Tag: 2020 Press Release

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.”

Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 03/01/2020.

The UK has responded to the airstrike carried out by the US on Iranian commander Qasem Soleimani in Iraq.

Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab said:

“We have always recognised the aggressive threat posed by the Iranian Quds force led by Qasem Soleimani. Following his death, we urge all parties to de-escalate. Further conflict is in none of our interests.”

Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 02/01/2020.

Following the storming of the US Embassy in Baghdad in December 2019, the UK has called for diplomatic missions to be protected.

An FCO spokesperson said:

“The UK unequivocally condemns the attack on the US Embassy in Baghdad. It is wholly unacceptable to target diplomatic premises. The Government of Iraq should ensure that diplomatic premises are protected, and those responsible for violence are held to account.”

Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 02/01/2020.

Troika statement reviewing progress towards the formation of South Sudan’s revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity.

The UK, US and Norway have issued a Troika statement:

“The Troika remains committed to the people of South Sudan, and at this important point, we call upon all parties to meet their commitments to deliver lasting peace. With less than six weeks remaining to meet the extended deadline to form a Transitional Government of National Unity, South Sudan’s leaders have a clear duty to their citizens to deliver. We commend the leadership of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development in its continued efforts to mediate among the parties, and we commit to work with the region to ensure that the parties deliver progress.

We welcome the recent meetings between leaders of key parties and their public commitment to form a government of national unity by the February deadline. We urge all sides to build on this, to continue dialogue, and to ensure meaningful progress. We call on all sides to further demonstrate that they possess the political will to deliver peace. We also remind all parties to uphold, and affirm publicly, their commitment to the permanent ceasefire, and to instruct their forces to exercise restraint. Each delay in implementation worsens the urgent humanitarian crisis and shakes the people’s confidence in their leaders.

Ending reliance on military force and creating political space for a diverse range of voices from all political parties, civil society, and the media is essential to creating a durable peace and an inclusive government that represents the interests of all parties to the agreement.

We echo the voices of South Sudan’s civil society leaders, who have called on the government to fund the peace process transparently, and we encourage all signatories to demonstrate measurable progress on the issues of states and boundaries and on the implementation of pre-transitional security arrangements. We encourage South Sudan’s recommitment to the inclusion of at least 35 percent of women in every level of government as decided by all the parties.

The people of South Sudan deserve a government that respects human rights and leaders who make necessary compromises for the greater good of the country. We urge the signatories to the Revitalised Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) to fulfill their obligations to represent the interests of all South Sudanese, do all that is required to form an inclusive national unity government, and lay the foundations for the next steps of South Sudan’s peace process and political transition.”