As a committed State Party to both the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (APMBC) and Convention on Cluster Munitions (CCM), the UK urges all states to accede to both at the earliest opportunity, in line with respective obligations and provisions. We welcome Cyprus' existing status within the APMBC and encourage its future ratification of the CCM, recognising the unique security situation on the island. In accordance with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise the self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state.

The UK is unequivocal in its support for a mine-free Cyprus. The UN Peacekeeping Force in Cyprus (UNFICYP) works to create options for the sides to progress with the next phase of clearing hazardous areas across the island. Last year we contributed over £1.3 million to UNFICYP and we are consistently a leading contributor of personnel. In January, as penholder we drafted UNSCR 2723 which urged both leaders to overcome existing barriers and expedite demining progress in Cyprus.

British citizens who have complied with travel duration rules in the Schengen Area but do not have the relevant entry or exit passport stamps may challenge this if they provide the border guard evidence of when and where they entered or exited the Schengen Area, such as a boarding pass or transport ticket.

In accordance with the rest of the international community, with the sole exception of Turkey, the UK does not recognise the self-declared "Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus" as an independent state. The FCDO does not have personnel permanently based in the north of Cyprus.

The UK has worked to support the development of an open, democratic society in Georgia for many years. The Minister of state for Europe discussed issues relating to civil and political rights with the Georgian Ambassador most recently on 2 and 14 May. Her predecessor raised these and a range of other issues with Georgian counterparts during a visit to Tbilisi in November 2023.

We closely monitor the political and security situation in the breakaway regions of Georgia. In statements at the UN, Council of Europe and Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), the UK has repeatedly condemned Russia's illegal presence and 'borderisation' tactics, as well as the Russification of the regions, including through the proposed Russian naval base at Ochamchire and through economic means. The UK fully supports Georgia's territorial integrity and sovereignty, including the breakaway territories of South Ossetia and Abkhazia, in the face of continued hybrid aggression from Russia.

The UK strongly supports the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the three states that make up the South Caucasus region. The UK welcomes recent peace negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the agreed progress on the delimitation of their international border. We wish to see a lasting and sustainable peace settlement reached as soon as possible and stand ready to support this process. The UK remains a close supporter of Georgian democracy and Euro-Atlantic aspirations in line with the will of the Georgian people and stands with Georgia against Russian hybrid pressure.

The UK government remains supportive of any changes EU Member States make to their domestic visa systems which benefit UK Nationals living in and travelling to the EU.

The UK government continues to engage regularly with the European Commission and EU Member States on a wide range of mobility-related issues.

Non-compliance with UK sanctions is a serious offence that can result in prosecution. Departments and agencies from across His Majesty's Government are working together to support business compliance through the provision of detailed published guidance for exporters and financial institutions, including on circumvention red flags. We have been clear to UK business that they need to satisfy themselves that their goods will not end up in Russia in breach of sanctions, and must undertake robust due diligence. His Majesty's Revenue & Customs leads on the enforcement of trade sanctions at the border.

The UK works closely with international partners to counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), including Russian-linked disinformation in the Caucasus, Moldova and Western Balkans. We work with partner governments, international organisations, civil society and media organisations to counter these diverse and evolving threats, which deepen grievances and fractures within communities. The UK will provide up to £13.5 million of support this year to facilitate the identification of, and responses to, the diverse threats arising from FIMI. The Minister of State for Europe is presently in the Western Balkans and raising this issue directly with counterparts.

President Erdogan made an election campaign speech on 21 March which covered several areas, including the conflict in Gaza and the strengthening economy. On Gaza, the UK will maintain a dialogue with Turkey as a NATO ally and key actor on several conflicts in the region. On the economy, the UK has now launched negotiations for an upgraded Free Trade Agreement that will benefit both our economies.

We support the rights of all minority groups in Turkey, including Kurds, and we consistently encourage Turkey to uphold the rule of law and to live up to its international obligations as a founding member state of the Council of Europe. Most recently, the Permanent Under-Secretary of the FCDO discussed human rights and the rule of law with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Bozay at the UK-Turkey Strategic Dialogue on 10 January 2024. Our Embassy in Turkey regularly engage with political parties and diplomatic counterparts on this issue, and closely track related judicial cases such as the HDP closure and Kobani cases.

We support the rights of all minority groups in Turkey, including Kurds, and we consistently encourage Turkey to uphold the rule of law and to live up to its international obligations as a founding member state of the Council of Europe. Most recently, the Permanent Under-Secretary of the FCDO discussed human rights and the rule of law with Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Bozay at the UK-Turkey Strategic Dialogue on 10 January 2024. Our Embassy in Turkey regularly engage with political parties and diplomatic counterparts on this issue, and closely track related judicial cases such as the HDP closure and Kobani cases.

The FCDO publishes travel advice which provides guidance on the most relevant issues for British nationals visiting Kosovo, Taiwan and Cyprus, including the north of Cyprus. There are direct flights between the UK and Kosovo, and the UK and Taiwan. Under the Chicago Convention, direct flights are not permitted between the UK and the north of Cyprus. To allow otherwise would be counter to the UK's international obligations. The situations in Kosovo, Taiwan and Cyprus are different and require different approaches.

The UK has increased our military support to Ukraine this year by £500 million to £3 billion, and pledged to maintain that support until the end of this decade, or longer if required. The Foreign Secretary is in constant contact with international partners making the case for allies to increase their military support to Ukraine. His recent international engagement includes, for example: a visit to Ukraine on 2 May; meetings with NATO Foreign Ministers, G7 Foreign Ministers and his counterparts in the USA in April; Germany in March; and Poland, Bulgaria, France, G20 Foreign Ministers and the UN in February.

As a close NATO ally, we regularly engage the Turkish government on regional stability, including in Syria and Iraq. The Minister for the Middle East discussed this issue with the Turkish National Security Advisor on 11 April. The UK recognises Turkey's legitimate security interests in the region but encourages restraint from activity that could lead to further destabilisation or civilian loss of life.

Security and stability in the region are necessary to prevent the worsening of the already serious humanitarian situation in northern Syria and enable the Global Coalition and its partners to continue the fight against Daesh.

We do not routinely comment on the activities of non-UK personnel. The UK actively supports peace and stability in Cyprus as a leading troop contributor to UNFICYP and through our support for the UN-led settlement process.

We support the rights of all minority groups in Turkey, including Kurds, and follow this issue closely. We consistently encourage Turkey to uphold the rule of law and to live up to its international obligations as a founding member state of the Council of Europe.

We are deeply concerned about the current situation around Kharkiv and the ongoing attacks by Russia. UK partners on the ground are operating in this challenging context to provide support to displaced people and those affected near frontline areas, where humanitarian needs are already most severe and access to basic services is most constrained. To date, we have committed £357 million in humanitarian support to Ukraine and the region, which includes support to evacuate from frontline areas. Our partners are coordinating their efforts with the Government of Ukraine who are leading the response.

We will continue to monitor the situation around Kharkiv as it develops.

As of 1 January 2021, British citizens are treated as third-country nationals under the Schengen Borders Code. This means British citizens' passports should be stamped on entry to and exit from the Schengen Area, unless they can show evidence that they lawfully reside in an EU Member State or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country. Border guards will use passport stamps to check that third-country nationals are compliant in terms of the length of stay permitted in the Schengen Area. The Government engages with European counterparts at all levels to ensure the consistent application of the Schengen Borders Code.