Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 16 January 2007, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 January 2007. It was answered by Geoffrey Hoon (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 January 2007 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Moldova

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans she has to invite (a) the President and (b) other Ministers from Moldova to visit the UK; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: The UK enjoys a constructive relationship with Moldova and welcomes opportunities for further co-operation. Over the last year, we have welcomed many high profile visitors from Moldova to the UK, including Ministers and parliamentarians. The Speaker of the Moldovan Parliament, Dr. Marian Lupu, visited the UK in February for meetings with Foreign and Commonwealth Office officials. Valeriu Ostalep, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and European Integration visited the UK in July 2006, and the Minister of Defence, Valeriu Plesca, visited the UK in September 2006, meeting with, among others, the Minister of State, my noble Friend Lord Drayson. I met the First Deputy Prime Minister, Mrs Zinaida Grecianii, on her visit to the UK in November. We continue to look for upcoming opportunities for inward visits from Modova.

Secondary information