Tag: Downing Street

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 April 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke to new Prime Minister of Hungary, Péter Magyar, from Paris this afternoon.

The Prime Minister began by offering his congratulations, adding that Prime Minister Magyar’s election victory marked a new chapter for Hungary.

That chapter offered a new opportunity for the UK and Hungary to deepen their relationship across all areas, the Prime Minister added.

The leaders also discussed how both countries could work together to tackle Russian aggression.

On Ukraine, the Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Magyar for his support to ensure Ukraine could continue to defend itself from Russia’s barbaric attacks.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 17 April 2026.

The Prime Minister met the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, in Paris this morning, ahead of talks with partners on the Strait of Hormuz.

The leaders began by reflecting on the situation in the Middle East and agreed on the need for a lasting peace to ensure a return to global stability and security in the region.

Turning to the bilateral relationship, both leaders discussed how the UK and France were entering a new era of global collaboration together through the convening of the Coalition of the Willing on Ukraine, and Strait of Hormuz Maritime Freedom of Navigation Initiative.

The Prime Minister also set out his ambition for a closer relationship between the UK and European Union, reflecting the threats and challenges now faced, and the need to build a stronger Europe.

Returning to Ukraine, the leaders underlined the need to continue to ensure the country had the means necessary to drive forward the momentum they had seized on the battlefield.

The leaders also discussed migration. The Prime Minister and President agreed on the need to continue momentum to drive down illegal crossings between France and the UK, and tackle the problem upstream working with international partners.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again during the summit.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 April 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke with the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, earlier this afternoon.

The leaders discussed the situation in the Middle East and the importance of de‑escalation across the region. The Prime Minister stressed the need for a lasting ceasefire, with both leaders agreeing that any ceasefire must include Lebanon to support wider regional stability.

They agreed on the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz for global trade and energy supplies, and on the need to work with a wide coalition of partners to protect freedom of navigation.

Turning to Europe, they underlined the importance of close cooperation between the UK, France and the EU in tackling shared challenges.

On migration, the leaders discussed the importance of continuing efforts to reduce dangerous small boat crossings and tackle irregular migration, including through bilateral cooperation and work with European partners.

They agreed to stay in close touch.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 April 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Sultan of Oman, His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik al Said, this morning.

They discussed the peace talks held in Pakistan over the weekend and urged both sides to find a way through. It was vital there was a continuation of the ceasefire, and that all parties avoided any further escalation, the leaders agreed.

His Majesty updated on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, and the Prime Minister thanked him for Oman’s efforts to rescue sailors from vessels in distress in the region.

Reflecting on international efforts to coordinate safe passage for shipping in the region, the Prime Minister said that following meetings convened by the Foreign Secretary and British military planners, partners continued to work towards restoring freedom of navigation for the long term.

The Prime Minister also reiterated the UK’s commitment to ensuring Oman’s security and updated on the UK’s work with Ukraine on drone technology.

It was clear Ukraine’s expertise had been vital to the region in recent weeks, while Russia appeared to continue to support Iran’s aggression, the Prime Minister added.

The leaders agreed to speak again soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 April 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif this afternoon.

The Prime Minister said that the ceasefire was very welcome and thanked Sharif for Pakistan’s critical role.

They agreed that the upcoming talks were vital to progress the ceasefire towards lasting peace, and to ensure the full reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

Recognising that it was still early days, the Prime Minister was clear that the UK was supportive of this process and hoped it would pave the way to a long-term resolution of the conflict.

They recognised the long and deep ties between the UK and Pakistan and agreed to stay in touch going forward.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 10 April 2026.

The Prime Minister met the Amir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani and his Excellency the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman in Doha this morning.

The Prime Minister underlined the UK’s solidarity with Qatar following Iran’s indefensible attacks and his gratitude for keeping UK nationals living in the country safe.

He added that the UK-Qatar Joint Squadron had worked well together to defend the region in a time of need. Now that the ceasefire has been agreed, he said, this brought some relief but work must be done to ensure it turns into a lasting peace.

They affirmed their strong support for initiatives to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and for the principle of freedom of navigation. The Prime Minister set out how the UK was convening partners on the political, military and logistical steps necessary.

They committed to further strengthen their relationship, including on defence cooperation economic growth.

The Prime Minister said that his visit to the Gulf had been productive and they looked forward to speaking further soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 April 2026.

The Prime Minister met the President of the United Arab Emirates, His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi this afternoon.

The Prime Minister expressed solidarity with the people of the UAE and his condolences for the lives lost as a result of Iran’s reckless bombardment. The leaders agreed that Iran’s targeting of civilian infrastructure in the region was indefensible. 

The Prime Minister welcomed the ceasefire and urged that all sides work to ensure it is upheld and turned into lasting peace in the region. 

Regarding the Strait of Hormuz, the leaders discussed the need to push to restore the free flow of goods to support global supply chains.

On wider bilateral issues, they agreed to continue to strengthen the UK-UAE relationship cross a range of areas, including innovation, trade and investment.

The leaders looked forward to speaking again soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 April 2026.

The Prime Minister met with His Majesty the King of Bahrain, Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa this evening in Manama. 

The Prime Minister strongly condemned the Iranian attacks on Bahrain and reflected on his conversations so far with other leaders in the region. 

He reiterated the importance of ensuring the ceasefire is upheld in order to pave the way for lasting peace. He said that the UK would continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with Bahrain and other allies in the region.

They underlined their commitment to restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and the need to consider and pursue viable plans to deliver this. 

The Prime Minister and Crown Prince also reflected on the long held strong links between their countries and the depth of the relationship, including the strong defence collaboration between the UK and Bahrain and their desire to work on this further.

They looked forward to speaking again soon.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 April 2026.

The Prime Minister spoke to President Trump from Qatar this evening.

The Prime Minister set out his discussions with Gulf leaders and military planners in the region on the need to restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the UK’s efforts to convene partners to agree a viable plan.

They agreed that now there is a ceasefire in place and agreement to open the Strait, we are at the next stage of finding a resolution.

The leaders discussed the need for a practical plan to get shipping moving again as quickly as possible. They agreed to speak again soon.