argyrotsipi/train-dataset huggingface dataset:
Colombia: Political Prisoners — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Edward Glyn Davies (Conservative, Centre-right): The United Kingdom has supported the Colombian Government of Juan Manuel Santos throughout the difficult, recently concluded and very welcome peace process, and we have pledged our continuing support through the United Nations and the European Union. Will the Minister outline what specifically will be supported, and tell us whether the Colombian people and civil society will be included in the discussions on how the funds will be allocated?
Colombia: Political Prisoners — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is right to suggest that 2016 was an historic year for Colombia. The peace deal with the FARC ended the longest conflict in the western hemisphere. He asks about the range of support that we are providing for the peace process. It includes a contribution of £7.5 million to the UN trust fund, with more than £2 million dedicated to de-mining.
Colombia: Political Prisoners — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Alok Kumar Sharma (Conservative, Centre-right): I can confirm that we are concerned by reports of violence against human rights defenders, which has increased in 2016. Those attacks have increased in areas from which the FARC is withdrawing, which is disturbing. We will of course raise these matters with the Colombian Government, particularly the importance of security in conflict-affected areas.
Yemen — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): Despite signing the partnership for peace agreement, the Houthis invaded the capital, Sana’a, placed Ministers under house arrest, took over ministerial buildings and committed extra-judicial killings. The Saudi-led military coalition was formed, following the legitimate request from President Hadi as set out in United Nations Security Council 2216. It is in this context that the UK supports the military intervention.
Yemen — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): There is nothing in that question with which I would disagree. Saudi Arabia is an important ally in the region. Its security and the region’s security is our security, too, but as the right hon. Gentleman also articulated, Saudi Arabia is unused to conducting such sustained warfare and it needs to learn. We are standing with Saudi Arabia to make sure it is learning lessons and to make sure that we work towards peace in Yemen, for all the reasons that we have discussed in the Chamber today.
West Bank: Illegal Settlements — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I spoke to the Israeli Prime Minister, Mr Netanyahu—he is also the Israeli Foreign Minister—on 23 December and raised the subject of illegal settlements. I probably spoke for a large majority of Members when I said that I am a strong and passionate supporter of the state of Israel, but I also believe that the continued expansion of illegal settlements in the west bank is by no means conducive to peace.
West Bank: Illegal Settlements — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): That is clearly a matter for the Israeli Government, but I repeat our position that we believe—this is a long-standing view of the UK Government—that settlements in the west bank are illegal, and that the 20% expansion we have seen in those settlements since 2009 is a threat to the peace process. That was why we resolved as we did. Of course, there has been a certain amount of argument about that and a certain amount of push back from the Israeli Government, but the hon. Lady will find that there is a wide measure of international support for that view, which in no way diminishes this Government’s strong support for a Jewish homeland in Israel.
West Bank: Illegal Settlements — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): Let me repeat my point: John Kerry was completely right to draw attention to the illegal settlements and to the substance of resolution 2334. I remind the House that the UK was closely involved in its drafting, although of course it was an Egyptian-generated resolution. We supported it only because it contained new language pointing out the infamy of terrorism that Israel suffers every day, not least on Sunday, when there was an attack in Jerusalem. I was glad that the resolution identified that aspect of the crisis in the middle east, and John Kerry was absolutely right to point out the rounded nature of the resolution. May I pay tribute to John Kerry, who is shortly to step down as Secretary of State, for his tireless work for peace not just in Israel-Palestine, but across the wider middle east?
West Bank: Illegal Settlements — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I think it is a widespread view in Washington, and across the UN Security Council, that settlements are illegal, which was why the resolution went through as it did, without any opposition. To answer the right hon. Gentleman’s question directly, I think it is too early to say exactly what the Administration will decide on this matter, but he can rest assured that the British Government will continue to make the points that we have, not because we are hostile to Israel—on the contrary—but because we wish to support the state of Israel.
