Written question asked by Lord Laird (Ulster Unionist Party), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Baroness Kinnock of Holyhead (Labour) on Monday, 9 November 2009.

Foreign Policy

Question: To ask Her Majesty's Government in exercising their foreign policy, what are the characteristics of an area by which they regard it as a country.

Answer: As a matter of foreign policy, the Government do not take a view as to whether an area is a country. The term "country" has no specific meaning under international law unlike the term "state". The issue is really whether an area or a country can be recognised as a state. The normal criteria which the Government would apply for the recognition of a state remain those that are set out in the Written Answer dated 16 November 1989 (Official Report, col. 494 ) by the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. They are that "it should have, and seem likely to continue to have, a clearly defined territory with a population, a Government who are themselves able to exercise effective control of that territory, and independence in their external relations. Other factors, including some United Nations resolutions, may also be relevant".

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 5958; 714 c113WA
Session: 2008-09
Related items: {value: 93522, field_name: "type_ses"}
Thursday, 16 November 1989
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Foreign policy Recognition of states
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk