Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 June 2026.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Lebanon.

The United Kingdom joined in calling this meeting to condemn the severe escalation of Israeli military action in Lebanon over recent days.

This reckless and disproportionate escalation of Israeli military action has exacerbated an already devastating environment for Lebanese civilians and placed the Government of Lebanon under further strain. Civilians have been killed and over 1 million displaced, civilian homes and infrastructure destroyed, and the space for diplomacy eroded.

Further escalation on this scale is simply not proportionate and cannot set the conditions for lasting peace.

We reiterate that Hizballah, at the instigation of Iran, have dragged Lebanon into a war that its government and people do not want. We strongly condemn Lebanese Hizballah’s ongoing attacks against Israel. We also condemn recent comments by

Hizballah’s leadership that seek to destabilise the democratically elected Government of Lebanon within their own country. Hizballah does not speak or act for the people of Lebanon.

We are clear Hizballah must end attacks on Israel and disarm.  

UNICEF reported last week that 15 children were killed and 62 injured in Lebanon last week as a result of the conflict – that’s 11 children killed or injured every 24 hours. Healthcare workers are also facing death and injury as they carry out their duties.

  The escalation must end. We call upon all parties to uphold their obligations under international law. 

Israel’s legitimate concerns about the security of their northern communities will not be solved by military escalation. The talks convened by the US between the Governments of Israel and Lebanon are the only viable path towards a lasting political settlement and the disarmament of Hizballah.

We warmly welcomed these talks – and yet progress is being undermined by both Hizballah and Israel. All parties must implement a genuine and lasting cessation of hostilities to allow space for real diplomatic progress.  

We support the efforts of the Lebanese government to extend its authority throughout the country in line with UNSCR 1701, including through the strengthening of Lebanese state institutions and security forces, and the disarmament of Hizballah. We call for swift implementation. Escalation in Lebanon and across the Blue Line risks further destabilising Lebanon and undermining critical negotiations to achieve peace across the region.  

The UK will continue to support diplomatic efforts that deliver lasting peace and security for both Lebanon and Israel.

The press released issued by the Foreign Office on 1 June 2026.

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle will meet India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi to advance trading relationship already worth £48 billion.

• Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle will meet India’s Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal in New Delhi to advance trading relationship already worth £48 billion
• With the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz causing global economic shocks, the UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA) can unlock a timely boost for both economies
• FTA will slash 99% of UK tariffs and 90% of Indian tariffs, benefiting businesses in both countries from day one

Businesses and consumers across Britain and India are set to receive a timely boost in the face of global economic shocks, as the UK ramps up work this week to bring the UK-India Free Trade Agreement into force as soon as possible.

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle will arrive in New Delhi tomorrow (2 June) to meet Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal to discuss bringing the FTA into force as quickly as possible, a priority for both governments.

And as global conflicts including the continued blockade of the Strait of Hormuz are causing economic shocks across the world’s biggest economies, Peter Kyle sees advancing the UK’s vital economic partnership with India as a key priority, with significant mutual benefits.

The Trade Secretary’s visit during this time of rapid global change signals the UK’s determination to unlock the next phase of our modern economic partnership with India, so it can deliver growth for people in both countries. Bilateral trade is already worth £48 billion a year and the FTA will liberalise 99% of UK tariffs and 90% of Indian tariffs, supporting cheaper, quicker, and easier exports and trade between our markets.

The Trade Secretary will also meet with Indian and British industry leaders aiming to support businesses to prepare for the deal coming into force.

The UK-India FTA is the biggest and most economically significant bilateral trade deal the UK has agreed since leaving the European Union. It covers 30 chapters – including standalone chapters on gender, innovation, environment, and labour – making it one of the most comprehensive trade deals that India has ever signed.

The visit follows the Prime Minister’s trade mission to India late last year, where he and the Trade Secretary were joined in Mumbai by 125 of the UK’s most prominent CEOs, entrepreneurs and business leaders, unlocking significant opportunities for British business across numerous industries following the signature of the FTA.

Business and Trade Secretary Peter Kyle said:

From whisky to automotives, this landmark deal will unlock massive opportunities for businesses and consumers in the UK and India.

I’m here in New Delhi to progress implementing this win-win agreement, which is worth billions to our economies.

