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Category: Foreign Affairs

  • Amanda Milling – 2022 Statement on the 34th Anniversary of the Anfal campaign

    Amanda Milling – 2022 Statement on the 34th Anniversary of the Anfal campaign

    The statement made by Amanda Milling, the Minister for Asia and the Middle East, on 14 April 2022.

    Today marks the 34th Anniversary of the Anfal campaign – Saddam Hussein’s brutal campaign against the Kurdish people in Iraq. Tens of thousands of Iraqi Kurds were slaughtered and thousands more injured, maimed and expelled from their homes. The use of chemical weapons in such a coordinated and planned manner by a state against its own people is horrific beyond comprehension.

    My thoughts are with those who died, those who are mourning the loss of loved ones, and those that continue to suffer from the tragic events of 1988. We mark this occasion to honour the memories of those who died and to ensure we never forget Saddam Hussein’s monstrous crimes against the Kurdish people.

    The UK remains committed in its support for the peace and prosperity of the people of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

  • Priti Patel – 2022 Comments on Sending Asylum Seekers to Rwanda

    Priti Patel – 2022 Comments on Sending Asylum Seekers to Rwanda

    The comments made by Priti Patel, the Home Secretary, on 14 April 2022.

    The global migration crisis and how we tackle illegal migration requires new world-leading solutions. There are an estimated 80 million people displaced in the world and the global approach to asylum and migration is broken.

    Existing approaches have failed and there is no single solution to tackle these problems. Change is needed because people are dying attempting to come to the UK illegally.

    Today we have signed a world-leading Migration Partnership with Rwanda which can see those arriving dangerously, illegally or unnecessarily into the UK relocated to have their claims for asylum considered and, if recognised as refugees, to build their lives there. This will help break the people smugglers’ business model and prevent loss of life, while ensuring protection for the genuinely vulnerable.

    This government is delivering the first comprehensive overhaul of the asylum system in decades. At the heart of this approach is fairness. Access to the UK’s asylum system must be based on need, not on the ability to pay people smugglers. The demands on the current system, the cost to the taxpayer, and the flagrant abuses are increasing. The British public have rightly had enough.

    That is why we are overhauling this broken system. Our New Plan for Immigration will improve support for those directly fleeing oppression, persecution and tyranny through safe and legal routes, deter illegal entry, and make it easier to remove those with no right to be in the UK.

  • Liz Truss – 2022 Comments on 178 New Sanctions

    Liz Truss – 2022 Comments on 178 New Sanctions

    The comments made by Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, on 13 April 2022.

    In the wake of horrific rocket attacks on civilians in Eastern Ukraine, we are today sanctioning those who prop up the illegal breakaway regions and are complicit in atrocities against the Ukrainian people. We will continue to target all those who aid and abet Putin’s war.

    From tomorrow, we are banning the import of Russian iron and steel, as well as the export of quantum technologies and advanced materials that Putin sorely needs. We will not rest in our mission to stop Putin’s war machine in its tracks.

  • Vicky Ford – 2022 Statement on UK Relationship with Zambia

    Vicky Ford – 2022 Statement on UK Relationship with Zambia

    The statement made by Vicky Ford, the Minister for Africa, on 11 April 2022.

    Over the past two days, I’ve seen the breadth of the partnership between the UK and Zambia. Amongst many areas, our governments are working together to improve the lives of those in poverty and, increasing the opportunities for both Zambian and UK companies to invest in Zambia’s growing economy.

    Zambia’s long history of supporting peace and democracy continues today. The resounding vote for respect of human rights, fundamental freedoms and the rule of law that millions of Zambians made last year has demonstrated yet again, their country’s position as a beacon of peace and democracy in the region and beyond. I’m committed to our 2 nations, the UK and Zambia, continuing to work together on protecting and promoting our shared values in the international sphere.

    Through the launch of British International Investment here in Zambia, we have sent a strong message of the UK government’s commitment to building a stronger, more diversified Zambian economy. Equally, it has been my pleasure to learn more about the steps being taken by the Zambian government to deliver free education to all, and discuss how the UK continues to actively support better futures for all Zambian children.

  • Liz Truss – 2022 Speech to Conservative Spring Conference

    Liz Truss – 2022 Speech to Conservative Spring Conference

    The speech made by Liz Truss, the Foreign Secretary, in Blackpool on 19 March 2022.

    As we meet here in Blackpool, we face a different world from the one we have known over the past decades.

    Putin’s illegal, unprovoked invasion of Ukraine has shattered the notion that freedom is free.

    It’s shattered our post-Cold War complacency.

    It’s shattered our collective security.

