(2) what financial and other assistance was provided to the Government of Colombia in each year since 2002 to tackle the illegal narcotics industry; and if he will make a statement;
(3) what discussions he and his officials have had with the Governments of (a) France, (b) Spain, (c) Switzerland and (d) other EU partners on a negotiated peace settlement to Colombia's civil war;
(4) what discussions he has had with the Government of Colombia on the proposed humanitarian exchange of political prisoners in Colombia;
(5) what discussions he has had with the Government of Colombia on the protection of trade unionists in Colombia; and if he will make a statement.
The longstanding conflict in Colombia, fuelled by the illegal drugs trade, has been deeply damaging. Significant progress has been made by President Uribe's Government, and the Government have congratulated him on this. But serious concerns remain, especially on human rights.
My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary is yet to hold discussions with Colombian counterparts since his appointment. But officials from the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) in London and Bogota hold regular discussions with Colombian Government officials, EU partners and civil society on the situation in Colombia.
Such talks have focused recently on the need for a substantive peace settlement with full participation by all actors in the conflict; the unacceptable on-going abuses of trade unionists and human rights defenders; proposed humanitarian exchanges of political prisoners; and the recent murders of 11 hostages held by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC).
My noble Friend the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, Lord Triesman of Tottenham, held discussions with a range of senior Colombian and UK civil society figures on 26 June. Humanitarian exchanges of political prisoners and the situation for trade unionists in Colombia were prominent themes at this meeting. My noble Friend Lord Triesman issued a statement following the meeting, setting out the Government's views on these issues. The full text can be accessed on the FCO's website at:
http://www.fco. gov.uk/servlet/Front?pagename=OpenMarket/Xcelerate/ShowPage&c=Page&cid=1007029391638&a=KArticle&aid=1182951887630.
We have discussed with Colombian Government representatives in London and Bogota the issues raised at the meeting of 26 June. In doing so, we expressed our outrage at the killings of the 11 Colombian hostages held by the FARC, and extended our condolences to all those affected by this tragedy. The EU presidency also strongly condemned the killings and called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by PARC and other illegal groups.
The menace from drugs is real, both in Colombia and in the UK. Cooperation between the UK and Colombia has been very close and highly productive. We do not give details of our support because its disclosure would be to the detriment of the safety of the individuals, the prevention and detection of crime and international relations.