Written question asked by Lord Luce (Crossbench), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord Howell of Guildford (Conservative) on Monday, 7 June 2010.

Somalia

Question: To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they will recognise Somaliland as an independent sovereign state if the presidential election in June is free and fair.

Answer: Recognition of Somaliland as an independent state is not connected to the holding of free and fair presidential elections. However, the Government will continue to support actively the staging of democratic elections. Free and fair elections in June can only strengthen the reputation of Somaliland in the international community. The criteria applied by the UK for recognition of a state remain as described 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.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 76; 719 c28WA
Session: 2010-12
Related items: {value: 93522, field_name: "type_ses"}
Thursday, 16 November 1989
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Elections Recognition of states Somaliland
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk