To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what contact he has had with his counterparts in (a) Chad, (b) the Central African Republic and (c) Sudan on the EU mission to Chad and the Central African Republic; and if he will make a statement. (162517)

Our high commissioner in Yaounde met with Chadian Foreign Minister, Ahmat Allami, during his visit to Chad in July 2007 and raised the planned deployment of a European Security Defence Policy (ESDP) force and a UN multi-dimensional mission to Chad and the Central African Republic (CAR). During subsequent visits by UK officials to Chad in September, October and November, the deployment of the ESDP force and UN mission have been further discussed with Chadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs representatives.

UK officials also met the President, Prime Minister and other CAR government representatives in September and October 2007 and took the opportunity to discuss their views on the proposed deployment.

The UK supports the deployment of the ESDP force to Chad and CAR to contribute to protecting refugees and displaced persons, facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid and contribute to protecting the UN operation. We continue to urge the Governments of Sudan, Chad and CAR to work to promote regional stability and ensure security along their common borders.