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The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 October 2024.

Foreign Secretary makes historic visit to Dublin as part of government’s drive to reset relations with Europe.

• UK and Ireland to welcome current and future collaboration on growth and climate, and global issues
• delivering on UK government commitment to reset with Ireland and the EU as a whole, David Lammy visits Ireland alongside Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations Nick Thomas-Symonds
• new chapter of UK-Irish relations focussed on rebuilding bridges and re-establishing trust as international partners.

David Lammy will arrive in Dublin today (3 October), the first Foreign Secretary to do so in over 7 years.

This historic visit will reiterate the government’s commitment to resetting ties with Ireland and Europe and follows the Prime Minister’s visit to Dublin last month where he announced the first UK-Ireland Summit will take place next year.

Ireland is the UK’s closest neighbour, the relationship is built on close economic and cultural connections – from infrastructure and energy markets to family ties, stretching from Limerick to Liverpool. Working with Ireland powers homes, protects people and drives growth.

As part of this government’s ongoing work to reset the UK’s relations with Europe, the Foreign Secretary will hold high level talks with Tánaiste Micheál Martin.

David Lammy and Micheál Martin will seek to ensure the British-Irish partnership can reach its full potential and drive forward a modern foreign and development policy partnership.

The Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said:

For too long our relationship with Ireland has not delivered to its full potential – but now, together, we are setting out on a new path.

Ireland is our closest neighbour in many more ways than just geography. Our energy systems, infrastructure, economic markets, culture, sporting pursuits and family trees are deeply intertwined.

Let’s use this unique connection to strengthen our partnership to help both the UK and Ireland forge a more secure and prosperous future.

As a key member of the European Union, a closer friendship with Ireland will ensure the UK’s relationship with the EU can continue to improve – echoing the Prime Minister’s determination to move beyond Brexit, including work towards a security pact and the implementation of the Windsor Framework.

The Minister for the Constitution and European Union Relations will also meet the Minister of State for Europe, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD, to discuss a number of issues including the reset in the UK’s relationship with the EU, following the Prime Minister’s meeting with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen on Wednesday.

Minister for the Constitution and European Union, Nick Thomas-Symonds, said:

As the Prime Minister and President von der Leyen confirmed yesterday, our shared challenges require stronger cooperation between the UK and EU.

I’m delighted to be in Dublin today with the Foreign Secretary to discuss how the UK, Ireland and the EU can start to build the stable, positive and forward-looking relationship we need for long term cooperation.

The reset relationship will also focus on delivering climate-conscious growth for businesses and workers in both the UK and Ireland. This will help to protect the economy, create jobs, and seize the opportunity of the transition.

The Foreign Secretary, a year on since the launch of the 2 Co-Centres for Climate, Biodiversity, Water and for Sustainable Food Systems, will visit Trinity College Dublin to see the work being done to address the climate crisis first hand.

Collectively, the Co-Centres house research for innovation and policy across climate, biodiversity and water challenges. Together the UK and Ireland are deploying the brightest minds to ensure collective, multilateral action on the defining challenge of our times.

Whilst at Trinity, the Foreign Secretary will meet with Mary Robinson – Ireland’s first female President – who now serves as Adjunct Professor for Climate Justice at the College. The Foreign Secretary will hear from Mary Robinson and her colleagues how the UK and Ireland can employ these strategies to tackle the climate crisis.

This follows the Foreign Secretary’s Kew Lecture, where he outlined how action on climate is vital to our security, prosperity and future.

On the world stage, the UK and Ireland share an unbreakable commitment to the UN, to the European Convention on Human Rights, to justice, accountability and the rule of law. Both countries stand together against Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine and for an immediate ceasefire in the Middle East.

The UK and Ireland know how to work together for peace; the Good Friday Agreement is one of the nations’ proudest shared achievements and a cornerstone of modern conflict resolution. The foreign ministers will discuss how the UK and Ireland can work more closely on peacebuilding efforts around the globe.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 October 2024.

UK and Mauritius have reached a historic agreement to secure the strategically important UK-US military base on Diego Garcia.

• UK government agrees a deal with Mauritius today to settle historic sovereignty claims, protect our national security and close a potential illegal migration route
• deal ensures long term secure operation of the UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, a vital facility for maintaining international security
• agreement protects UK interests and those of international partners, with strong US backing

The UK and Mauritius have reached a historic agreement to secure the strategically important UK-US military base on Diego Garcia, which plays a crucial role in regional stability and international security.