I look forward to working with Piyush Goyal to make sure everybody can start to feel the benefits as soon as possible.

The UK Government is committed to delivering the certainty and stability that businesses need to grow in tough times. The trade deals we have struck with partners around the world support businesses to export and grow, boost jobs and increase wages. In May, the UK became the first G7 country to agree a trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council. This marked the fifth agreement following major deals with India, the US, the EU and South Korea. 

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 May 2026.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Chargé d’Affaires to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

The UK supported Ukraine in calling for today’s meeting. 

Colleagues, last Friday, Russia asked the Council to meet following an alleged incident in occupied Luhansk, which UN briefers said they had not been able to verify because Russia refuses access to Ukrainian territory which it occupies.

 The very next day, Russia launched one of its largest attacks on Kyiv since the start of the full-scale invasion. 

These strikes caused widespread damage to civilian infrastructure, including residential buildings, schools, emergency service facilities, Ukrainian government buildings and cultural institutions. These are not just buildings – they sustain essential service and underpin communities; they are people’s homes.

 So far this month, Russian attacks have killed nearly 200 civilians and injured over 1,500 more. May is on track to see the most civilian casualties in Ukraine since the early days of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

This weekend also marked the third time Russia has deployed an Oreshnik missile – and the first time in Kyiv Oblast. Russia’s use of this nuclear-capable system in urban environments is brazen and reckless.

We are also deeply concerned by reports that diplomatic sites in Kyiv were struck, including UN premises and a residential complex housing the Albanian Ambassador. And Russia followed up its attack with threats to diplomats to leave the city, warning of another barrage.

Russia attempts to project strength through mass attacks, then comes to this chamber and plays the victim. But the truth is that Moscow’s escalating attacks against civilians betray its weakness.

Russia is desperate because it is going backwards on the battlefield. New intelligence shows that almost half a million Russian soldiers have been killed since the conflict began, while Ukraine still stands firm. Russia’s war is failing, so Moscow is resorting to escalation and intimidation.

Security Council members have been clear that we need peace. But such peace cannot be achieved while Russia continues its campaign against Ukraine’s people. Russia’s escalating attacks do nothing to bring us closer to a peaceful outcome – nor do they bring Russia any closer to achieving Putin’s war aims.

As the Secretary General said, an immediate comprehensive ceasefire is essential.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 May 2026.

The UK thanks Ambassador McGurk for his concise and focused report presentation, and underlines support for the Mission’s work on democratic processes and with non-majority communities.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

I would like to warmly welcome Ambassador McGurk – dear Gerard – back to the Permanent Council. Thank you for your concise and focused report and presentation this morning. We commend the OSCE Mission in Kosovo’s sustained and professional work during such a demanding reporting period.

Mr Chair, the Mission’s report rightly highlights the strain placed on Kosovo’s institutions by repeated electoral cycles and prolonged political uncertainty. We continue to urge Kosovo’s political parties to work together constructively, in the interests of all communities, to provide institutional stability, restore public confidence, and enable progress on priority reforms.

The United Kingdom welcomes the peaceful return of representative Kosovo‑Serb mayors to the northern municipalities following the October local elections. We encourage them to focus on practical governance, working constructively with central institutions, and responding to the needs of all their constituents. 

The United Kingdom strongly values the Mission’s work in support of democratic processes. The Mission’s technical assistance to election authorities continues to play a vital role in supporting free, fair and credible elections, particularly in a complex political environment. We also welcome the Mission’s wider efforts to strengthen the rule of law, protect community rights, and promote accountability across Kosovo.

Mr Chair, we commend the efforts of the EU Special Representative and international partners to support the implementation of Kosovo’s Law on Foreigners. It remains essential that this process is carried out gradually, transparently, and in close coordination with affected communities and the international community. Access to essential services, including healthcare and education, must not be disrupted. Dialogue and consultation remain key.

The UK remains concerned by the continued lack of normalisation between Kosovo and Serbia. Constructive engagement with the EU facilitated Dialogue, by both sides, and full implementation of all agreement is essential for regional stability and for improving the daily lives of all citizens. We also urge both parties to refrain from rhetoric and actions that undermine trust or escalate tensions.

