Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 June 2024.

FCDO statement in response to dangerous actions taken by Chinese Coast Guard and Maritime Militia vessels against the Philippines near Second Thomas Shoal.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development spokesperson said:

The UK strongly condemns the dangerous actions taken by Chinese Coast Guard and Maritime Militia vessels against the Philippines near Second Thomas Shoal.

China’s disregard for international law amidst reports of unlawful conduct in the boarding and towing of Philippine government vessels is extremely concerning.

Chinese actions interfered with navigational freedoms, caused damage to Philippine vessels and injury to personnel. These actions are escalating regional tensions and causing unnecessary risk of miscalculation.

We reiterate our support for UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and call on both sides to adhere to the legally binding findings of the Tribunal in the South China Sea Arbitration.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 June 2024.

The UK government and European Commission gave a joint statement following the 14th meeting of the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights.

Joint statement from the UK government and European Commission following the 14th meeting of the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights on 6 June 2024:

The 14th meeting of the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights was held on 6 June 2024 in Brussels, co-chaired by officials from the European Commission and the UK government. Representatives from EU member states were also in attendance.

The EU and the UK discussed the implementation and application of the Citizens’ Rights part of the Withdrawal Agreement, with a focus on the non-permanent and the permanent right of residence. The meeting also allowed both sides to take stock of outstanding issues, as well as progress made.

The EU focused on 2 issues, the implementation the UK High Court’s ruling in relation to the case brought by the Independent Monitoring Authority concerning residence status under the UK’s EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) and legal clarity for EU citizens, who hold a residence status under the EUSS, as to whether their rights are guaranteed by the Withdrawal Agreement or by domestic law. The EU also raised travel incidents affecting EU citizens who are Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries.

The UK raised the evidencing of permanent residence rights by Withdrawal Agreement beneficiaries in member states, the provision of appointments to acquire residence cards and guidance on evidence needed. The UK also raised family reunification rights and the provision of free visas for joining family members.

The EU and the UK also discussed the EU’s EES (Entry/Exit System), ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) and the UK’s ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation), from the perspective of the Withdrawal Agreement and their implications for beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement.

A part of the meeting was dedicated to engagement with external representatives from civil society organisations, representing EU citizens living in the UK and UK nationals living in the EU.

The EU and the UK recalled the commitment expressed by the 2 parties at the level of the Joint Committee to ensure the full implementation of the Withdrawal Agreement. The co-chairs agreed to meet again in the autumn.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 June 2024.

National Statement on Sudan, delivered by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

Mr President,

For over a year, the world has borne witness to harrowing atrocities committed against the people of Sudan. Credible evidence suggests indiscriminate shelling by the Sudanese Armed Forces and widespread sexual and gender-based violence and ethnically targeted killings by the Rapid Support Forces has led to the largest displacement crisis in the world.

Despite warnings of millions of excess deaths from famine, the warring parties continue their selfish agendas of seeking military victory, with little or no regard for upholding basic human rights of the Sudanese people.

I’d like to thank the Fact-Finding Mission for their update today. While we regret that its start-up has been delayed by the ongoing UN liquidity crisis, the continued need for its independent scrutiny is absolutely clear.

We therefore welcome resolution 578 by the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights calling on the warring parties and all neighbouring States to cooperate fully with the Fact-Finding Mission, including granting it access.

Mr President,

We reiterate our calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities across Sudan, including urgent de-escalation in El Fasher in line with Security Council resolution 2736, and a return to the negotiating table. Accountability must go hand in hand with finding a political solution to this horrific war and pulling Sudan out of its decades-long cycle of impunity.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 June 2024.

Interactive Dialogue, the High Commissioner’s Report on Myanmar, delivered by the UK’s Human Rights Ambassador, Rita French.

Thank you, High Commissioner, for your report.

The conflict across Myanmar is escalating alarmingly, inflicting huge suffering on civilians and driving a devastating human rights and humanitarian crisis. Across Rakhine State, all communities are being targeted by ongoing airstrikes and shelling. The spread of disinformation is stoking intercommunal conflict and dividing communities. Recent attacks in Buthidaung and in Byain Phyu have fuelled further displacement and caused the loss of innocent lives.

The suffering of Rakhine communities, including the Rohingya, has been compounded by restrictions on humanitarian access. Food and medical supplies are urgently needed. The international community must consider all options for reaching those in Rakhine.

Since 2017, the UK has provided over £45 million to the Rohingya and other Muslim minorities in Myanmar, and £391 million to Rohingya living in camps in Bangladesh. The current conditions in Rakhine State are not conducive to returns, which must be voluntary, safe and dignified.

Accountability is crucial. We recall the provisional measures made by the International Court of Justice, and continue to support evidence gathering, including by the International Impartial and Independent Mechanism.

High Commissioner,

What more can the Council do to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those in Rakhine?

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 June 2024.

The UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN in Geneva, Simon Manley, gave a statement during Iceland’s WTO Trade Policy Review (TPR).

Thank you very much Chair, and welcome to your first TPR, and an equally warm welcome to the delegation from Reykjavík led by the Director General. Great to have you all here. And let me also express our thanks to the WTO Secretariat for their report, to Iceland for its report and of course to Ambassador Kelly for her ever insightful comments.

