Tag: Downing Street

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 16 April 2023.

The Prime Minister will begin his second week of events to mark a quarter of a century since the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement was signed.

He will travel back to Belfast on Wednesday where he will acknowledge the “courage, imagination and perseverance” of those who engineered and supported the agreement, as part of the closing keynote speech at the Queen’s University’s ‘Agreement 25’ conference.

As part of the Gala Dinner that evening, he will host the remarkable young people who have made a real change to their communities by demonstrating the spirit of the agreement. This younger generation of volunteers make an outstanding contribution to promoting reconciliation through integrated education, sport, the arts and community service.

The Prime Minister will also meet with key architects of the agreement, along with Irish and US representatives where he will acknowledge the unique moment in our nation’s history.

Next week’s visit will be the Prime Minister’s fifth to Northern Ireland since he has been in office, making it one of his most visited locations.

The Prime Minister said:

This week we continue to acknowledge the courage, imagination and perseverance of those who built the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement. It gives me great pleasure to meet with some of the leading architects of peace and to commemorate those who are no longer with us.

It is a tribute to the 1998 Agreement that we also see a younger generation of inspirational people across Northern Ireland today. Those who volunteer time and effort to actively make their communities stronger.

So this week I will also pay tribute to young people who have continued to heal the wounds of a dark and difficult past, and those who came before them and set the groundwork for a better future.

The agreement continues to enjoy huge international support and the days ahead will see a spotlight on the peace, prosperity and economic opportunity which have ensued from the commitment in 1998. This week will provide further opportunity to reflect and discuss the ongoing transformation and progress across communities in Northern Ireland.

Queen’s University’s ‘Agreement 25’ conference will start on Monday and include speeches, panel discussions, plenary sessions and collaborative events from former and current political leaders.

The Gala Dinner will round off the recent period of events to commemorate the anniversary and strengthen efforts to support our vision for a prosperous 25 years ahead.

This follows President Biden’s visit to Belfast last week where the Prime Minister and the President celebrated the progress that Northern Ireland has made over the last quarter of a century and recommitted to building an even brighter future for Northern Ireland.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 14 April 2023.

The Prime Minister spoke to President Zelenskyy this morning.

The leaders discussed the latest situation on the battlefield and the Prime Minister paid tribute to the efforts of the Ukrainian forces in Bakhmut.

Discussing the abhorrent beheading of a Ukrainian soldier shown on social media in recent days, the Prime Minister said the video was appalling and those responsible had to be held to account.

The leaders also discussed efforts to accelerate military support to Ukraine, and the Prime Minister said the UK and its allies needed to continue to ensure Ukraine was in the strongest possible position to build on its recent battlefield successes.

That included increasing interoperability with NATO both in the short and long term, the Prime Minister added.

The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 13 April 2023.

The Prime Minister spoke to Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte this morning.

Discussing the latest situation in Ukraine, the Prime Minister thanked the Dutch leader for the Netherlands’ ongoing support to the country, both militarily and in pursuit of justice for alleged war crimes.

The leaders reflected on the close collaboration between the UK and the Netherlands on supplying new capabilities to Ukraine in the coming months, and agreed on the importance of increasing operability between NATO and Ukrainian forces.

Looking ahead to the NATO summit in July, the leaders said it was important Sweden formally joined the alliance before the meeting.

Discussing the shared challenges faced by the UK and the Netherlands, the leaders agreed on the importance of working together across Europe to tackle illegal migration.

The Prime Minister said he was also pleased the UK and the Netherlands were working so closely through the North Sea Summit to harness the potential of offshore energy in the region and further shore up energy security.

The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 April 2023.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak welcomed US President Joe Biden to the United Kingdom for a meeting in Belfast today.

The leaders reflected on the legacy of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, which was signed 25 years ago this week. They agreed that this anniversary is a moment to celebrate the progress that Northern Ireland has made over the last quarter of a century and to recommit to building an even brighter future for Northern Ireland.

The Prime Minister thanked President Biden for the role the US people and businesses have played in Northern Ireland’s prosperity, with billions of pounds of investment creating tens of thousands of jobs.

The Prime Minister and President Biden both expressed their sincere hope that the institutions in Northern Ireland will be restored as soon as possible.

The Prime Minister and President Biden discussed the wider relationship between the UK and the US.

