RUSSIA: FOREIGN POLICY
15th October 2015
Sir Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what the aims and objectives are of the Government's policy towards Russia.
Mr David Lidington, Minister of State for Europe: The Government’s objectives in respect of Russia are to protect UK interests and those of our allies and partners; to engage with Russia on global security issues and in key areas of shared interest; to promote our values, including the rule of law and human rights; and to build stronger links between the British and Russian people more widely.
This means that we are focused on: keeping the pressure on Russia to adhere to its international obligations; supporting Ukraine and the implementation of the Minsk agreements; persuading Russia to concentrate efforts on tackling ISIL and finding a political solution in Syria; promoting UK prosperity via trade links within the constraints of sanctions; and encouraging cooperation in education, culture and science, e.g. through the British Council-led Year of English Language and Literature in Russia in 2016.
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