Let me start by thanking Iceland for the significant preparations and work which I know has gone into this Review, as any other Review. As you said DG, that’s all the more challenging for a smaller country like yours but small is absolutely beautiful on this occasion, so thank you for all your work on that. And since I know you’re all going to be celebrating your 80th anniversary of independence on Monday, I hope that you’ll be able to go away from here and have a big party on Monday to celebrate all the hard work that has gone into this.

The work that you’ve done, the work the Secretariat has done gives us a really good basis for the discussion today. And I think it’s really impressive, both to hear from you and to read the reports, to hear about the robust economic growth post-pandemic, to hear what you’ve been doing across so many fields of economic activity, whether it be on gender equality or on sustainability. Your growth records are incredibly impressive. As you’ve set out: over 5% in 2021, almost 9% in 2022. And that is obviously, in large part, due to strong export-led growth, led by services, particularly tourism, aluminium production, fisheries. And that is of course the product of that commitment to free and fair trade which you set out at the start. Similarly, your really strong renewable energies market accounting for over 90% of your energy consumption, helping you to maintain a strong growth rate, but also giving you protection during a period of geopolitical tension and high global energy prices. Similarly, a really impressive medium-term fiscal strategy focusing, as you know, on expenditure restraint, revenue generation and the challenges of inflation.

So let me then echo what Ambassador Kelly said and what you referred to, both in terms of the ranking, the first place ranking in the World Economic Forum Global Gender Pay Gap Report, highest participation in the labour market amongst the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. It’s an extraordinary record. And it’s an extraordinary record of women’s economic empowerment. So let me thank you for your responses to several of the questions that we have posed before this Review, trying to learn to be honest from your inspiring example on gender equality. And of course it’s not just about what you’ve done nationally, as both you and Ambassador Kelly have said, it’s also about what you’ve done multilaterally, including in this house, building on the Buenos Aires Declaration.

Back last year I had the unenviable task of following in the very large and agile footsteps of Ambassador Gunnarsson, when I succeeded him as one of the co-chairs of our Informal Working Group on Trade and Gender here in the WTO, alongside my very distinguished colleagues from El Salvador and Cabo Verde. You may not be co-chairing anymore, but you continue to make a really important contribution to the work of that Informal Working Group and it’s great, but I have to say I would expect nothing less from a country which has such a proud history of female leadership and women’s economic empowerment.

I’d also like to thank you for the responses to our other advanced written questions, particularly in response to our question on Tariff Rate Quota (TRQ) Allocations, very insightful. Our producers value further understanding Iceland’s TRQ allocation system and we would be grateful for any steps that Iceland would be willing to take to create a more transparent system, including updating notifications under Article 7.3 and 8.2 of the Agreement on Import Licencing Procedures.

Chair, as well as learning from Iceland, we welcome this Trade Policy Review as an opportunity to reflect upon the closeness of our bilateral relationship. So, we’d like to thank Iceland for its close cooperation in the implementation of our comprehensive FTA which you referred to, DG, which will be presented very soon at the Committee on Regional Trade Agreements. Since it has come into effect, we have had several opportunities to deepen that cooperation. You very kindly hosted the second annual Joint Committee last year, and we looked for further ways to realise the full benefits of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for our businesses and our consumers. On the implementation of the Chapter on Recognition of Professional Qualifications, it has allowed our professionals to continue to access a smooth and transparent system for qualification recognition. At our recent meeting on Services, Investment and Digital just last month, we made some further progress on those key issues.

Of course, it’s not just about the FTA. We signed back in 2020 a Joint Vision which strengthens our relationship across a whole series of areas, not just trade and investment, but also fisheries; research and innovation; regional and international cooperation; defence and security; climate change and the Arctic; and people-to-people links.  We’ve also concluded several agreements since the last Trade Policy Review, a Youth Mobility Scheme, a Social Security Coordination agreement, Arctic Science Memorandum of Understanding. And, of course, as NATO allies, we share a common outlook on foreign and security policy for a common cooperation against the security threats we face and, of course, you have joined our UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force back three years ago.

Inevitably, given those close links, we work really closely together in this organisation, as in many others. But we are, as Ambassador Kelly hinted, particularly grateful and particularly recognise the role that you have played within the Fisheries negotiations.  A true friend of fish. And that’s not just about the positive example you have set nationally, as you set out, DG, in terms of the lack of subsidies, the very robust fisheries management systems that you have put in place for sustainable fisheries. It’s also about the crucial role that you played in the negotiations here in this house. And we look forward to working closely with Ambassador Gunnarsson in the next few weeks so that we can try and bring home the agreement that we so narrowly failed to agree back in Abu Dhabi. I really hope we can do that by the time of the General Council, Chair, next month. And I don’t want to go ‘fishing’ for compliments to the Ambassador, but truly ‘any-fin’ is possible under his guidance, and I really hope he won’t feel ‘koi’ with my heartfelt praise and thanks. So, let’s do the right thing and deliver, not only for Ambassador Gunnarsson, but because it is the right thing for our oceans and for the fishing communities that depend upon them.

