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Written question asked by Lord Jones of Cheltenham (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 4 July 2016, in the House of Lords. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 July 2016. It was answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns (Conservative) on Wednesday, 13 July 2016 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

British Indian Ocean Territory: Mauritius

Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they plan to maintain current relations with Mauritius, in the light of the intention of Mauritius to seek an advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on the sovereignty of Mauritius over the Chagos Archipelago.

Answer

The United Kingdom value the historic relationship of trust and cooperation that we share with the Republic of Mauritius. It is therefore with great concern that we note the intention the Prime Minister of Mauritius expressed to the Parliament of Mauritius on 17 May to seek a referral by the UN General Assembly to the International Court of Justice this autumn, in order to obtain an advisory opinion in relation to the British Indian Ocean Territory (Chagos Archipelago).

Referral of this matter to the International Court of Justice would cause lasting damage to Mauritius’ bilateral relations and we have respectfully sought the Prime Minister of Mauritius’ assurance that he does not intend to proceed with such action, and that he will return to a constructive path. Mauritius stands to benefit from friendly relations, including in relation to the British Indian Ocean Territory, where the UK and Mauritius are already engaged in talks that aim to implement the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea arbitral award of March 2015 and give due regard to Mauritius’ interests in matters of marine conservation in the British Indian Ocean Territory.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
HL941
Session
2016-17
Subjects
British Indian Ocean Territory Foreign relations Mauritius Sovereignty International Court of Justice
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk