Tag: 2019 Press Release

Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 21/09/2019.

Troika Statement on the Formation of South Sudan’s Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity.

The text of the following statement was issued jointly by the governments of the United States, Norway, and the United Kingdom:

“South Sudan faces a critical moment in the journey toward a peaceful and prosperous future. There are now less than four weeks for political leaders to form a transitional government as they committed to in the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan. The United States, the United Kingdom, and Norway (the Troika) have consistently welcomed assurances by the parties to implement the agreement and meet its deadlines, and hoped that recent meetings between South Sudan’s leadership show a renewed spirit of cooperation. We commend the actions of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) to broker the agreement and maintain momentum and take hope from the continued reduction in overall violence in South Sudan.

For too long, conflict has been waged at the expense of South Sudan’s most vulnerable and continues to exacerbate humanitarian needs. We encourage the parties, especially the current government, to take concrete steps to build trust through enhanced cooperation. With the November 12 deadline looming, extended from May, much more needs to be done urgently to ensure the success of the transitional government. Progress would help maintain the confidence of all the parties and the international community, demonstrate that the parties have the political will to work together during the transitional period, and provide the opportunity for the international community to engage productively with an inclusive, new government.

We welcome the discussions of IGAD countries in Addis Ababa last week; the region and the international community’s investment and engagement in a peaceful South Sudan remains important. The Troika will continue to stand with and support the people of South Sudan, who want and deserve peace and a government that that protects its people. We urge the South Sudanese parties to meet the November 12 deadline to form a transitional government that will enable the conditions for a constructive relationship during the next phase of South Sudan’s peace process. The UNSC visit to South Sudan offers an opportunity for the international community to discuss with South Sudanese leaders how to accelerate such progress.”

Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 21/09/2019.

The agreement will ensure British businesses and consumers benefit from continued preferential trade with Georgia after we leave the EU.

The Foreign Secretary today signed an agreement between the UK and Georgia to ensure that our trade and political relationship remains strong after we leave the EU.

The deal – formally known as the UK-Georgia Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement – is the first continuity trade agreement between the UK and an Eastern European country.

it replicates the comprehensive market access for trade in goods and services the UK is party to under the EU agreement, further strengthening the trading relationship between the UK and Georgia trading under the terms outlined in the agreement, rather than on World Trade Organization terms, will ensure British businesses and consumers benefit from continued preferential access to Georgia after the UK leaves the European Union

The Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said:

The signing of this agreement gives British exporters and consumers the certainty they need to continue trading freely with Georgia, as the UK prepares to leave the EU. It underlines the significance of our strong ties with Georgia and will ensure that our political and trade relationship continues to flourish.

International Trade Secretary Liz Truss said:

The UK Government is committed to developing both our political and trading relationship with Georgia.

This agreement will ensure minimal disruption for businesses and consumers in both our countries as we prepare to leave the EU and usher in a new phase of cooperation between our two nations.

The Foreign Minister of Georgia David Zalkaliani said:

The signing of the Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement between Georgia and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will further foster our bilateral cooperation, which has its roots running deep in history and which has been brought to a particularly high level by the UK-Georgia Wardrop Strategic Dialogue. Partnership between two countries is based upon shared values and common interests, including in promoting rules-based international order, security and stability.

As well as setting out comprehensive free trade arrangements, the new deal frames how our countries will work together in the future. It highlights the UK’s support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as both countries’ commitment to strengthening fundamental freedoms and human rights and deepening our security relationship.

The agreement pledges that we will continue our cooperation in areas such as financial services, education, transport, industry and environmental protection. It also recognises Georgia’s strong commitment to an ambitious reform agenda in key areas such as governance, economic reform, trade and security policy.

Background

the UK maintains a strategic partnership with Georgia based on our support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders

Georgia becomes the 47th country with whom the UK has signed a trade continuity agreement

this agreement recognises Georgia’s continuing reform of its defence and security sectors, its strong commitment and contribution to international security and the significant progress it has made in realising its Euro-Atlantic aspirations

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

the UK-Georgia Strategic Partnership and Cooperation Agreement replicates the effects of the existing trade and non-trade provisions as far as possible

the comprehensive new agreement delivers the same level of liberalisation in trade, services and public procurement currently enjoyed under the original EU-Georgia Association Agreement
trade between the UK and Georgia was worth £95 million in 2018 – statistics sourced from ONS ‘UK total trade: all countries, non-seasonally adjusted January to March 2019 release’. Figures relate to 2018

the UK has now secured agreements with countries that accounted for £100 billion of trade in 2018

Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 21/10/2019.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab gave a statement in the House of Commons on the death of Harry Dunn and what the Foreign Office is doing to support his family.

