RUSSIA'S INTERNATIONAL COMMITMENTS

That this House deplores the Russian government's continued actions against the British Council; endorses the Foreign Secretary's view that the Russian Government's efforts to close down the British Council's offices outside Moscow constitute a violation of Russia's obligations under the Vienna Conventions; believes that these actions reflect a growing tendency on the part of the Russian government to disregard international law and resort to coercive diplomacy in its dealings with other states; notes that the Russian government is also currently in breach of its legally binding obligations as a signatory of the Energy Charter Treaty and as a member of the Council of Europe and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, most recently by blocking the latter's election monitoring work during the Russian parliamentary elections; believes that Russia's violations of international law have become serious and persistent enough to require a firm and concerted response from the UK and its allies; further notes that Russia is planning to join the World Trade Organisation and the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and is scheduled to conclude a new co-operation agreement with the European Union; and urges the UK Government to work with other countries to make it clear that these privileges will only be extended if Russia is willing to behave responsibly and honour the international commitments it has already accepted.