West Bank: Illegal Settlements — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Hugo Swire (Conservative, Centre-right): Let me try to get this right: the British ambassador is summoned formally in Israel because of the way the UK voted at the UN Security Council; meanwhile, in the UK, an employee of the Israeli embassy is caught on film conspiring with a British civil servant to take down a senior Minister in the Foreign Secretary’s Department, the Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee and other Members of this House; and the Israeli ambassador makes a couple of phone calls and all is forgiven and forgotten. Can the Foreign Secretary enlighten us on the thinking behind all this?
West Bank: Illegal Settlements — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I certainly can enlighten the House, in the sense that, as my right hon. Friend points out, the Israeli ambassador made a very full apology for what had taken place and the diplomat in question no longer seems to be a functionary of the embassy in London. Whatever that person might exactly have been doing here, his cover can be said to have been well and truly blown, and I think we should consider the matter closed.
West Bank: Illegal Settlements — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): The right hon. Gentleman seems, alas, to have been failing to pay attention to the salient point, which is that the Israeli diplomat in question is no longer doing his job in London—whatever his job is, he is no longer doing it in this city. The Israeli ambassador has made a full apology for the matter and I am happy to consider it closed.
West Bank: Illegal Settlements — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Theresa Anne Villiers (Conservative, Centre-right): Will the Secretary of State agree to meet me and colleagues to discuss our grave concerns about resolution 2334, which my constituents believe will make peace in the middle east harder to achieve by imposing a complex set of preconditions that the Palestinians will use to avoid serious engagement in negotiation?
West Bank: Illegal Settlements — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I am very grateful for that question, and I am happy to offer exactly such a consultation with colleagues. I know that the Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, my hon. Friend the Member for Bournemouth East (Mr Ellwood), has already undertaken to do just that.
Diplomatic Relations: UK/Germany — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): First, let me repeat the condolences that we have offered, and that I am sure that many Members will want to join me in offering, to the people of Germany for the terrible attack that they sustained on 19 December. We continue to work with our German counterparts to strengthen security. We have superb relations with Germany, and it is vital, both as we go through the Brexit process and beyond, that we deepen and intensify that friendship.
Diplomatic Relations: UK/Germany — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: Foreign Trade
William Peter Wragg (Conservative, Centre-right): I associate myself with my right hon. Friend’s expression of condolence to the people of Berlin. Given that Germany is a net exporter to the United Kingdom and would not want its economy to be affected through the imposition of tariffs, what extra work is being done to build diplomatic relations for the benefit of future reciprocal free trade between our two countries?
Diplomatic Relations: UK/Germany — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: Foreign Trade
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I am grateful for that question because, as my hon. Friend will know very well, a big operation is now going on. UK Trade & Investment and British diplomacy are pointing out the salient facts that German investment in this country is responsible for around 344,000 jobs here in the UK, and UK investment in Germany is responsible for 222,000 jobs. It would be the height of insanity to imperil either of those sets of investments.
Gulf Co-operation Council — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: What recent assessment he has made of the strength of diplomatic and economic relations between countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council and the UK.
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): Thanks to our historical connections and our shared economic and other interests, which include foreign policy, defence, security, trade and culture, we have exceptionally strong relationships with the Gulf Co-operation Council nations. That was reflected in the warm reception that the Prime Minister received when she attended the GCC summit in November and established a new UK-GCC strategic partnership.
Gulf Co-operation Council — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: Foreign Trade
Questions: What recent assessment he has made of the strength of diplomatic and economic relations between countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council and the UK.
Johanna Peta Churchill (Conservative, Centre-right): So does the Minister agree that Britain has a unique competitive advantage in securing a free trade agreement with the GCC due to those desired sectors and our long-standing friendship, as well as the GCC’s desire for economic diversification?
Gulf Co-operation Council — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: Foreign Trade
Questions: What recent assessment he has made of the strength of diplomatic and economic relations between countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council and the UK.
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): My hon. Friend is absolutely right. One reason why the Chancellor was visiting the region only a couple of weeks ago was to enforce those exact points. I am sure that once the Brexit discussions have moved forward, one of the first areas with which we will consolidate a trade agreement will be the GCC nations.
