Written question asked by Baroness Michie of Gallanach (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 8 July 1999, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 14 July 1999. It was answered by Lord Foulkes of Cumnock (Labour) on Wednesday, 14 July 1999 on behalf of the Department for International Development.

Dept for International Development

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development, what steps are being taken to secure representation for Somalia in the negotiations on the successor to the Lome Convention.

Answer: Mrs. Ray Michie: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what steps are being taken to secure representation for Somalia in the negotiations on the successor to the Lome Convention. [91090] Mr. Foulkes: Somalia does not have a government and is not formally represented in the negotiations on a new convention. However, we are concerned that the Somali people should be able to benefit from Lome. As part of the negotiations, we are therefore considering, with our EU partners, how to take account of countries like Somalia, who are members of the Lome family but are not able to sign or ratify any future agreement. We are pressing hard to ensure that an equitable solution is reached.

Secondary information