Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 July 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 27 July 1999. It was answered by Baroness Quin (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 July 1999 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, if the United Kingdom will continue to recognise Mr Lukashenko as President of Belarus after the expiry of his constitutional term on 27th July; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if the United Kingdom will continue to recognise Mr. Lukashenko as President of Belarus after the expiry of his constitutional term on 27 July; and if he will make a statement. [92805] Ms Quin: We recognise states rather than Governments. Therefore the question of recognition of President Lukashenko does not arise. In its declaration of 20 July, the EU made clear its view that President Lukashenko's mandate under the 1994 Constitution expired on that day.

Secondary information