    I am proud that at this moment of peril, the Prime Minister and this Conservative government have stepped up to lead.

    We’ve stepped up by providing lethal aid to Ukraine – the first European nation to do so – supporting with NLAW anti-tank weapons, and now anti-aircraft weapons.

    We’ve stepped up, by leading the global effort on sanctions.

    Hitting banks and oligarchs

    Targeting mansions, yachts, and aircraft

    Cutting Russia out of SWIFT

    And leading the calls for Nord Stream 2 to be cancelled.

    Our sanctions are crippling the Russian economy that funds Putin’s war machine.

    And we’ve stepped up our leadership on humanitarian aid.

    We’re the second largest aid donor – providing everything from generators to blankets to food.

    And British people across the country are offering their homes to support Ukrainian people in need.

    This is exactly what British foreign policy is.

    We stand up to bullies.

    We fight for freedom.

    We galvanise allies around the world.

    As Conservatives we have a deep responsibility to protect our historic liberties and our democracy.

    We have a history of standing up to dictators.

    We’re proud that it was a Conservative government that helped to end the Cold War and bring down the Berlin Wall.

    We signed the Budapest Memorandum in 1994, protecting Ukraine’s sovereignty.

    We cannot stand by and see these precious freedoms eroded and the clock turned back to the horrific oppression of the Soviet era.

    We cannot and will not rest until Ukraine’s sovereignty is restored.

    In our belief in freedom and democracy, we are joined by our friends from Ukraine.

    We have been inspired by the incredible leadership of President Zelensky and the bravery of the Ukrainian people.

    I am delighted we are joined today by their fantastic Ambassador Prystaiko.

    Your country and your President have the admiration and respect of everyone here in Britain.

    Our two nations understand how precious freedom is, and what it means to fight for it.

    Our friends in Ukraine see and understand the strength of our support.

    I hear some people in Ukraine sing God Save The Queen as they use British equipment – well – everyone in the UK is saying Slava Ukraini.

    Our foreign policy is about standing up for freedom and democracy and Britain’s national interest.

    That’s why we’ve worked so hard to secure the release of our citizens, Nazanin and Anoosheh from Iran.

    I was delighted to welcome them back home to Britain in the early hours of Thursday morning.

    And it’s also why we are determined to fix the Northern Ireland Protocol, and restore the balance of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement.

    We need more flexibility from the EU.

    We are prepared to do what it takes to protect the United Kingdom and ensure that all communities in Northern Ireland are treated fairly.

    Now is the time to value what we have here.

    This crisis has shown the strength of the free world.

    It has shown the strength of democratic, free societies acting decisively in unison.

    They are more powerful and determined.

    Contrast the motivated Ukrainian freedom fighters with Putin’s demoralised, misled soldiers.

    Contrast the decisive, crippling sanctions imposed by the G7 – from the UK to Japan to the EU to the US – with the weak Russian economy and the scant support they are getting internationally.

    Contrast the spontaneous outburst of solidarity with Ukraine spreading across the world, with the tired lies emanating from Putin’s propaganda machine.

    When we are free to speak out.

    When we can choose our own government.

    When we can control our own money.

    It makes our nations stronger.

    When people are free to choose – they choose freedom.

    This strength is being shown right across the world, from South Korea to Canada to Germany.

    This is what Conservatives stand for.

    This is what is important.

    This is what matters.

    We should be proud of our country, and our long standing commitment to freedom and democracy.

    Now is the time to end the culture of self-doubt.

    The constant self-questioning and introspection.

    The ludicrous debates about language, statues and pronouns.

    Our history – warts and all – makes us what we are today.

    We live in a great country, a great democracy and we should be proud of it.

    When we’re facing a tyrant like Vladimir Putin, the only thing he understands is strength.

    We need to defend our societies and never let down our guard again.

    Our new trade and security deals are with our allies, not our opponents.

    This is why AUKUS is so important – helping our Australian friends acquire the nuclear submarines to defend their territory.

    This is why NATO is so important – and we are strengthening it for a new era.

    The UK is the biggest European contributor to NATO.

    We are increasing the numbers of UK troops in Estonia and Poland.

    The United Kingdom needs to be strong economically as well as militarily.

    We’re going to drive economic growth by delivering supply-side reform.

    We’re using our Brexit freedoms to strike new trade deals, slash red tape and create new freeports.

    We’re ending our dependency on authoritarian regimes.

    The West focused on cheap goods at the expense of freedom and security.

    Never again.

    We’re banning Russian oil from our markets, we’ve ripped Huawei out of our phone networks and we have new vigilance on our critical supply chains.