“Today, I want to update the House on the tragic case of the death of the 19 year old Harry Dunn in a car accident in Northamptonshire, and what we are doing to support his family in their search for justice.

As the father of 2 young boys myself, I can only begin to imagine the grief and suffering of losing a child. It’s every family’s worst nightmare.

I’m sure the whole House will join with me in expressing my deepest sympathies to Harry’s family for their unbearable loss.

Mr Speaker, let me start with the facts of this case, and the steps that the government has taken in recent weeks to support the police investigation.

On 27 August, Harry Dunn was killed in a road traffic collision while riding his motorbike in Croughton, Northamptonshire. The suspect in the police investigation is an American woman.

As it has been widely reported, at the time of the accident, the American involved had diplomatic immunity. The UK government had been notified of the family’s arrival in the UK in July 2019.

This diplomatic immunity was the result of the arrangements agreed between the UK government and the US government in 1995.

Under those arrangements, US staff at RAF Croughton and their families were accepted as part of the US Embassy in the UK.

Pursuant to these arrangements, the staff and their families were entitled to immunity under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

Under the exchange of notes in relation to the Croughton Annex, these arrangements waived immunity for employees, but the waiver did not cover spouses.

Returning to the specific case of Harry Dunn. On 28 August of this year, the US Embassy notified us that the spouse of a member of staff at RAF Croughton had been involved in an accident.

On 30 August, the US asserted that the spouse was covered by immunity, so a waiver was needed.

To enable the police investigation to follow its proper course, on 5 September, the FCO formally requested the US Embassy to waive immunity. Given the seriousness of the incident, our view was -and remains – that justice needs to be done.

If her immunity had been waived, Northamptonshire Police would then have been able to compel her to cooperate fully with their investigation.

However, on 13 September, the FCO was informed by the US Embassy that they would not waive immunity, and that the individual would be leaving the country imminently, unless the UK had strong objections.

We duly and immediately objected in clear and strong terms and have done since. Nevertheless, under the Vienna Convention, UK police could not have lawfully prevented the individual from leaving the UK.

When the FCO followed up with the US Embassy on 16 September, they informed us that the individual had departed the day before.

We immediately informed Northants Police.

When FCO’s views were sought on timing, officials asked the police to delay telling the family by a day or two, so that they could inform me and other Ministers and agree the next course of action.

I am aware that the police did not tell the family until 26 September, which was 11 days after the family had left.

As the primary point of family liaison, the decision as to when to tell the family was properly a matter for the police.

Turning to the issue of waiver, I can reassure the House that representations have been made to the US government at every level of the administration. The Head of the Diplomatic Service summoned the US Deputy Ambassador.

I raised this case twice with the US Ambassador, in order to express my disappointment with their decision not to waive immunity, and to request that the decision be reversed.

I spoke to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in the same terms on 7 October, and the Prime Minister raised the case with President Trump on 9 October.

The scope of immunity is a complex area of law, because in some circumstances there may be a residual immunity that can continue once an individual returns home, depending on their status and the particular facts of the case.

Our position, in this case, is that immunity clearly ended when the individual concerned left the UK.

The US government in turn stated on 8 October that since the individual had returned to the US, in their view, immunity was ‘no longer pertinent’.

We took time and we took care to resolve this point, because of its relevance to the case.

We also wanted to be fully confident in the legal position, before we communicated it to the family, given their anguish and frustration with the obstacles to the investigation. Once the position was clear, I conveyed it directly to the family by letter on 12 October.

We continue to urge the US authorities and the individual in question to fully cooperate with the investigation.

The case is now with Northamptonshire Police and the Crown Prosecution Service, and it is for them to consider next steps as part of their criminal investigation.

At every stage in this process, we have sought to clear away any obstacles to justice being done.

At the same time, I have been mindful of the need to avoid anything that could be construed as political interference, in case that might later be argued to prejudice the proper and fair course of the investigation, and thereby prevent justice being done.

Mr Speaker, let me now turn to our next steps.

