Category: Press Releases

Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 31/10/2019.

Mr Richard Morris has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of Fiji in succession to Ms Melanie Hopkins. Mr Morris will take up his appointment in July 2020.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Full name: Richard Charles Morris

Married to: Alison Jane Morris

Children: Three

2015 to present Kathmandu, Her Majesty’s Ambassador
2013 to 2015 FCO, Head, Pacific Department
2008 to 2013 Sydney, HM Consul General and Director General UKTI Australasia
2005 to 2008 Mexico City, Deputy Head of Mission and HM Consul General
2001 to 2004 FCO, Head, Assistance Group, Consular Directorate
2000 to 2001 FCO, Head, Resource Accounting and Budgeting Team
1996 to 2000 Bridgetown, Second Secretary, Political
1993 to 1996 Ottawa, Third Secretary, Political
1991 to 1992 FCO, Assistant Desk Officer, Cultural Relations Department
1990 to 1991 FCO, Assistant Desk Officer, Non-Proliferation and Defence Department
1990 Joined FCO

Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 31/10/2019.

Mr Aidan Liddle, UK Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament delivers statement during thematic debate on international conventional arms control.

The United Kingdom aligns with the statement made by the European Union. I will now add some remarks in a national capacity.

Madam Chair

The UK welcomes the positive progress we have made in international conventional arms control, which is crucial in tackling threats to life and security as part of the rules based international system.

It is in our collective interest that all relevant instruments function. This can only happen when they are fully funded, implemented effectively and include all relevant stakeholders.

The UK remains strongly committed to the Arms Trade Treaty, and its aim of effectively regulating the international trade in conventional arms and preventing their illicit trade and diversion. It is essential to consolidate the provisions of the Treaty and implement them fully to achieve these objectives. It is also crucial that major exporting and importing states accede to the Treaty. In this regard, we welcome China’s announcement of its intention to begin the accession process. We welcome the outcome of the Fifth Conference of States Parties, and congratulate the outgoing Chair on his work.

Madam Chair

The Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, which is celebrating its twentieth anniversary, has delivered significant humanitarian impact. But we need to do more. November’s Review Conference in Oslo gives us the opportunity to review progress, reaffirm our commitment to our core obligations, and renew our determination to achieve a mine-free world by 2025. The UK continues to make steady progress in meeting our obligation to clear the Falkland Islands.

The UK also remains deeply concerned by reports of the indiscriminate use of cluster munitions. We encourage all States to accede to the Cluster Munitions Convention, and to support draft Resolution L.46 on the CCM.

Madam Chair

The UK considers the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons to be a vital arms control instrument. We welcome the progress made this year by the CCW GGE on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems. We look forward to the formal endorsement of the Guiding Principles affirmed by the GGE at this year’s Meeting of High Contracting Parties, and welcome the continuation of the GGE’s mandate to the 2021 Review Conference.

Madam Chair

The UK has consistently been at the forefront of global efforts to counter the illicit proliferation of small arms and light weapons and their ammunition. This is a transnational problem and we continue to work with individual states, regional organisations, industry and civil society to strengthen cooperation and reduce the supply of illicit weapons.

The UK looks forward to the GGE meetings on the ‘Problems arising from the accumulation of conventional ammunition stockpiles in surplus’ and to supporting the recommendations of the Group.

Thank you Madam Chair.

Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 31/10/2019.

The agreement, formally known as the United Kingdom-Uzbekistan Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), ensures the United Kingdom and Uzbekistan continue to grant each other most-favoured nation (MFN) treatment for trade.

As Uzbekistan is not a member of the World Trade Organization, the legal status secured under the agreement will ensure businesses can continue to trade with confidence.

the signing of this agreement ensures there is no disruption in the relationship between the United Kingdom and Uzbekistan, and provides the foundation for future cooperation in foreign, political and security matters

the agreement maintains existing human rights, democracy and rule of law commitments and delivers certainty for business by securing continued most-favoured nation status for trade

the agreement recognises Uzbekistan’s commitment to an ambitious reform agenda and the accomplishments it has secured in political, economic and legal areas

Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Uzbekistan Tim Torlot signed the agreement with Foreign Minister Abdulaziz Kamilov in Tashkent.