Accountability also matters. Serbia must bring to justice those responsible for the both the Banjska attack and the attacks against Kosovo Police and KFOR personnel in Zvečan. There can be no impunity for such acts. Full cooperation with investigations is essential.

Finally, we underline the importance of the OSCE Mission’s work with non‑majority communities, including its engagement with institutions such as the Serbian Orthodox Church. The work of the Mission’s network of regional centres – often long-term, low-key and field‑based – remains essential to confidence‑building, early warning, and long‑term stability.

Mr Chair, the UK welcomes the agreement of the 2026 Unified Budget under Switzerland’s Chairpersonship, bringing to an end a prolonged period of financial uncertainty, and providing a more predictable basis for planning and delivery. The reduced financial envelope makes it all the more important that resources are prioritised effectively, and that field missions are enabled to focus on delivering impact against their core mandates. We look forward to further substantive discussions on this matter over the coming months.

In closing, I would like to again thank you, Gerard, for your leadership of the Mission at this critical time. The UK will continue to strongly support the OSCE Mission in Kosovo as it delivers its mandate under challenging circumstances. Its role remains indispensable.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

Published 28 May 2026

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 May 2026.

Ambassador Holland set out why Russia’s illegal war is failing: unsustainable casualties, minimal gains and mounting economic strain at home. Russia cannot outlast Ukraine’s partners. Russia needs to get serious about negotiations on a just and lasting peace.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

There are many reasons why Russia should get serious about negotiations on a just and lasting peace in Ukraine:  first and foremost, its war is illegal, unprovoked, and wrong; civilians continue to pay the highest price; and, the scale of destruction inflicted by Russia is beyond anything our continent has seen in 80 years. These facts alone should compel Russia to change course. But the Kremlin must also now realise that Russia cannot win this war and it is time to stop.

On the battlefield, Russia is exhausting its manpower at a rate it cannot sustain. Casualty levels remain staggeringly high, while the pool of volunteers continues to shrink. Russia is increasingly relying on coercion and compulsion, including the recruitment of third-country nationals.

Russia is paying this high price for minimal territorial gains. Its rate of advance has slowed markedly in 2026, despite casualties remaining high. This is not the trajectory of a state on the path to victory.

This is not to gloat. There are wider negative impacts that are a consequence of a frustrating campaign on the front line. When Russia cannot achieve decisive results on the battlefield, it intensifies attacks on civilians. And last weekend, it launched 600 drones at 90 missiles at Ukraine, primarily targeted at Kyiv. This was one of the largest air attacks on the capital since the full-scale invasion, and the largest missile attack on Ukraine since 2024. So far in May these attacks have killed nearly 200 civilians and injured over 1,500 more, meaning that tragically, May is on track for the highest number of civilian casualties since April 2022. A state confident of victory does not need to terrorise civilians. This behaviour betrays weakness, not strength.

That weakness is increasingly visible inside Russia. The war economy is under growing strain. Growth fell to 1% last year. The economy contracted by 0.3% in the first quarter of 2026, and Russia has cut its growth forecast for this year to just 0.4%. Oil and gas revenues fell by 24% in 2025 and remain down in 2026 compared to the same period last year. Ukrainian strikes have reportedly driven Russian refining capacity to its lowest point since 2009.

And these pressures are being passed directly to the Russian public through higher taxes, reduced social spending and tighter controls. The public frustration that arises from this is suppressed rather than addressed, which runs counter to OSCE commitments on freedoms.

Mr Chair, Russia cannot outlast Ukraine’s partners. Ukraine continues to adapt and innovate. Those who support it remain united and resolute. Our combined economic strength and defence capacity far exceeds Russia’s. Russia’s victory is not inevitable. On current trends, it is increasingly implausible. All the more reason then, for Russia to recognise this reality, agree to a full, unconditional ceasefire and engage seriously on a just and lasting peace. We urge them to do so, and doing so would save many lives.

The United Kingdom will continue to stand with Ukraine, support its right to self-defence, and work with partners to ensure that aggression fails. Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 May 2026.

Mr Stephen Lillie CMG has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Hellenic Republic in succession to Mr Matthew James Lodge, who will be moving on secondment to another Whitehall Department. Mr Lillie will take up his appointment during September 2026.

