateral conversations…09 Nov 2021HANSARDBosnia and HerzegovinaI understand the hon. Gentleman’s point about the Dayton accords. They serve an important function in underpinning peace; I do not think that they were ever envisaged as a…09 Nov 2021HANSARDBosnia and HerzegovinaI appreciate that, Mr Speaker. My hon. Friend will know that the UK has zero tolerance for holocaust denial, wherever it comes about. I can assure her that we will continue…09 Nov 2021HANSARDBosnia and HerzegovinaThe hon. Lady, as always, puts forward thoughtful ideas. I will pay close attention to her final point. It is essential that we never allow the genocide that happened to be…09 Nov 2021HANSARDBosnia and HerzegovinaMy hon. Friend is absolutely right that international trade is a force for good and a force for peace. “When goods cross borders, soldiers do not”—I paraphrase, but I am sure that…09 Nov 2021HANSARDBosnia and HerzegovinaThe hon. Gentleman is right to highlight the work of the late Lord Ashdown. Indeed, I should have paid tribute to him in my opening statement, because his work was incredibly…09 Nov 2021HANSARDBosnia and HerzegovinaMy hon. Friend again speaks with great passion, but, perhaps more important, with authority and experience on this issue. I pay tribute to the work that she and the other members…09 Nov 2021HANSARDBosnia and HerzegovinaI think the hon. Lady is frankly wrong in her assessment. This is not a question about Afghanistan, but she will know that we started the evacuation process in Afghanistan in…09 Nov 2021HANSARDBosnia and HerzegovinaMy hon. and gallant Friend makes an important point about the need for visible support for the institutions that have helped to keep the peace for such a long time. My hon. Friend…09 Nov 2021HANSARDBosnia and HerzegovinaThe hon. Gentleman makes an important point. We recognise that EUFOR is there to play a particular role. We would, of course, all collectively much prefer to prevent, rather than…09 Nov 2021HANSARDBosnia and HerzegovinaI thank my hon. and gallant Friend for his points. I recognise the contribution he has made and his understanding of the issues in the region. He is right that those of us who…09 Nov 2021HANSARDBosnia and HerzegovinaMy hon. Friend is sadly right that we see the hand of Russia at play here. We need to work with the High Representative and our international partners to ensure that there is not…09 Nov 2021HANSARDBosnia and HerzegovinaThe hon. Gentleman makes some incredibly important points, and in many respects I echo the concerns that he has raised. With regard to working with our international partners,…09 Nov 2021HANSARDBosnia and HerzegovinaI reflect on the passion with which my hon. Friend puts forward the case, and he is completely right. The period of borders being redrawn in that region is behind us. We saw the…09 Nov 2021HANSARDAfghanistan: InquiryI will take the hon. Gentleman at his word. Being an honourable Member is not just some loose title; he is genuinely an honourable gentleman and I take him at his word. The…04 Nov 2021HANSARDAfghanistan: InquiryThe Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office takes very seriously the inquiries from Members from every part of the House, and we seek to answer them in a way that informs…04 Nov 2021HANSARDAfghanistan: InquiryI am grateful to my right hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood) for securing the debate, and I pay tribute to his long-standing commitment to…04 Nov 2021