Welcoming the signing of the agreement, Foreign Office Minister for Europe Christopher Pincher said:

I’m pleased that the United Kingdom has today signed its first partnership agreement with a Central Asian country, underlining our close ties with Uzbekistan and securing long-term certainty for British businesses and consumers.

This deal highlights our shared ambitions for a broader and deeper political and security relationship and sets out future opportunities for cooperation in diverse areas such as trade, environmental protection and the protection of human rights.

Background

– the United Kingdom-Uzbekistan PCA replicates the effects of the existing EU PCA provisions as far as possible.

– the agreement provides for widespread cooperation in trade and investment, sustainable development, environmental protection and energy as well as human rights and governance

– this agreement is designed to take effect when the EU-Uzbekistan agreement ceases to apply to the United Kingdom, either following an implementation period or a no-deal Brexit. The agreement will be subject to the domestic parliamentary procedures in both the United Kingdom and Uzbekistan before it is brought into force

Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 31/10/2019.

Statement by David Clay, UK Political Coordinator at the UN, at the Security Council briefing on the situation in Burundi.

Thank you, Madam President.

I would like to begin by thanking Special Envoy Kafando for his two and a half years’ service in Burundi. Like others, the UK would like to pay tribute to the Special Envoy and his office. The office of the Special Envoy plays an integral role in helping to develop confidence-building measures and supporting efforts to create conditions conducive to political dialogue.

I would also like to thank Ambassador Lauber for his detailed briefing.

I would like to welcome the latest report of the Secretary-General, which provides a valuable record of the current situation in Burundi. The United Kingdom would like to underline once again, as we, and others in this Council have before, the importance of regular written reports on the situation in Burundi that can inform our discussions. As we look ahead to elections in May next year in Burundi, the UK calls upon all interested parties in Burundi and in the wider region, to help ensure that those elections are safe, credible and fully reflect the aspirations of the people. Citizens must have faith in their political process in order to accept the results of the election. Well organised and credible elections are therefore vital for that stability of Burundi.

We encourage the EAC to redouble their efforts to push for an effective, inclusive dialogue. A harmonised roadmap that all parties can support, and which preserves the gains of the Arusha Peace and Reconciliation Agreement is crucial. We call on the Government and its constituent parties to continue to engage in dialogue with the region and in doing so to send a clear signal of its continued commitment to resolve the ongoing political crisis. We also urge the Government to finalise the Status-of-Mission Agreement with the Office of the Special Envoy.

We note the overall improvement in the security situation but continuing incidents of violence and violations of human rights, some of which target political opponents, are deeply concerning. The latest report by the UN Commission of Enquiry on Burundi records continuing serious human rights violations committed in a general climate of impunity and an intensifying suppression of civil liberties. This must stop. We are also concerned about the operating climate for the media, particularly regarding the BBC and Voice of America. A free press is essential to Burundi’s stability, during the electoral process and beyond.

Turning to the refugee situation, we believe that Burundian refugees should be able to return home but this must be done on a voluntary basis where their ability to live in safety and dignity on their return is assured. UNHCR and other actors in Burundi must be allowed to monitor the situation of returnees in Burundi, including their access to necessary services and their continued protection.

Madam President, with elections next year taking place amidst this fragile political and humanitarian environment and its implications for the broader security of the Great Lakes region, the UK believes that the situation in Burundi continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security. The United Kingdom firmly believes that this must remain on this Council’s agenda.

Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 31/10/2019.

The Foreign Ministers of Egypt, France, Germany, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the UK, and the US welcome the launch of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva on October 30.

