RUSSIA
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the risk of expropriation of UK assets in Russia; and if he will make a statement. [193363]
Mr Lidington, Minister of State for Europe: We have carefully considered these risks, along with other economic and political risks to the UK as a result of the Ukraine crisis. We continue to follow developments closely and discuss with stakeholders as necessary. We believe that any attempt to expropriate or undermine UK or other international investments in Russia would send a stark warning to foreign investors and cause considerable damage to the Russian economy, which is already under significant pressure. But we don't wish to see the Russian economy veer toward collapse. This is why we continue to argue that the correct course of action is for Russia and Ukraine to talk directly and find a diplomatic solution. The choice remains for President Putin: take the path of de-escalation or face increasing isolation, tighter sanctions and long-term damage to the Russian economy.
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the risk of a Russian invasion of the Transnistria region of Moldova; and if he will make a statement. [193364]
Mr Lidington, Minister of State for Europe: We continue to monitor events in the Transnistria region of the Republic of Moldova closely. President Putin's decision to absorb Crimea into the Russian Federation has worrying implications for the region, including the Republic of Moldova. I welcome the visit by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Moldova led by Lord Dubs as an opportunity to hear first hand from key interlocutors. The European Council on Monday 24 March reaffirmed its intention to strengthen further political association and economic integration with the Republic of Moldova, The European Council aims to sign the Association Agreements, including the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Areas, initialled in Vilnius last November, no later than June 2014.
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will take steps to extend the requirement to apply sanctions set out in Council Regulation (EU) 269/2014 to all British Overseas Territory governments. [193365]
Mr Lidington, Minister of State for Europe: A draft Order in Council concerning the application of the sanctions set out in Council Regulation (EU) 269/2014 will be submitted to the next meeting of the Privy Council.
An Order in Council concerning the application of the sanctions set out in Council Regulation 208/2014 was made on 5 March 2014 and came into force on 7 March 2014.
These Orders in Council do not extend to Bermuda or Gibraltar. Bermuda enacts local legislation to apply the provisions set out in EU Council Regulations imposing sanctions. Such Council Regulations apply directly in Gibraltar.
Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will seek an estimate from all British Overseas Territory governments of the value of Russian (a) financial and (b) non-financial assets held in their territories. [193366]
Mr Lidington, Minister of State for Europe: The British Government does not request information on the value of particular assets held in the Overseas Territories on a routine basis.
However, the Government does consult closely with the Territories on the implementation of sanctions within their jurisdictions.
The Overseas Territories are committed to work with the UK to promote the application of high international standards and will play their full part in implementing sanctions and asset freezing measures.