For the first time in more than 50 years, the status of the base will be undisputed and legally secure, following a political agreement between the UK and Mauritius.

The agreement underpins the UK’s steadfast duty to keep the country safe, with the operation of the military base unchanged, in an increasingly volatile world.

The previous government started negotiations on the future of British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT)/Chagos Archipelago, but years after the negotiations began issues have remained unresolved.

The agreement is strongly supported by international partners including the United States, which has joint operation of the strategic military base.

Without today’s agreement, the long-term, secure operation of the military base would be under threat, with contested sovereignty and legal challenges – including through various international courts and tribunals.

The agreement demonstrates the UK government’s commitment to safeguarding global security and averting threats to peace and prosperity in the Indian Ocean and wider Indo-Pacific. It sees Mauritius assume sovereignty over BIOT, with the UK authorised to exercise the sovereign rights of Mauritius on Diego Garcia.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

This government inherited a situation where the long-term, secure operation of the Diego Garcia military base was under threat, with contested sovereignty and ongoing legal challenges.

Today’s agreement secures this vital military base for the future. It will strengthen our role in safeguarding global security, shut down any possibility of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous illegal migration route to the UK, as well as guaranteeing our long-term relationship with Mauritius, a close Commonwealth partner.

Diego Garcia has also seen a small number of vulnerable migrants arrive since 2021, subsequently launching asylum claims. The agreement will shut down any possibility of the Indian Ocean being used as a dangerous illegal migration route to the UK, with Mauritius taking responsibility for any future arrivals.

This week’s political agreement is subject to a treaty and supporting legal instruments being finalised. Both sides have committed to complete this as quickly as possible.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 October 2024.

The governments of the Republic of Mauritius and the UK gave a statement on the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia.

Joint statement between the governments of the Republic of Mauritius and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland concerning the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia:

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Mauritius and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland today confirm that they have reached an historic political agreement on the exercise of sovereignty over the Chagos Archipelago.

Following two years of negotiation, this is a seminal moment in our relationship and a demonstration of our enduring commitment to the peaceful resolution of disputes and the rule of law.  Negotiations have been conducted in a constructive and respectful manner, as equal sovereign States, on the basis of international law, and with the intention of resolving all outstanding issues between the United Kingdom and Mauritius concerning the Chagos Archipelago, including those relating to its former inhabitants.

Today’s political agreement is subject to the finalisation of a treaty and supporting legal instruments, which both sides have committed to complete as quickly as possible. Under the terms of this treaty the United Kingdom will agree that Mauritius is sovereign over the Chagos Archipelago, including Diego Garcia. At the same time, both our countries are committed to the need, and will agree in the treaty, to ensure the long-term, secure and effective operation of the existing base on Diego Garcia which plays a vital role in regional and global security.  For an initial period of 99 years, the United Kingdom will be authorised to exercise with respect to Diego Garcia the sovereign rights and authorities of Mauritius required to ensure the continued operation of the base well into the next century.

The treaty will address wrongs of the past and demonstrate the commitment of both parties to support the welfare of Chagossians.  Mauritius will now be free to implement a programme of resettlement on the islands of the Chagos Archipelago, other than Diego Garcia, and the UK will capitalise a new trust fund, as well as separately provide other support, for the benefit of Chagossians.

It will also herald a new era of economic, security and environmental partnership between our two nations. To enable this partnership the UK will provide a package of financial support to Mauritius.  This will include an indexed annual payment for the duration of the agreement and the establishment of a transformational infrastructure partnership, underpinned by UK grant funding, to deliver strategic projects generating meaningful change for ordinary Mauritians and boosting economic development across the country.  More broadly, the UK and Mauritius will cooperate on environmental protection, maritime security, combating illegal fishing, irregular migration and drug and people trafficking within the Chagos Archipelago, with the shared objective of securing and protecting one of the world’s most important marine environments.  This will include the establishment of a Mauritian Marine Protected Area.

In resolving all outstanding issues between the United Kingdom and Mauritius, the treaty will open a new chapter in our shared history, one which will continue to be based on mutual respect and trust as close Commonwealth partners committed to the security and prosperity of the Indian Ocean Region.  In reaching today’s political agreement, we have enjoyed the full support and assistance of our close partners, the United States of America and the Republic of India.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 October 2024.