Gulf Co-operation Council — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: What recent assessment he has made of the strength of diplomatic and economic relations between countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council and the UK.
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): Let me expand that out further to our relationship with the GCC nations. As I said earlier, those countries are advancing, but they are still very new. Saudi Arabia became an independent country in modern terms only in 1932. It is because of our close relationship with those countries in a wide variety of sectors and the trust that we have in them that we are encouraging them to advance in their governance systems.
Gulf Co-operation Council — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: What recent assessment he has made of the strength of diplomatic and economic relations between countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council and the UK.
Alistair James Hendrie Burt (Conservative, Centre-right): The diplomatic stature of the GCC has risen significantly in recent years, not least because of the wise guidance of the GCC Secretary-General, Abdullatif al-Zayani, who is a friend of the Minister and of mine. In view of the impasse in the middle east peace process and the GCC’s relationship with the Arab states and Israel, does he believe that the time is now right for the GCC and the Arab states to take some initiative to move the middle east peace process forward?
Gulf Co-operation Council — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: What recent assessment he has made of the strength of diplomatic and economic relations between countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council and the UK.
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): I know that that is close to my right hon. Friend’s heart, and that he worked very hard on it when he was Minister for the middle east. He is absolutely right that, as the GCC grows in its prowess, strength and authority, it has an important role to play in what is arguably one of the longest-running concerns, which started with the occupation of the occupied territories more than 50 years ago. In the year that we mark the Balfour declaration, I hope that we will also make progress in this area.
Gulf Co-operation Council — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: What recent assessment he has made of the strength of diplomatic and economic relations between countries of the Gulf Co-operation Council and the UK.
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): I agree that it is one of the biggest challenges for the GCC. We forget that this is its neighbourhood—its backyard. Those countries want regional security in the same way that we do—we want it near where we live, work and want to raise families. Exactly the same applies to the GCC nations, and it is something that I will explore more in the debate on Thursday.
Exiting the EU: Diplomatic Relations — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): We have regular consultations about the future shape of our diplomatic relations with the rest of the EU. The hon. Lady should understand that we may be leaving the EU treaties, but we are not leaving Europe. There will be plenty of ways in which we will continue to collaborate on all the issues that are vital to us, whether in the EU or out.
Exiting the EU: Diplomatic Relations — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I hope that the hon. Lady will forgive me if I say that that would come under the category of our giving a running commentary on our negotiating position. We cannot do that—[Interruption.] The hon. Member for Islington South and Finsbury (Emily Thornberry) says that Brexit means Brexit, and she is perfectly right.
Exiting the EU: Diplomatic Relations — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: Foreign Trade
Julian William Hendy Brazier (Conservative, Centre-right): Thank you very much, Mr Speaker. Given the trade ties that my right hon. Friend has already mentioned and the fact that we are Europe’s largest defence contributor, does he agree that we should not have to make deals on immigration and free movement to secure a good trade agreement with our allies and friends in Europe?
Exiting the EU: Diplomatic Relations — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): If the hon. Gentleman consults the speeches of the Prime Minister more closely, he will discover a wealth of information about our negotiating position, but since he has not bothered to do that, I do not propose to enlighten him now, except to say that Sir Ivan Rogers did an excellent job and always gave me very good advice. I think his reasons for stepping down early were persuasive. Sir Tim Barrow, as anybody who has worked with him will know—I think that people on both sides of the House will have done so—is an outstanding public servant with long-standing experience of UK representation in Brussels, and he will do a superb job in the forthcoming talks.
Exiting the EU: Diplomatic Relations — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Richard Benyon (Conservative, Centre-right): I am sure my right hon. Friend will agree that not only are diplomatic relations important, but relationships between Members of this House and European partners have been important. Membership of the Council of Europe, of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and of all-party groups has never been more important, so can he give an assurance that his Department will assist in every way in making sure that bilateral relationships that exist between Members of this House and Europe will be encouraged?