Curriculum Vitae

Full name: Stephen Lillie

Year	Role
2022 to 2025	FCDO, Director, Defence & International Security
2018 to 2022	Nicosia, British High Commissioner
2017 to 2018	Greek language training
2013 to 2017	FCO, Director, Asia-Pacific
2009 to 2013	Manila, Her Majesty’s Ambassador
2006 to 2009	FCO, Head of Far Eastern Department
2003 to 2006	New Delhi, Commercial & Economic Counsellor
1999 to 2003	Guangzhou, British Consul-General
1997 to 1999	FCO, China Hong Kong Department
1996 to 1997	FCO, European Union Department (Internal)
1992 to 1995	Beijing, Second later First Secretary
1989 to 1991	Chinese language training
1988 to 1989	FCO, Middle East Department
1988	Joined FCO

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 May 2026.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper to lead UK-convened international coalition to tackle global emergency of violence against women and girls.

• mirroring the UK Government mission to halve VAWG in a decade, the Coalition announced at the Global Partnerships Conference will see countries across the globe share expertise and scale up prevention work
• eight countries have signed up to this new Coalition, driven by the Foreign Secretary

Women and girls across the globe will be better protected from violence and abuse, as the UK spearheads a new international effort to drive progress, to be announced by the Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper today at the Global Partnerships Conference in London.  

The new coalition brings together eight countries to work together to prevent violence so that women and girls can live free from fear, no matter who or where they are. Member states will drive practical action to prevent domestic abuse and sexual violence, which affects 1 in every 3 women globally, as well as tackling online abuse, which is on the rise around the world.  

Founding members are the UK, South Africa, Brazil, Morocco, Spain, Jamaica, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Australia.  

As the world faces increasing conflict, the International Coalition will also look to strengthen global efforts to prevent sexual violence in conflict and other forms of violence in humanitarian crises.

Next year, the UK will convene a major summit on tackling violence against women and girls where countries can set out further commitments and report on progress.

The Government has already pledged the largest crackdown on violence against women and girls in British history, committing to halve these horrific crimes within a decade and introducing lifesaving policies like Raneem’s Law, which has seen domestic abuse specialists embedded in 999 control rooms.

The Foreign Secretary has exported her domestic experience into foreign policy, declaring women and girls a departmental priority at the FCDO and protecting central spending on tackling violence against women and girls in a challenging fiscal context.

Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper, said:

Violence against women and girls is a global emergency not just a national emergency. We are determined to work across borders to ensure women’s safety is a world wide priority. I visited the Sudanese border in February, and I heard girls speak of rape, abduction and abhorrent sexual violence. I will make sure their voices are heard and fight to end violence for every single one of them – and for the 1 in 3 women globally who will experience sexual or physical abuse in their lifetime.  

I’m delighted to launch this Coalition with countries around the world that share our ambition. Because from the UK, to Brazil, to South Africa and beyond, women deserve to live free from fear of violence. And because there can be no peace, security, or prosperity for any of us until they do.

Through the Coalition, countries will share expertise in tackling the issue and develop national action plans to scale up work to prevent violence, protect women and girls, and hold perpetrators to account. 

Yesterday, the Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper visited Lewisham Police Station, alongside the UK Safeguarding Minister Natalie Fleet and Spanish Secretary of State for International Cooperation. They spoke to Met police officers and saw demonstrations of their V100 programme – a pioneering digital risk assessment using counter-terrorism tactics to identify, target and manage the most dangerous VAWG offenders in London. 

Minister for Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls Natalie Fleet said:

Violence against women and girls is a global emergency and tackling this issue requires more than warm words.

To create a world where women and girls feel safe from harm, we must build a united, global front and I’m proud to stand alongside international partners today who committed to doing just that.

But we will not stop there. We will deploy the full power of the UK state to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.

The launch comes alongside the publication of the UK’s new International Strategic Framework on Women and Girls, which sets out how the UK will defend the rights of women and girls across the world, embedding this across diplomacy, trade, security, and development, using UK partnerships and resources to drive progress. 

The Framework outlines the UK’s increased ambition to ensure women and girls are placed at the heart of everything we do, and includes a commitment that at least 90% of FCDO bilateral Official Development Assistance (ODA) will have a focus on gender equality by 2030.