    We are seeing the most horrible scenes in Ukraine.

    A war in Europe for the first time in decades.

    We are seeing incredible bravery from the Ukrainians – and deeds of valour that will be written about for generations to come.

    Britain has stepped up – now we must do even more.

    Putin must lose in Ukraine. With Britain at the forefront, we will ensure he does.

  • Ronald Reagan – 1988 Comments on Arrival of Margaret Thatcher in Washington

    Ronald Reagan – 1988 Comments on Arrival of Margaret Thatcher in Washington

    The comments made by Ronald Reagan, the then President of the United States, at the White House in Washington DC on 16 November 1988.

    Prime Minister Thatcher, here is a story from our Old West. It’s said that a cowboy went out riding one day and suddenly stumbled into the Grand Canyon. And he’s supposed to have said, “Wow, something sure has happened here!” [Laughter] Well, Prime Minister Thatcher, when we contemplate the world as it is today and how it was when we first met here 8 years ago, we too have a right to say: Something sure has happened.

    When we first met on these grounds in 1981, economic crisis beset both our countries: Inflation and unemployment were reaching dangerously disruptive levels. The aggressive designs of squalid dictators, large and small, were seen everywhere. Totalitarian expansion was underway on four continents. Terrorism was growing. And in the face of the most massive arms buildup in human history, our own defenses had fallen into disrepair and decline. A new nuclear missile was aimed at Europe and Asia. There was talk of unilateral cutbacks and American withdrawals and nuclear freezes and questions about the alliance. Our alliance, the great alliance built with such difficulty and daring since the last world war, was in grave danger. All of these problems spoke to an even deeper crisis: a crisis of faith, a crisis of will among the democracies. Here in our own nation, there were those who questioned whether our democratic institutions could survive, whether the modern world had made them obsolete.

    Well, now it’s changed. Now the excitement and vigor and energy in the world is with the cause of freedom. As the United States and Great Britain and other free nations have prospered, we have seen an almost Newtonian revolution in the science of economics. We are learning that the way to prosperity is not more bureaucracy and redistribution of wealth but less government and more freedom for the entrepreneur and for the creativity of the individual.

    Change, extraordinary change has come upon the world. And that’s why at this moment, Prime Minister Thatcher, we’re especially glad to be welcoming you here to our shores and to have this opportunity to acknowledge the special role that you and the people of Great Britain have made in achieving this remarkable change.

    It was my privilege, last June, shortly after my return from Moscow, to note in a speech at Guildhall your extraordinary role in the revitalization of freedom. Today, in welcoming you to these shores, I and the American people again restate our gratitude. In the critical hour, Margaret Thatcher and the people of Great Britain stood fast in freedom’s defense and upheld all the noblest of your island nation’s traditions; yours was the part of courage and resolve and vision.

    Bismarck reflected once that the supreme fact of the 19th century was that Great Britain and the United States shared the same language. And surely future historians will note that a supreme fact of this century was that Great Britain and the United States shared the same cause: the cause of human freedom. And together we’ve come a long way in striving for that cause. Even in the terrible disappointment following the last world war, when we realized all we had striven for in that great conflict — world peace and freedom — would once again elude us and that we would have to begin again and stand together again in facing the menace of war and totalitarian tyranny, even then we did not lose heart.

    And stand together we have. When first you were here, Prime Minister Thatcher, we referred to a “decade fraught with danger.” We can hope today that in meeting those dangers we have transformed this decade into a turning point, a turning point for our age and for all time.

    In continuing this work, it is profoundly reassuring to me and to all who care about freedom that you will continue to share with America your vision and your steady hand. And this is especially critical to us at this moment of transition in our government.

    So, whatever the future may hold, today the American people express to you our thanks, our affection, and our determination to stand with you until freedom has triumphed. Sir Winston put it very well when he said: “The day may dawn when fairplay, love for one’s fellow men, respect for justice and freedom will enable tormented generations to march forth serene and triumphant. Meanwhile, never flinch, never weary, never despair.”

    PRIME MINISTER:

    Mr. President, may I thank you most warmly for those kind words of welcome and for this marvelous ceremony, which I shall never forget. It is a great honor to be your last official guest after 8 historic years of your Presidency, one of the greatest in America’s history. It’s an opportunity to affirm anew the deep friendships not only between ourselves but between the British and American peoples, an opportunity to salute all that you have accomplished over these 8 years on behalf of this great nation and of free people everywhere, and an opportunity to look ahead to the bright promise of the future.

