Written question asked by Jimmy Wray (Labour) on Wednesday, 18 December 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 9 January 2003. It was answered by Mike O'Brien (Labour) on Thursday, 9 January 2003 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with EU representatives and countries surrounding the Caspian Sea regarding the securing of energy resources in the Caspian Sea region for European markets.

Answer: Mr. Wray: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with EU representatives and countries surrounding the Caspian Sea regarding the securing of energy resources in the Caspian Sea region for European markets. [88860] Mr. Mike O'Brien: Ministers and officials discuss Caspian energy issues with governments in the Caspian region and with EU partners on a regular basis. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary met Kazakh Foreign Minister Tokaev on 2 December and discussed UK energy investment in Kazakhstan. My hon. Friend the Minister of Energy (Mr. Wilson) visited Moscow recently and discussed energy issues, including the Caspian, with the Russian Energy Minister. Caspian energy issues are regularly discussed between EU partners and those Caspian countries with which the EU has Partnership and Cooperation Agreements (Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan).

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 88860; 397 c303W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Energy supply International cooperation Security Central Asia Caspian Sea
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk