25 Feb
Question
Europe: Diplomatic Co-operation

The Question session held in the House of Commons revolved around diplomatic cooperation between the UK and European countries post-Brexit, with a special focus on security, economic growth, and the situation in Ukraine. During the lively exchange, the emphasis was placed on expanding diplomatic relations and boosting economic investments while retaining the UK's strategic stance on not rejoining the European Union customs union. The session also highlighted issues related to regional security, particularly involving the Baltic states, and the broader geopolitical tension stemming from Russia's actions in Ukraine.

300 miles between the Russian-held Kaliningrad territory and Estonia's border.

Highlighting the geographical implications of potential Russian aggression in the Baltic region.

Outcome

The session underscored strong bipartisan support for Ukraine against Russian aggression. It emphasized continued diplomatic engagements with European counterparts to strengthen security in the Baltic region and economic collaborations with European countries. Key measures included fostering investments in the UK and promoting strategic sanctions that aid Ukraine's defense efforts.

Key Contributions

Freddie van Mierlo
Liberal Democrats

Inquired about steps to enhance diplomatic cooperation with European allies.

Stephen Doughty

Outlined ongoing diplomatic and defense collaborations with European counterparts.

Fred Thomas
Labour

Raised concerns over potential Russian military interests in the Baltic states.

Wendy Morton
Conservative

Inquired about the process of unfreezing sanctioned assets for Ukraine's defense and strengthening Europe's security measures.

Calum Miller
Liberal Democrats

Criticized US opposing UK-initiated UN resolutions.

Original Transcript
Freddie van Mierlo
Henley and Thame
LD
Question
UIN: 902808

8. What steps he is taking to increase diplomatic co-operation with his European counterparts.

The Minister of State, Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office
Stephen Doughty
11:58

The Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary, the Minister for the Cabinet Office and I are engaging extensively with European counterparts, including through the Prime Minister’s attendance of a European Council meeting for the first time since Brexit.

We are working closely with European allies, and are calling for increased defence spending and support for Ukraine. This deeper engagement has already delivered results on growth and security, including a landmark defence and migration agreement with Germany.

Freddie van Mierlo

The Thames valley is one of the most important economic zones in this country.

At a recent meeting that I held with the business leaders of the Thames Valley chamber of commerce, the overwhelming message was that Brexit has been a disaster for business, and that Boris Johnson and the Tories did them dirty.

Will the Minister commit to correcting that wrong, and start negotiations to join a European Union customs union?

Stephen Doughty
11:59

We have been very clear that we do not seek to rejoin the customs union, but our co-operation is already delivering results, particularly in relation to growth and business.

We recently secured a £250 million Czech investment in Rolls-Royce small modular nuclear reactors, and a further £600 million investment by Polish firm InPost in its UK operations, and as I have said, we have also signed deals on migration with Serbia, Kosovo, Slovenia and Slovakia.

Fred Thomas
Plymouth Moor View
Lab
12:00

Ceasefire talks between Russia and Ukraine are under way, whatever our opinion of them, but the eager eye of Putin may now look to other former Soviet countries, such as the Baltic states.

I was in Estonia a couple of weeks ago, and the distance between the Russian border and the Russian-held Kaliningrad territory is just 300 miles. For context, that is roughly what I travel every week to Plymouth from London.

What steps are the Government taking to deter the Russians from looking at possible future military action there?

Mr Speaker

I call the shadow Minister.

Wendy Morton
Aldridge-Brownhills
Con
12:01

The UK can be proud of the leadership it has shown in supporting Ukraine and rallying our international partners around this cause.

What work is the Minister leading, with European allies, on unfreezing sanctioned assets, so that they can be used to equip Ukraine, and what is his timeframe for releasing critical sanctioned funds, so that they can be used to strengthen Europe’s defence of our values, security and defence?

Stephen Doughty
12:01

As the right hon. Lady knows, we have already done important work with European partners to secure the extraordinary revenue acceleration loan, which will make a tangible difference to Ukraine.

We continue to work with European partners on sanctions, and of course, we are considering all lawful options going forward. We have had important discussions in the Weimar group and through the G7, and will continue to look, with European counterparts, at all options for supporting Ukraine.

Mr Speaker

I call the Liberal Democrat spokesperson.

Calum Miller
Bicester and Woodstock
LD
12:02

It was shocking yesterday to see the United States vote with the despots of North Korea, Belarus and Russia against a UN resolution proposed by the UK and other European democracies.

Liberal Democrats want to see the UK lead in Europe against Putin’s war on Ukraine, so we were pleased to hear the Foreign Secretary say yesterday that he was taking forward our Liberal Democrat proposal that the £40 billion of frozen Russian assets held in European central banks be seized and given to Ukraine.

Can the Minister confirm that the Foreign Secretary will push the US Administration to join in that initiative when he visits Washington later this week?

Stephen Doughty

I am genuinely glad of the continued cross-party co-operation on Ukraine, which we saw during the Foreign Secretary’s statement yesterday. Of course, that includes getting important resources.

I am not quite sure that the proposal was a Liberal Democrat proposal, but I think there is a united front across this House on getting Ukraine the resources that it needs.

We will continue to work with European counterparts in support of Ukraine at the United Nations, across Europe and through NATO, using all the means that we can to support Ukraine militarily, economically and diplomatically.

All content derived from official parliamentary records