    Mr. President, when you welcomed me to the White House on my first official visit to Washington under your Presidency, you forecast two things: first, that the decade would be less dangerous if the West maintained the strength required for peace, and second, that Britain and America would stand side by side in that endeavor. Both promises have been honored, and honored handsomely. We thank you for being such a staunch and loyal ally and friend to our country. Together our nations have faced the challenges of our time and have not flinched. We forged ahead with strengthening the peace, spreading prosperity, and safeguarding liberty. Your conviction, Mr. President, that the only sure peace is one founded on a strong defense has enabled us to take a first historic step in the reduction of nuclear arms.

    You, sir, have presided over a period of economic expansion unparalleled in peacetime in recent American history. But, above all, Mr. President, you have restored faith in the American dream, a dream of boundless opportunity built in enterprise, individual effort, and personal generosity. As a result, respect for America stands high in the world today.

    And thanks to your courage and your leadership, the fire of individual freedom burns more brightly not just in America, not just in the West, but right across the world. We in Britain, Mr. President, have been proud to be your partners in that great adventure. We counted it a privilege to join you in enlarging freedom and furthering the democratic way of life.

    Two hundred years ago, Tom Paine told the founders of this great nation: “We have it in our power to begin the world over again.” Mr. President, the office which you hold is the greatest in the world. But it is the man who holds that office, you, sir, who has enabled us to begin the world over again. We salute and thank you for it.

  • Boris Johnson – 2022 Comments Made on Visit to Kyiv

    Boris Johnson – 2022 Comments Made on Visit to Kyiv

    The comments made by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, on 9 April 2022.

    It is a privilege to be able to travel to Ukraine and meet President Zelenskyy in person in Kyiv today.

    Ukraine has defied the odds and pushed back Russian forces from the gates of Kyiv, achieving the greatest feat of arms of the 21st century.

    It is because of President Zelenskyy’s resolute leadership and the invincible heroism and courage of the Ukrainian people that Putin’s monstrous aims are being thwarted.

    I made clear today that the United Kingdom stands unwaveringly with them in this ongoing fight, and we are in it for the long run.

    We are stepping up our own military and economic support and convening a global alliance to bring this tragedy to an end, and ensure Ukraine survives and thrives as a free and sovereign nation.

  • Boris Johnson – 2022 Speech in Kyiv to Visit President Zelenskyy

    Boris Johnson – 2022 Speech in Kyiv to Visit President Zelenskyy

    The speech made by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, in Kyiv on 9 April 2022.

    Thank you very much Volodymyr. Thank you for having me today at this incredibly difficult time for you and your country. I want to begin by once again saluting the bravery of the people of Ukraine in defying the appalling aggression that we have seen. In the last few weeks the world has found new heroes, and those heroes are the people of Ukraine.

    When I was here just a few weeks ago and we were in another room I think in your palace, the defence intelligence we had suggested Russia thought Ukraine could be engulfed in a matter of days and that Kyiv would fall in hours to their armies. And how wrong they were. I think that the Ukrainians have shown the courage of a lion, and you Volodymyr have given the roar of that lion.

    I thank you for what you have been able to do, your leadership has been extraordinary. I think what Putin has done in places like Bucha and Irpin, his war crimes have permanently polluted his reputation and the reputation of his government.

    It’s clear – and we discussed this at length – it’s clear that he has suffered a defeat but his retreat is tactical and he is going to intensify the pressure now in Donbas and in the east.

    That’s why it’s so vital as you rightly say Volodymyr that we, your friends, continue to offer whatever support we can. Together with our partners, we are going to ratchet up the economic pressure and we continue to intensify week by week the sanctions on Russia. Not just freezing assets in banks and sanctioning oligarchs, but moving away from use of Russian hydrocarbons.

    We will give you the support that you need, the economic support but also of course the defensive military support in which I’m proud to say the UK helped to lead the way. Just the other day we raised I think £1.5bn at a donor conference from friends, partners around the world, dozens and dozens of countries that now want to support Ukraine.

    We want to liberalise trade with Ukraine as we go forward to help your economic circumstances, barley and other commodities – there are things we should be doing. We want to help with demining your country, getting rid of the savage traps that the Russian army has left behind.

    To come to your central point Volodymyr, I think we are evolving a vision now for the future. Heraclitus said war is the father of all things – that was an exaggeration, war isn’t the father of everything – but what this war is certainly producing is a clarity about the vision of a future for Ukraine.

    Where together with friends and partners, we – the UK and others – supply the equipment, the technology, the know-how, the intelligence, so that Ukraine will never be invaded again. So Ukraine is so fortified and protected that Ukraine can never be bullied again. Never be blackmailed again. Never be threatened in the same way again.

    In the meantime, there is a huge amount to do to make sure that Ukraine is successful, that Ukraine wins, and that Putin must fail.

