To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans there are for the UK to be associated with 26 November 2007 US/Iraq Declaration of Principles for a Long-Term Relationship of Cooperation and Friendship; whether discussions have been held with US and Iraqi counterparts on this matter; and if he will make a statement. (174794)

We are in close contact with the US and Iraq as they formulate their views on the detail and structure of their long-term relationship following the US/Iraqi declaration of principles. As my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister said in his statement to the House on 8 October 2007, Official Report, column 23, a decision on the next phase of our military presence will be taken in Spring 2008. We will ensure that future civilian assistance, and any future military assistance, to Iraq is based on a sound legal and political footing.