Notes to editors:  

• In 2024, the Foreign Secretary (in her previous role as Home Secretary) set out new measures set out to combat violence against women and girls – GOV.UK, including the introduction of Raneem’s Law which saw domestic abuse specialists embedded in 999 control rooms.
• Last year, the UK unveiled its national VAWG strategy, setting out how the UK will meet its ambition to halve VAWG in a decade – a commitment made by the Foreign Secretary (in her previous role as Home Secretary).
• In March, the Foreign Secretary made women and girls a departmental priority at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. She also announced that central spending on preventing Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict (PSVI) will be protected at 2025 to 2026 levels.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 May 2026.

Projects agreed between the UK and Poland on the basis of the Treaty signed by the 2 countries on 27 May 2026.

On 27 May 2026 the UK and Poland signed the Security and Defence Partnership Treaty. As part of our implementation of the Treaty, they agreed to deliver a range of priority projects. These projects span the breadth of the Treaty focusing on making the UK and Poland safer and stronger, demonstrating a step change in our ability to counter threats to our security, including not only closer collaboration on defence capability and military interoperability, but also bolstering our economic and energy security and securing our borders.

1. Developing together the weapons of the future

Building on a strong bilateral partnership in air defence and high-tech weapons, the UK and Poland will become joint European leaders on the manufacture and development of the next generation of missiles. The UK and Poland will work to jointly increase our capabilities, across air-to-air, ground-based air defence and land arenas.

2. Deepening our defence industrial co-operation

To complement our work on the development of technically advanced weapons, the UK and Poland will work together to strengthen ties between our defence industries, promoting defence education, training and workforce mobility to build shared expertise. This will also enhance coordination on defence procurement to support joint capability planning, improve NATO interoperability and build industrial resilience and support third‑country exports. UK and Polish defence industrial partners will expand large-calibre ammunition production capacity and capability, supported by government-enabled collaboration between industries to facilitate knowledge and technology transfer and strengthen supply chain resilience. 

3. Working together to strengthen Europe’s eastern flank against the threat from Russia

Through a Strategic Land Partnership, the UK and Poland will maximise the ability of UK and Polish Forward Land Forces to deliver a credible deterrent across Eastern Europe. Large-scale exercises will strengthen interoperability, focusing on counter-drone warfare, electronic warfare, and missile defence. By working together on the development of integrated doctrines we will ensure both nations remain ready to respond to the conflicts of the future.

4. Protecting our seas and collaborating on maritime security

Focusing on sea co-operation in the North Sea and Baltic Sea, this project will improve our analysis and monitoring of the security situation in our seas and help us to work together to safeguard vital lines of communication in the sea and further enhance operational agility and deterrence to protect people in the UK and Poland. The project also supports the modernisation of our capabilities through joint training for next‑generation frigate crews and cooperation on air defence missile procurement. We will continue to promote further co-operation and co-ordination between our Joint Maritime Security Centres to complement ongoing collaboration with other countries to ensure critical infrastructure in the North Sea and Baltic Sea is kept safe.

5. Protecting the UK and Poland from cyber attacks

The UK and Poland have both witnessed an increase in cyber-attacks from criminal and hostile state actors. We will work together on two fronts: on defensive cyber through our respective militaries, focusing on achieving mutual goals, protecting common interests, and responding effectively to the growing threats in the cyber domain. We will also work across civilian agencies sharing approaches on cyber deterrence, attributions of hostile activity and cyber sanctions and responses.

6. Co-ordination on sanctions policy

As a key part of providing an economic deterrence for those who threaten our mutual security, the UK and Poland are working to strengthen co-ordination on our sanctions implementation and enforcement. This includes embedding stronger joint working practices and deepening cooperation on sanctions in areas such as, in particular, Russian aggression against Ukraine, other overlapping EU and UK sanctions regimes, combatting the shadow fleet, promoting freedom of navigation and irregular migration sanctions.

7. Countering hybrid threats

The UK and Poland are facing increasing hybrid threats from states, especially Russia. A new comprehensive counter-Hybrid threats cooperation agreement will enable the UK and Poland to more proactively disrupt malign actions and support our common objective of more proactive disruption and raising the cost of action for Russia. A UK-Poland Counter-Hybrid Working Group will coordinate joint working to raise the costs for hostile states seeking to undermine our security through hybrid activity.