Exiting the EU: Diplomatic Relations — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: Foreign Trade
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I have given my views about Sir Ivan, but I am happy to repeat them: I think he is, as the hon. Gentleman said, an outstanding public servant, and he always gave me very frank advice. It is vital for officials to continue to give their round, unvarnished views of matters such as the ease of negotiating free trade deals. It is not necessarily going to be simple, but there is no reason to think it cannot be done speedily, and no reason to think we cannot have fantastic free trade deals, not least with the United States of America.
Middle East Peace Talks — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): We are using every forum at our disposal to try to encourage both sides to get to the negotiating table. It is deeply frustrating. I join hon. Members on both sides of the House who have condemned the appalling attack on—the murder of—four Israeli soldiers at the weekend. All I can do is repeat what we have said: the only way forward has to be a two-state solution, and that is why it was important to restate the Government’s position in resolution 2334.
Middle East Peace Talks — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): It is very important to recognise that Iran is a malign influence across the region, and we must be very vigilant about what it is doing. On the other hand, we have to engage with Iran. I think the JCPOA—joint comprehensive plan of action—does represent, still, a substantial and valid way forward, and it would be regrettable if we were to junk that process now.
Middle East Peace Talks — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: In looking at the steps to promote peace talks, what effect does the Foreign Secretary think the current level of Palestinian violence is going to have on that process?
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): As my hon. Friend will know, the level of violence, as we have discussed, has been down by comparison with 2015, but it is still too high. I think it was important, therefore, that the resolution, which has been so much discussed this morning, had that balance in it and that language in it pointing out the threat that Israel faces. It is important that we stress that, and that we encourage the Palestinians to understand that there can be no hope of peace unless they get their extremists under control.
Middle East Peace Talks — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Questions: In looking at the steps to promote peace talks, what effect does the Foreign Secretary think the current level of Palestinian violence is going to have on that process?
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I can certainly assure the right hon. Gentleman that the UK Government will be attending the Paris talks and we will be reinforcing our message, which is that we think that both sides must get round the table and negotiate. That is the only way forward. It would be folly now to abandon a two-state solution, because, in the end, a one-state solution is not in the interests of Israel.
Middle East (Persecution of Christians) — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): May I briefly say that I very much welcome the work that is done by organisations such as Open Doors, and the work that my hon. Friend has done to promote them? I look forward to reading the report, which I think is due out tomorrow. Open Doors makes a major contribution to that work and the Government’s thinking to try to support Christians and other religious communities in the middle east and north Africa.
Middle East (Persecution of Christians) — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Tobias Martin Ellwood (Conservative, Centre-right): I have said in this House that I personally believe that acts of genocide have taken place, but it is not my view that counts; it is whether we can legally prove that. As we have debated here before, it is important that we collect the evidence. I am sure that the House will be delighted to know—it has been confirmed already— that the Foreign Secretary joined other countries, including Iraq, at the United Nations General Assembly to launch the work to be done to collect the evidence to make sure that we can hold those who have conducted these horrific activities to account.
Anglo-American Discussions — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I have come back this morning from the United States, where I have been discussing these matters with the incoming Administration. It was clear that there is a wide measure of agreement between us over the challenges we face. I assure the House that our embassy in Washington and the Prime Minister’s office—No. 10—and officials at all levels are engaging with the incoming team to make sure that we work in lock step to build on those areas of agreement.
Anglo-American Discussions — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: Foreign Trade
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): I have to say to the House that there was a huge fund of goodwill for the United Kingdom on Capitol Hill, and a very large measure of understanding that now is the time to do a free trade deal. They want to do it, and they want to do it fast. That understanding was most vivid and most urgent on the part of the incoming Administration.
Topical Questions — House of Commons, 2017-01-10
Topic: International Affairs
Alexander Boris de Pfeffel Johnson (Conservative, Centre-right): My priorities for 2017 are to renew our efforts to address the crisis in the middle east; to work towards securing the best deal for Britain in the negotiations with our European partners that will be begun by the triggering of article 50; and to build an even stronger working relationship with the US Administration. As I have said, I have just returned from furthering that ambition in the US. As this is the last FCO questions before the end of the Obama Administration, let me repeat formally my thanks to John Kerry for his tireless dedication.