Hansard

Russian Federation: Council Of Europe Membership

Volume 569: debated on Monday 12 February 1996

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Lord Lester of Herne Hill

asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will take steps to ensure that the Russian Federation is invited by the Committee of Ministers to become a member of the Council of Europe only upon the basis of the commitments and understandings referred to in the Parliamentary Assembly's Opinion No. 193 (1996).

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
(Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)

We take full note of the commitments and understandings referred to in the Parliamentary Assembly's Opinion. We shall expect the Russian Federation to respect the conditions in the Opinion and for it to meet its obligations upon becoming a member. We shall for our part work with it to help it achieve its goals in a spirit of constructive dialogue and co-operation. But acceptance of the Assembly's recommendation to invite Russia to become a member should not be construed as an endorsement of each of the specific points contained in this Opinion.