Mr Hugo Shorter has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Islamic Republic of Iran in succession to Mr Simon Shercliff CMG OBE. Mr Shorter will take up his appointment in October 2024.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Hugo Benedict Shorter

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 October 2024.

Government set to help hundreds of British nationals leave Lebanon in the coming days, as they are urged to get the first flight available.

• comes after more than 150 British nationals and dependents left Beirut on a government-chartered flight yesterday and the Defence Secretary visited troops in Cyprus working on contingency planning
• UK and partners continue to call for de-escalation in the region and urge all parties to step back from the brink

The UK government has chartered a limited number of flights from Lebanon to support British nationals to leave the country in response to the deteriorating security situation.

To meet the demand for the charter flight on Wednesday, additional flights will depart from Beirut-Rafic Hariri International Airport from Thursday. The flights will continue for as long as the security situation allows.

The UK continues to work with partners to increase capacity on commercial flights for British nationals. Around 700 troops and Foreign Office and Home Office staff, including Border Force officers, have been deployed to Cyprus for contingency planning.

British nationals who have registered their presence with the government will be sent details on how to request a seat. Those who have not already registered their presence in Lebanon are urged to do so immediately.

British nationals and their spouse or partner, and children under the age of 18 are eligible. All passengers must hold a valid travel document. Dependants who are not British nationals will require a valid visa that has been granted for a period of stay in the UK of more than 6 months.

British nationals and their dependants should not travel to the airport unless they have a seat booked on a plane.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

Recent events have demonstrated the volatility of the situation in Lebanon.

The safety of British nationals in Lebanon continues to be our number one priority. That’s why we are announcing additional chartered flights to help those who want to leave.

I urge all British nationals still in Lebanon to register with the FCDO and leave the country immediately.

UK government officials have been working round the clock in London, Beirut and the wider region to provide support to British nationals. A FCDO Rapid Deployment Team has also arrived in Lebanon to bolster the support offered by British Embassy officials.

Yesterday (2 October) Defence Secretary John Healey MP travelled to Cyprus to meet and thank military personnel who are deployed as part of contingency planning to support British nationals in Lebanon. He also met with his Cypriot counterpart Vasilis Palmas. They discussed the urgent need for de-escalation in the Middle East as well as the country’s support for humanitarian operations.

The Defence Secretary also held a call with his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant to express the UK’s condemnation of the Iranian attack and call for de-escalation and a ceasefire in Lebanon.

The FCDO urges everyone to continue to follow the relevant travel advice, exercise caution, and monitor media in Lebanon for developments.

The UK continues to call for a ceasefire between Lebanese Hizballah and Israel. A ceasefire would provide the space necessary to find a political solution in line with Resolution 1701.

Background

• British nationals and dependants will be eligible to request a space on the flight. Any non-British dependants will require a visa to enter the UK, granted for a period of stay in the UK of longer than 6 months, in line with usual immigration rules and entry process
• the FCDO launched the register your presence in Lebanon service on Wednesday 25 September 2024
• a limited number of commercial flights are still operating and the FCDO has been working with partners to increase capacity to enable British nationals to leave
• the FCDO has been advising British nationals to leave Lebanon since October 2023

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 October 2024.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Tánaiste Micheál Martin issued a joint communiqué following their meeting in Dublin on 3 October 2024.

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin welcomed UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy to Iveagh House on 3 October 2024.  Following the September visit by Prime Minister Starmer to Dublin, the visit provided an important opportunity to underscore the commitment to and ambition of both Governments for the British Irish relationship.

The Tánaiste and Foreign Secretary Lammy were joined by Nick Thomas-Symonds MP, Minister for the Constitution and EU Relations who updated them on the meeting of Prime Minister Keir Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels yesterday. They agreed on the importance of a positive UK-EU relationship and looked forward to further work to strengthen cooperation.

The Tánaiste and Foreign Secretary placed a particular focus on investing in connections between our people, supporting sustainable economic growth through increased trade and investment, and deepening key strategic links that deliver in the long-term for both our countries.

Looking ahead to the first annual UK-Ireland Summit in March 2025, given the common global and security challenges that we face, they agreed to intensify cooperation on foreign and security policy issues as well instituting annual political consultations at senior official level.  They agreed to explore closer co-operation on peacebuilding.