First, we will continue to do all that we can to support the Police and the CPS during this process. And I can assure this House, as I assured Harry’s family when I met with them on 9 October, that we will continue to fight for justice for them.

Second, I have already commissioned a review of the immunity arrangements for US personnel and their families at the Croughton Annex, holding privileges and immunities under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.

As this case has demonstrated, I do not believe the current arrangements are right. The review will look at how we make sure the arrangements at Croughton cannot be used in this way again.

Mr Speaker, in one night, a tragic accident took the life of a young man with his whole future ahead of him.

That loss has devastated his family, as it would any of ours.

I can reassure the House that this government will do everything it can to give them the solace of justice being done. Our hearts go out to them, and I commend this statement to the House.”

Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 22/10/2019.

The British High Commission and the British Council in Cyprus hosted the first ever island-wide reception for graduates of UK universities.

Your Excellency President of the House of Representatives and acting President of the Republic, Mr Dimitris Syllouris, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen

I apologise for disrupting the DJ. I hope you’ve been enjoying his music, as well as the fish and chips, and the gin, and perhaps feeling a little nostalgic for those student days and perhaps some misspent nights in the UK.

On behalf of myself and my wife Denise I extend a very warm welcome to this very special gathering of very special people. That’s you: the Cypriot alumni of British universities, from around the island.

In some ways it’s surprising we’ve not had a reception like this before. With over 40,000 Cypriot alumni of UK universities it’s not easy to organise an island-wide gathering of you all: the garden simply isn’t big enough, especially on a wet evening. But I’m delighted to start with this select group this evening: you are obviously the most active and ambitious alumni!

Having studied in the UK you don’t need me to tell you about the benefits of a UK education. Perhaps like me you saw the recent report which reveals that Cyprus is the 10th most important source country for international students in the UK. My guess is that means Cyprus sends more students to the UK per head of population than any other.

Not that education collaboration is a one-way street. UK institutions are increasingly looking to deliver British education here in Cyprus – through Cyprus-based campuses and departments, joint degree courses and distance learning. And I would like to pay tribute to President Syllouris for the strong personal support which he has offered for these transnational education initiatives, which are helping position Cyprus as a higher education hub in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Meanwhile research collaboration between Britain and Cyprus goes from strength to strength. We’re showcasing many of these research collaborations and educational partnerships this evening, and welcoming representatives of three of the biggest research collaborations in Cyprus, which are all with UK universities: KIOS, RISE and Maritec-X with Imperial, UCL and Southampton respectively. You’d be surprised if as High Commissioner I didn’t mention Brexit. As you know events appear to be reaching a climax, with some increasingly positive indications about the prospects for reaching a deal at the European Council in Brussels.

Whatever your views on Brexit, I want to assure you that the UK Government is fully committed to an even stronger and deeper relationship between Britain and Cyprus, based on shared values, shared membership of the Commonwealth, and the wealth of personal connections of which you are part. While we have chosen to leave the EU, we are not leaving Europe. We were close partners before Britain or Cyprus joined the EU, and with your help and support, I am confident that we will be even closer partners in future.

Let me close with a few words of thanks:

To our sponsors for this evening: PWC Cyprus and Laiko Cosmos Trading

To the representatives of over 30 UK universities who have joined us here: they are in Cyprus for the British Council’s annual Study UK Fair.

To the UK university alumni groups on the island. They have well-established networks of alumni, and are enthusiastic proponents of staying in touch with their institutions and keeping alive the connections they made there. We have joined forces in organising tonight’s reception, and I thank them for introducing many new faces to the High Commission.

And above all, to you Your Excellency, Mr President, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, thank you again for joining us tonight. I encourage you to stay in touch with us, directly, through your university alumni groups or through our UKalumniCY page on Facebook.

Thank you very much.

Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 22/10/2019.

Aidan Liddle, Permanent Representative to the Conference on Disarmament, makes statement to the UN General Assembly, outlining UK’s commitment for a world without nuclear weapons.

The United Kingdom aligns itself with the statement made by the EU. Allow me to add the following in our national capacity.

Mr Chair,

The UK remains committed to a world without nuclear weapons, with undiminished security for all, and to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The 2020 Review Conference, on the 50th anniversary of the Treaty’s entry into force, provides an opportunity to celebrate its successes and come together to strengthen its future.

The Treaty and the IAEA safeguards that underpin it have helped to make us safer and more prosperous. They have extended the benefits of the peaceful uses of nuclear energy, provided a framework for substantial disarmament and minimised the proliferation of nuclear weapons.