Welcoming the news, they said:

“We greatly appreciate the work of the UN Secretary General and UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen in launching this effort. This is a long-awaited positive step that requires serious engagement and commitment in order to succeed. It can complement implementation of other dimensions of Security Council Resolution 2254, including the meaningful involvement of all Syrians, especially women, in the political process. We support efforts to create a safe and neutral environment that enables Syria to hold free and fair elections, under UN supervision.

We recall our statement in New York on September 26 and continue to call for an immediate and genuine nationwide ceasefire in Idlib. There can be no military solution to the Syria crisis, only a political settlement on the basis on UN Security Council resolution 2254.”

Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 31/10/2019.

Statement by David Clay, UK Political Coordinator at the UN, at the Security Council briefing on the United Nations Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK).

Thank you, Mr President.

I’d like to begin by thanking the Special Representative and his team for his statement and for their continued commitment to Kosovo’s developments, as laid out in the comprehensive reports on the activities of the UN’s mission in Kosovo. And I would also like to thank Deputy Prime Minister Ivica Dacic and Ambassador Vlora Citaku for their intervention this afternoon.

Mr President, we welcome the focus in the report on the government of Kosovo’s commitment to respecting human rights, ensuring equal access for minority communities, improving transparency and strengthening the rule of law. We take note of the progress made in this reporting period, including the reopening of the Special Chamber of the Supreme Court, efforts to standardise judicial practice across Kosovo, progress in the prosecution of war crimes, the return of displaced persons and the identification of missing persons, the adoption of child protection legislation and the the first report on respect for human rights.

There remains, however, more to do. We urge Kosovo to redouble its efforts to address the high level of corruption and organised crime and to work to strengthen its judicial system. We welcome the important work of UNMIK and EULEX to this end. As regards to the fight against crime, we agreed it is legitimate and necessary for the Kosovan police to operate across Kosovo, including in the northern municipalities in accordance with the law.

This council should welcome the arrests of individuals suspected of involvement in smuggling and organised crime, both Kosovo-Albanian and Kosovo-Serb, as was the case during the recent Kosovo police operation. But noting the concern expressed by the Special Representative regarding the arrest of two UNMIK officials during this operation, it is also important that international personnel carrying out their duties should be treated in accordance with international law, just as they must adhere to their mission’s mandates and codes of conduct. I welcome SRSG Tanin’s briefing this afternoon on the outcome of UNMIK’s internal view on this incident. We will consider these findings carefully.

Mr President, we welcome the progress made by the Kosovo Specialist Chambers and the Specialist Prosecutor’s Office over the last few months. We urge Pristina, Belgrade and the members of this council to cooperate fully in the interest of achieving justice for victims. And we call on both Pristina and Belgrade to press ahead with domestic domestic prosecutions for historic crimes. The interests of all victims and their families must be at the centre of judicial proceedings. Efforts to locate missing persons and the provision of support to survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, regardless of their ethnicity.

We particularly welcome the joint declaration of representatives of religious groups in Kosovo in support of survivors of sexual violence. The United Kingdom is committed to supporting victims and preventing sexual violence in all its forms, as shown during Her Royal Highness the Countess of Wessex’s recent visit to Pristina, during which she focused on support for survivors from all communities.

With regard to the Kosovo elections on the 6th of October, we echo the European Union Election Observation Mission’s statement. The elections were calm and well administered and the Central Elections Commission worked with dedication, professionalism and transparency, although we continue to be concerned by reports on the level of pre-election intimidation in some Kosovo Serb areas. We have been following the reports of staff suffering ill health at the National Counting Centre. We await the outcome of the investigation. We must not allow this incident to sow suspicion and distrust.

Mr President, Kosovo has voted for change. We call on the party leaders to work diligently to form a new, stable government to tackle the pressing issues facing the country. The UK expects this new government to uphold and strengthen the rule of law, to improve inclusivity in a multi-ethnic state and to commit itself to strengthening regional security.