The Tánaiste and Foreign Secretary focussed also on pressing global and security concerns.

Following their recent engagements at the United Nations, they emphasised the critical importance of protecting multilateralism and international law. They underlined both countries’ resolute support for Ukraine in the face of Russia’s illegal war.  At what is a critical moment in the Middle East, they agreed on the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages, unhindered access for humanitarian aid and renewed focus on a two-state solution which is the only viable path to lasting peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians.

They condemned Iranian attacks on Israel, expressed deep concern about spiralling violence in the region and agreed the need for an immediate ceasefire between Hizballah and Israel. A political solution is the only way to restore stability and security for those innocent people living either side of the Lebanese-Israeli border.

They discussed opportunities to work together on international development and the fight against poverty, hunger and malnutrition, and on climate action, where both ministers looked forward to COP 29 and the Foreign Secretary set out the UK’s plans for a Global Clean Power Alliance.

Recognising the fundamental role of both governments as co-guarantors of the Good Friday Agreement, the Tánaiste and Foreign Secretary touched also on developments in Northern Ireland, welcoming the importance of the constructive early engagements with the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. They noted the importance of the full and faithful implementation of the Windsor Framework, as well as engagement between the Irish and UK governments as the UK government works to repeal and replace the Legacy Act.

The Tánaiste and the Foreign Secretary agreed on the importance of a positive UK-EU relationship, noting that the EU and the UK are like-minded partners with shared values facing a globally challenging environment. They agreed that there is real potential for the UK and the EU to work further together to mutual benefit. They welcomed the recent agreement of Prime Minister Starmer and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to take forward an ambitious agenda of strengthened cooperation at pace over the coming months.

Finally, they welcomed the ambition for the relationship, as reflected by Ireland’s decision to open a new Ireland House in central London in 2026. Delivering on commitments in the Global Ireland Strategy, Ireland House will bring Ireland’s Embassy and state agencies together under one roof for the first time and is a clear expression of intent and confidence in the UK-Ireland relationship into the future.

Modelled on the successful Ireland Houses in operation or under development across the globe, including New York, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo, the investment will underpin a trading partnership worth €120 billion annually, as well as rich cultural, community and diaspora relationships. It also builds on Ireland’s government investment across Great Britain in recent years, including the opening of a new Consulate General in Manchester in 2021, and deepened partnerships with Scotland and Wales.

The Tánaiste and Foreign Secretary look forward to advancing a programme of cooperation that will further underscore relationship renewal in the period ahead.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 October 2024.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on cooperation between the UN and the African Union.

I will make three points.

First, the UK welcomes the African Union’s leadership in championing multilateralism and supporting stability and prosperity across Africa. We praise the AU’s work driving and sustaining peace and security on the continent and its focus on putting women and youth at the centre of peace-making, peacekeeping and peacebuilding.

We welcome African leadership in this council and have long supported permanent African representation.

Second, we reaffirm our support for the deepening cooperation and partnership between the UN and the AU to advance our shared objectives. This is especially evident in Somalia.

We express our gratitude to the AU and troop contributing countries who, with the coordination and input of the UN Support Office for Somalia, have worked tirelessly to improve security in Somalia through the ATMIS mission.

We look forward to receiving the proposals by the UN and AU, in consultation with Somalia and international stakeholders, finalising the mission design for ATMIS’ successor, in line with Resolution 2748.

It is imperative that the final mission is financially viable and deliverable, and that it supports Somalia’s efforts to eventually assume full responsibility for, and ownership of, its security.

Third, we welcome the work of the joint UN-AU taskforce to prepare implementation of Resolution 2719, including in the critical areas of joint planning and decision making, financing and budgeting, human rights compliance, and protection of civilians. Sustained close collaboration between the UN and the AU will be essential to ensure 2719’s success.

We encourage member states to continue to support the AU in developing their frameworks. We look forward to receiving the joint roadmap, including a realistic assessment of needs and timeframes, and welcome this Council being kept updated on progress.

President, in conclusion, the UK looks forward to further collaboration, cooperation and partnership between the UN and the AU. This will be vital to help silence the guns and tackle the greatest challenges and conflicts on the continent.

We look forward to the consultations between the UN Security Council and the AU Peace and Security Council later this month.