They agreed that manipulation of global markets by authoritarian leaders demonstrates, more than ever, the need for likeminded partners to work together to support the economic health and security of our nations.

The leaders said that the thriving trade relationship between the UK and US demonstrates we are doing just that.

They looked forward to discussing the issue of economic security further during the G7 Summit next month and the Prime Minister’s visit to Washington DC in June.

They also agreed on the importance of using global forums like the G7 and G20 to challenge economic coercion and market manipulation, and promote the economic well-being of our countries.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 12 April 2023.

The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to personally present six-year old Dáithí Mac Gabhann with his daily Points of Light award this morning.

As part of the Prime Minister’s visit to Northern Ireland to mark the 25th anniversary of the Belfast Good Friday Agreement this week, he is expected to personally present six-year old Dáithí Mac Gabhann with his daily Points of Light award this morning.

The Points of Light awards recognise outstanding volunteers and people who are contributing to their community.

Today, the Prime Minister will meet with Dáithí and his family to thank them for their tireless campaigning for ‘Dáithí’s Law’, which implemented an ‘opt-out’ organ donation system, bringing Northern Ireland in line with the rest of the UK.

Their efforts prompted the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland’s decision to bring forward amendments to the Executive Formation Bill earlier this year, which allowed Dáithí’s Law to become a reality and save lives across Northern Ireland.

In a letter to Dáithí, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said:

“Every day I write a letter to thank someone for doing something remarkable for others. Today is very special, because I get to thank you.

“The bravery and determination you have shown in campaigning to change the law on organ donation in Northern Ireland is truly inspiring.

“With Dáithí’s Law you are helping others in your situation to get the life-changing help they need. It is a huge achievement.

“In your father’s words: “exceptional things happen for exceptional people.” I agree with him that you are truly exceptional and so I am delighted to recognise your courage by naming you as the UK’s 2029th Point of Light.

“The whole country is with you as you continue your treatment.”

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 11 April 2023.

The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak marks the 25-year anniversary of the signing of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement.

Today we reflect on the beginning of a new chapter in the people of Northern Ireland’s history, with the commemoration of the signing of the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement 25 years ago.

This is an Agreement born of partnership between the British and Irish Governments and, as we will see from President Biden’s visit this week, it continues to enjoy huge international support from our closest allies. But most importantly, it is based on compromise in Northern Ireland itself.

As we look forward, we will celebrate those who took difficult decisions, accepted compromise, and showed leadership – showing bravery, perseverance, and political imagination.

We commemorate those who are no longer with us and the many who lost their lives by trying to prevent violence and protect the innocent. And we give thanks to them as we reflect on the new generations that have grown up and continue to grow in a world in which peace and prosperity has prevailed.

While it is time to reflect on the solid progress we have made together, we must also recommit to redoubling our efforts on the promise made in 1998 and the agreements that followed.

One of economic opportunity, prosperity, and stability – it is a promise we must continue to fulfil. So must get on with the business of governance.

My mission, duty and responsibility as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom is to deliver for people in Northern Ireland.

We stand ready to work with our partners in the Irish Government and the local parties to ensure that the institutions are up and running again as soon as possible.

There is work to be done.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 11 April 2023.

The King has been pleased to appoint Mr Alexander Scott, DL, as His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of the County of Cumbria.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 9 April 2023.

The Prime Minister will welcome President Biden to Belfast this week.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 4 April 2023.

The King has been pleased to appoint Mrs Amanda Parker, DL, as His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for the County of Lancashire on the retirement of The Lord Shuttleworth, KG, KCVO, on 2nd August 2023.

Background

Amanda Parker has devoted much of her life to voluntary service while also helping to run the commercial aspects of her family estate and founding two IT and AV businesses. She has served as a magistrate for almost two decades; supported young people through sport, especially hockey; and is Chair of National Crimebeat, a youth crime prevention charity. She is also a patron or trustee of Whalley Educational Foundation, which provides community space for education; Nightsafe, a charity for young homeless people in Blackburn; Saheliyaan, an organisation supporting female abuse victims from (mostly) South Asia in Chorley; and Active Lancashire, which seeks to improve lifestyles and health outcomes. She was High Sheriff in 2015-16.

Mrs Parker lives near Clitheroe with her husband, Robert. They have two adult children.

The press release issued by 10 Downing Street on 3 April 2023.

These plans will help deliver on the Prime Minister’s promise to grow the economy across Wales.