8. Countering foreign information manipulation and interference (FIMI)

The online space also provides scope for hostile states to propagate false information, but also to distort truthful information by taking it out of context and presenting it in a way that reinforces divisions that threaten democratic processes. The UK and Poland will lead efforts to protect democratic discourse and strengthen resilience against information warfare. This includes joint campaigns to expose and disrupt the networks manipulating our information spaces and co-ordinated efforts to build resilience in third countries through capacity-building.

9. Countering the malign use of drones by criminals and hostile state actors

The UK and Poland will create a task force to counter the growing threat posed by hostile drone use, particularly in light of technological advances and the lessons we have learnt from drone use in the Ukraine conflict. Led by relevant institutions, the task force will bring together civil agencies from the UK and Poland to share operational expertise, jointly develop detection and mitigation tools and accelerate deployment of novel technologies.

10. Joint action plan on irregular migration

We will implement a comprehensive Joint Action Plan to step up action against people smuggling and irregular migration. The Joint Action Plan will create a bilateral framework to:

• work collaboratively with European and regional partners to tackle the migrant smuggling networks, including their use of social media as a key enabler
• maximise intelligence sharing and enhance diplomatic efforts on irregular migration upstream
• exchange the latest techniques, making the most of new technologies, to monitor borders and deter irregular migration to the UK and Poland

11. Closer collaboration on science and tech

The UK and Poland Treaty will drive secure and resilient economic growth by deepening collaboration on key technologies, supporting research and development with dual-use applications and deepening our institutional relationships. Our science and technology cooperation will be foundational to the growing industries that support the economic security and defence of our two countries.

We will advance British-Polish cooperation across science and technology, including by establishing a dialogue on the geopolitics of digital technologies to strengthen alignment and inform our strategic approach. We will enhance collaboration across quantum research by identifying fields of work we are both working on and promoting joint funding opportunities to accelerate innovation. Acknowledging the growing importance of space for defence and resilience, we will also advance cooperation on space-related matters, including through ESA and engagement between our respective space agencies, while supporting the growth of our space sectors.

12. Taking action to protect health security in the UK and Poland

Recognising healthcare as a pillar of national security and the growing Poland-UK health partnership, both countries will focus their cooperation on three core areas:

Health dialogue: A new Poland-UK health dialogue will be established, covering topics such as healthcare planning and resilience; antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and conflict; chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) threats; medical evacuations; and the treatment and care of war-wounded persons.

Cyber security: Joint exchanges will facilitate the sharing of best practices in protecting health services from cyber attacks. This supports Poland and UK ambitions to secure critical infrastructure, improve resilience, and develop stronger partnerships with trusted allies.

Digital health (e-health): Visits and knowledge-sharing on telemedicine, data interoperability and digital inclusion will help modernise government services and improve patient access.

13. Joining forces to protect our energy security and accelerate the clean energy transition

It is clear that across the whole of Europe we face common challenges and opportunities in delivering clean energy transition whilst bolstering competitiveness strengthening energy security. In the context of today’s global energy crisis and rising geopolitical risk, closer UK–Poland cooperation on affordable, clean, and resilient energy is both timely and strategic, as the link between national security and energy security is clearer now more than ever.

As we face the second fossil fuel shock in less than five years, the UK and Poland recognise that a diverse, clean energy system is vital to lasting energy security. This package of activity aligns with both the UK and Poland’s priorities looking ahead to the long term.

The UK and Poland will bring together government and industry to collaborate on innovative new technologies such as hydrogen and carbon capture through shared policy expertise and study visits. We will also deepen cooperation in other areas, recognising the role of modern, flexible grids and energy storage in making both countries’ power systems more resilient to shocks and support renewable energy integration, as well as innovative opportunities to decarbonise heating our homes – one of the most difficult sectors to decarbonise.

14. Deepening links between our diplomatic services

In addition to our existing co-operation on the joint training of our diplomats, we propose to create an established system of mutual attachments in both countries to share policy knowledge and promote our mutual understanding of how our systems work. This reflects our ever-closer foreign policy relationship.