    Over the last few hours I’ve been able to see quite a lot of your beautiful country, and it’s an amazing country. I’ve also seen the tragic effects of the war. An inexcusable war, an absolutely inexcusable and unnecessary war.

    But having been here in Kyiv for just a few hours, I have no doubt Volodymyr, listening to too listening to your team, your redoubtable team, I have no doubt at all that an independent sovereign Ukraine will rise again thanks above all to the heroism, the courage of the people of Ukraine. Thank you very much and slava Ukraini [glory to Ukraine].

  • Boris Johnson – 2022 Comments at Press Conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

    Boris Johnson – 2022 Comments at Press Conference with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz

    The comments made by Boris Johnson, the Prime Minister, at Downing Street in London on 8 April 2022.

    Good afternoon. It’s a pleasure to welcome you Olaf to Downing Street.

    The friendship between our two countries has become even more vital since Putin launched his barbaric onslaught against Ukraine, bringing war to our continent.

    I know that Britain and Germany share exactly the same sense of horror and revulsion at the brutality being unleashed, including the unconscionable bombing of refugees fleeing their homes this morning.

    The attack at the train station in eastern Ukraine shows the depths to which Putin’s vaunted army has sunk – at least 39 people killed and dozens wounded on a train platform crowded with women and children.

    Is it a war crime indiscriminately to attack civilians, and Russia’s crimes in Ukraine will not go unnoticed or unpunished.

    Germany and the UK also share exactly the same conviction that Putin must fail in Ukraine.

    Which is why we are working together in the G7 to toughen our sanctions, and target every pillar of the Russian economy, in order to cut off the funds from his war machine.

    The UK and the EU have announced new sanctions this week, and just today we in the UK have imposed new asset freezes and travel bans.

    We will also agree on the importance of weaning ourselves off dependence on Russian gas and oil, and ensuring that our energy security cannot be threatened by a rogue state.

    This is not easy for any of us, and I applaud the seismic decisions taken by Olaf’s government to move Germany away from Russian hydrocarbons.

    Today we have agreed to maximise the potential of the North Sea and collaborate on energy security and on renewables, where Germany and the UK lead the way in new technology.

    We cannot transform our respective energy systems overnight, but we also know that Putin’s war will not end overnight.

    That’s why Britain and Germany have joined dozens of allies to supply Ukraine with defensive weapons. Last week, the UK convened a donor conference which raised weapons and equipment for Ukraine worth over £1.5 billion – or 2.5 million items of military kit.

    Today I can announce that the UK will send a further £100 million worth of high-grade military equipment to Ukraine’s armed forces, including more Starstreak anti-aircraft missiles, which fly at three times the speed of sound, another 800 anti-tank missiles, and precision munitions, capable of lingering in the sky until directed to their target.

    We will also send more helmets, night vision and body armour, on top of the 200,000 pieces of non-lethal military equipment the UK has already dispatched.

    But Olaf and I agree that our two countries and our allies must go further and provide more help to Ukraine. The Europe we knew just six weeks ago no longer exists: Putin’s invasion strikes at the very foundations of the security of our continent.

    But his ambition to divide us has demonstrably failed; on the contrary, he has succeeded in uniting Europe and the whole trans-Atlantic alliance in support of Ukraine, and in strong solidarity with each other.

    Putin has steeled our resolve, sharpened our focus, and he has forced Europe to begin to rearm to guarantee our shared security.

    Britain and Germany will work together to ensure that our Armed Forces are fit for the future, including with our joint effort to manufacture state-of-the-art Boxer armoured vehicles.

    We will hold a joint Cabinet meeting between our two Governments within the next year, our defence ministers will meet before the NATO summit in June, and I look forward to joining you Olaf at Schloss Elmau for the next G7 summit.

    We face the new reality created by Putin’s invasion, I know that Britain and Germany will meet this challenge together, as passionate advocates of democracy and freedom, and both committed friends of Ukraine.

    Thank you.

  • Ben Wallace – 2022 Comments on Two Additional Typhoon Aircraft Being Sent to Romania

    Ben Wallace – 2022 Comments on Two Additional Typhoon Aircraft Being Sent to Romania

    The comments made by Ben Wallace, the Secretary of State for Defence, on 8 April 2022.

    The UK and Romania are steadfast in the defence of our shared values and commitment to NATO’s collective security, in the air, at sea, and on land.

    Together we are supporting Ukraine in its defence against Putin’s illegal invasion and I pay tribute to Romania’s generosity providing shelter for the tens of thousands of innocent civilians fleeing this horrific conflict.