Dialogue with Belgrade must be a priority. We call on both Belgrade and Pristina to remove obstacles to its resumption. Pristina must remove tariffs and Belgrade must stop its de-recognition campaign. For dialogue to succeed, both sides must refrain from provocative rhetoric and actions. We welcome Kosovo’s completion of two more common crossing points, but we regret that the implementation of many other aspects of the Brussels agreements remain unaddressed by both parties. The people of Serbia and Kosovo have much to gain from the resumption of talks and a comprehensive, sustainable, implementable deal to their mutual and lasting benefit.

Mr President, the twentieth anniversary of the NATO intervention fell during this reporting period. This was an important moment for reflection. We remember the victims on all sides of this conflict and remind ourselves of the reasons for this intervention. We renew our commitment to building good, neighbourly relations so that peace can be safeguarded for future generations. The Kosovo of today is almost unrecognisable from the Kosovo media reported on across the world in 1999. We thank the members of this council, UNMIK staff, the European Union, NATO, the OSCE, K4, the Kosovo Special Prosecutor’s Office and, most importantly, the government and institutions of Kosovo for their ongoing pursuit of Kosovo’s progress and developments.

In closing, Mr President, the UK pays tribute to the work of the special representative and his team and we look forward to continuing to support them in their endeavors.

Thank you very much.

Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 01/12/2019.

Press release as the UK takes over the presidency of the Security Council from South Africa on the 1 November 2019.

The UK will put ordinary citizens at the heart of its Presidency of the Security Council, as it takes over from South Africa as the President of the United Nations Security Council, today (1 November).

Key issues due to be discussed during the UK’s Presidency will include chemical weapons, Yemen, Syria, Somalia and Libya, and an open debate on reconciliation, which will include a focus on the role of civil society and religious leaders in reconciliation. In line with its focus on the importance of people, the UK will be inviting a number of members of civil society to brief the UN.

H.E. Karen Pierce DCMG, the Permanent Representative and Ambassador for the UK Mission to the United Nations in New York, said:

“During our Presidency, the UK wants to focus on the effect of problems in international peace and security on ordinary citizens. The issues before the Security Council include the targeting of hospitals, the use of chemical weapons and rape being used as a weapon of war. All too often the perpetrators walk free, and the leaders that let it happen remain in positions of power. We want to use our Presidency to promote practical steps to establish the facts of what is happening on the ground and address impunity, and highlight the costs of impunity, including the impact on millions of people around the world.

That’s why we will be giving a voice to those people affected by conflict, persecution and discrimination through those we invite to brief the Council. We will raise issues around the importance of respect for international law, religious persecution, attacks on media freedom and women, peace and security. We will also be looking at some of the components of sustainable solutions to conflict through our open debate on the role of the reconciliation processes and our support of the Rules Based International System with the UN at its heart.”

Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 01/11/2019.

Statement by Ambassador Jonathan Allen, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the Security Council briefing on cooperation between the UN and regional organisations – African Union.

Madam President, the United Kingdom attaches great value to the role of the African Union (AU) in preventing and mediating and resolving conflicts on the African continent. And this is an important element not only of our collective work of the Security Council, but also of the United Kingdom’s own bilateral strategic partnership with the African Union.

We are proud to provide national support for African Union priorities in this area, including the Continental Early Warning System, electoral observation missions, peace support doctrine development and pre-deployment training for African troops and police contributing countries. And we very much commend the determination of United Nations Secretary-General and Chairperson of the African Union to reinforce the partnership between the UN and the AU on peace and security. And let me pay tribute, personally and specifically, to the valuable work of the UN office to the AU under the leadership of SRSG Tetteh, and of course, her counterpart here at the United Nations, Permanent Observer Fatima Mohammed, who both, I think, do excellent work for their organisations.

Madam President, the United Nations-African Union Partnership in Peacekeeping and in Peace Support Operations continues to develop. The United Kingdom supports, in principle, access to UN assessed contributions for future AU-led peace support operations on a case by case basis and subject to certain key conditions. A key consideration in any future council decision on this issue is the African Union’s own commitment to fund 25 percent of the costs of its own peace support operations. This is an important symbol of African determination to take ownership of African-led solutions to conflict on the continent. Robust financial reporting arrangements, clear joint planning and coordination structures and strong compliance frameworks for human rights compliance, international humanitarian law and conduct and discipline will also be key.