Our commitment to the step-by-step approach to nuclear disarmament under the NPT remains undiminished. That commitment is not just rhetorical; we have demonstrated it by our actions over the years.

While the UK’s independent nuclear deterrent remains essential to our security today, and will do so for as long as the global security situation demands, it is maintained at a minimum credible level. We have reduced our deterrent to a single delivery system, and our operationally available warheads to no more than 120, of which just 40 are deployed. We also remain committed to reducing our overall stockpile to no more than 180 warheads by the next decade.

The ongoing programme to maintain and renew elements of our nuclear deterrent capability to ensure its continued safety and reliability is a necessary aspect of being a responsible Nuclear Weapon State, and is fully consistent with our obligations under Article VI of the NPT

The UK continues to support the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty and Organisation, and the start and early conclusion of negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty in the Conference on Disarmament. We have maintained a voluntary moratorium on the production of fissile material for use in nuclear weapons or other explosive nuclear devices since 1995.

The UK contributes actively to work on nuclear disarmament verification, including through international initiatives such as the IPNDV and the Quad Partnership with Sweden, Norway and the US. In that regard we are proud to co-sponsor resolution L.22 on Nuclear Disarmament Verification, which we commend to the Committee.

The UK also welcomes other efforts to explore realistic paths to nuclear disarmament, including the United States’ Creating the Environment for Nuclear Disarmament initiative and Sweden’s Stepping Stones initiative.

We are also committed to increasing transparency, to the extent possible, and to improving our reporting on our NPT obligations and undertakings.

The UK does not, however, intend to support, sign or ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. The Ban Treaty risks undermining the NPT, ignores the security environment and does not address the technical and procedural challenges that must be overcome to achieve nuclear disarmament in a secure and responsible manner.

Mr Chair,

At the same time, we must acknowledge the serious challenges that exist in the security environment.

Russia’s decision to continue to develop and deploy destabilising new nuclear capabilities threatens global security. Earlier this year, their decision to deploy a prohibited missile system led to the collapse of the Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces Treaty. We regret that Russia showed no willingness and took no demonstrable steps to return to compliance with its international obligations. Russia bears sole responsibility for the Treaty’s demise.

We remain committed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and as such are deeply concerned by Iran’s moves to reduce nuclear compliance. We urge Iran to reverse its actions and adhere fully to its commitments. We are working closely with partners on diplomatic efforts to engage Iran on negotiations for a long-term framework for its nuclear programme as well as on its destabilising regional activity.

North Korea’s nuclear programme poses a threat to regional and global security and the integrity of the NPT regime. We urge North Korea to engage in further dialogue to decrease tensions on the Korean Peninsula and to undertake complete, verifiable and irreversible denuclearisation.

It is against the backdrop of this challenging security environment that the NPT remains so important. It is a fundamental pillar of international security and the only framework we have to limit nuclear proliferation and pave the way for a world without nuclear weapons. That is why the UK continues to campaign for the universalisation of the NPT. As the 2020 Review Conference approaches, we remain determined to work with partners across the international community to strengthen the NPT that benefits us all.

Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 22/10/2019.

Mr Neil Crompton has been appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in succession to Mr Simon Collis CMG.

Mr Neil Crompton has been appointed Her Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in succession to Mr Simon Collis CMG who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Mr Crompton will take up his appointment during February 2020.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Full name: Neil Crompton

Married to: Rosa Zaragoza

Children: Two

2019 Full-time Language Training (Arabic)
2015 to 2019 FCO, Director, Middle East and North Africa Directorate
2014 to 2015 FCO, Deputy Political Director, Eastern Europe and Central Asia Directorate, and South Asia and Afghanistan Directorate
2012 to 2014 FCO, Director, South Asia and Afghanistan Directorate
2007 to 2011 Washington, Counsellor, Foreign and Security Policy Department, Joint Intelligence Committee Representative
2005 to 2007 FCO, Iran Coordinator, Iran Department
2003 to 2005 FCO, Head of Iraq Policy Unit
1999 to 2003 Tehran, Deputy Head of Mission
1998 to 1999 Full-time Language Training (Farsi)
1997 to 1998 FCO, Head of Iran Section
1995 to 1997 FCO, Senior Research Officer, Middle East and North Africa Group