To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what representations the Government have made to (a) Russia and (b) Estonia on the recent confrontation over the movement of a war memorial; and if she will make a statement. (138144)

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not made any recent representations to either the Russian or Estonian governments on the dispute over the relocation of the “Bronze Soldier” war memorial. The Estonian Foreign Minister briefed my right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary and other EU Foreign Ministers on relations with Russia at the EU General Affairs and External Relations Council on 14 May. The Government fully support the EU Presidency and NATO statements, which expressed grave concern over the safety of the Estonian embassy and its staff in Russia, and urged Russia to fulfil its international obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations. We see this as an internal matter for Estonia and we recognise the right of the Estonian government to relocate memorials and war graves. We note this has been done with due sensitivity and respect.