And may I at this point express my disappointment to find that posts dealing with just these issues in the UNSOM discussions this year were not supported by members of the Africa group in the Fifth Committee. So we encourage the Secretariat and the African Union Commission to continue their work on these important technical areas.

Madam President, at the Niamey meeting of the 8th of July, Member States agreed that detailed proposals for effective division of labour between the AU and African subregional organisations would be developed. We very much welcome this. An enhanced partnership between the United Nations, the African Union and sub-regional organisations will be crucial in supporting progress on issues such as continued implementation of the South Sudan Peace Agreement – and let me here echo the words of my colleagues about our visit to Juba this month under the leadership of the South African President of the Council and, of course, our American colleagues. I think we left Juba with a clear agreement that we needed to stick to the 12th of November timeline; that all parties needed to compromise for the good of the people of South Sudan; that the United Nations – and I think the African Union with it – the Security Council expressed their commitment to being part and to monitoring the implementation of any outstanding tasks after a transitional government were formed; and, of course, our determination to take action against spoilers.

Let me also say how important that partnership was in Sudan’s transition to civilian governance – and the African Union was strongly supported by this Council through the events of this summer – and, of course, for a sustainable political settlement in Somalia.

On Libya, I would welcome very much an increased African Union role on Libya, as we discussed when we were in Addis. And it’s extremely important, as our German colleague has pointed out, that the African Union is fully represented as part of a key part of the Berlin process. But I would also just highlight the key role that other regional organisations play, including, of course, the League of Arab States – and I’ve no doubt the Kuwaiti ambassador will be mentioning that – and the European Union for that matter.

Madam President, closer coordination between the United Nations, African Union and sub-regional organisations should also support earlier and more effective action to prevent slow burning political crises developing into conflicts, with each leveraging their comparative advantage. And I think this is entirely consistent with the summit with the African Union’s initiative to silence the guns by 2020 and the focus that the Secretary-General and indeed this Council has put on conflict prevention.

We particularly recommend greater collaboration on Cameroon, where inclusive discussion and follow-up on the recommendations the national dialogue are urgently needed to maintain momentum towards peace.

Close coordination between sub-regional actors, the African Union and the United Nations is also vital to resolve the political crisis in Burundi and make progress towards credible and inclusive elections in 2020.

Madam President, we and our colleagues on the African Union Peace and Security Council of course each have our own role to play in strengthening the UN-AU partnership on peace and security under chapter VIII of the United Nations Charter. Our recent annual consultations in Addis Ababa but were a reminder of how valuable it is for us to discuss these issues and seek ways to leverage our comparative advantage.

And I can only agree with the Ambassador of Germany that it would be great to see even greater frankness, perhaps most importantly where we don’t agree, and a greater focus on actions that we can take together. So let me just say that I hope we can keep our channels of dialogue between our two councils open through the coming year, ensure that our consultations foster the development of even deeper and even more meaningful coordination and, of course, do more together to make a reality of peace on the continent of Africa.

I thank you, Madam President.

Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 06/01/2020.

The UK continues to support Venezuelan interim constitutional President Guaidó and efforts toward a peaceful and democratic resolution to the crisis in Venezuela.

An FCO spokesperson said:

“The United Kingdom condemns the steps taken by the Maduro regime to forcibly block and frustrate the democratic process of the Venezuelan National Assembly on 5th January.

Their attempts to prevent the re-election of Juan Guaidó ignore the interests of both the country and its people, undermine respect for democratic institutions and principles, and the rule of law. The Assembly must be allowed to operate legally and to fulfil its responsibilities without fear or impediment.

The United Kingdom underlines its support for interim constitutional President Guaidó and his efforts to lead Venezuela towards a peaceful and democratic resolution of the appalling crisis the country is facing.”