Let me just conclude, Chair, by thanking Iceland for its preparations for this Review, for its cooperation with what is after all such an important transparency exercise in this organisation, and I wish all the delegation the best for their upcoming Independence Day celebrations. Skal!

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 June 2024.

Joint statement by the spokespeople for the Foreign Ministries of France, Germany and the United Kingdom on the Iranian nuclear programme.

Statement by the governments of France, Germany and the United Kingdom:

We, the governments of France, Germany and the United Kingdom, condemn Iran’s latest steps, as reported by the IAEA, to further expand its nuclear programme.

Iran has taken further steps in hollowing out the JCPoA, by operating dozens of additional advanced centrifuges at the Natanz enrichment site as well as announcing it will install thousands more centrifuges at both its Fordow and Natanz sites. These steps will further increase Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile and enrichment capacity, which already significantly exceed JCPoA limits. This decision is a further escalation of Iran’s nuclear programme, which carries significant proliferation risks. Iran’s decision to substantially increase its production capacity at the underground Fordow facility is especially concerning.

Presenting such steps as a reaction to the IAEA Board of Governors’ adoption of a resolution calling for Iran’s long overdue cooperation on safeguards is not acceptable. Iran is legally obliged under the Non-Proliferation Treaty to fully implement its safeguards agreement, which is separate to the JCPoA.

We remain committed to a diplomatic solution preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 June 2024.

The King’s Birthday Honours List recognises people who have given exceptional service to the UK abroad and internationally.

• Campaigner Bill Browder is knighted for his contribution to human rights and anti-corruption
• Keith Palmer and Andrew Steer are knighted for exceptional contributions to international development
• several awards recognise British nationals for outstanding voluntary and charitable work overseas

Eighty-four people have received awards for their exceptional service to the UK overseas or internationally in His Majesty The King’s Birthday Honours List, including for contributions to British foreign policy and international development, as well as voluntary and charitable work.

Bill Browder, Chief Executive Officer of Hermitage Capital Management, and Head of the Global Magnitsky Justice Campaign is appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George (KCMG) in recognition of his significant and sustained contribution to human rights and anti-corruption. Following the mistreatment and death of Mr Browder’s colleague, Sergei Magnitsky, in Russia in 2009, Mr Browder campaigned for the US Congress to introduce the Magnitsky Act, which allowed them to impose sanctions on Russians involved in human rights violations. Thanks to his work, the EU, the UK, Canada and Australia all have similar legislation that allows them to impose targeted sanctions on individuals and entities involved in serious corruption or human rights violations or abuses.

Also recognised with knighthoods are 2 significant figures who have made major long-term contributions in the field of international development. Dr Andrew Steer, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bezos Earth Fund, has been recognised for his leadership in sustainable development, spanning decades of service to the UK and internationally in multiple senior roles including with the World Bank and the World Resources Institute. Keith Palmer, the founder of AgDevCo, is recognised for his work on economic development in the poorest parts of the world, but particularly in Africa over a number of years.

Further information about recipients receiving knighthood level awards on the Overseas and International List can be found alongside the lists published on GOV.UK.

Sir Philip Barton, Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service, said:

At a time of intense global challenge, I am as ever deeply impressed by the exceptional work being done by individuals around the world.

I congratulate the recipients of His Majesty’s Birthday Honours this year and thank them for their dedication and service. They are a shining example of the impact the UK can have internationally.

The International and Overseas Birthday Honours list also recognises several other contributions, including awards to:

Professor Melita Gordon

Professor Melita Gordon is recognised for her outstanding contribution as an expert in the speciality of Gastroenterology and General Medicine, who has made ground-breaking advancements with a profound impact on global health, particularly in Africa. Her career spans over 25 years, during which she has led a multidisciplinary programme in Malawi, focused on understanding Invasive Salmonella Disease. Her pioneering research has accelerated the development and deployment of critical salmonella vaccines in Africa, protecting millions of vulnerable children.

Professor Gordon’s commitment to capacity building in Africa is remarkable, particularly in training scientists and clinicians. She has initiated and led several equitable partnerships, including an international gastrointestinal endoscopy network creating sustainable training-centres in Africa, supported by UK trust hospitals and professional organisations. This has saved lives through the implementation of therapeutic interventions.

On learning of her award, Professor Melita Gordon said:

I am both humbled and delighted to learn of this honour. The theme of Companionship feels very fitting – I am grateful for the many students, colleagues, and team-members, and for my family, who have been alongside as my companions in this work.

Jeremy Green

Jeremy Green is recognised for his outstanding contribution in 2 different areas: his impact in the UK life sciences sector; and his sustained service in support of the King’s Trust. Mr Green founded Redmile Group in 2007 which has grown into one of the largest life science investment firms in the world. While Mr Green’s outlook is global, Redmile is a significant investor in the UK sector, including leading financing rounds for some of the UK’s most impactful life sciences companies. He has also served on multiple taskforces focused on fostering growth of the life science sector and ensuring the UK becomes a hub for investment.  Mr Green has also served The King’s Trust for over 2 decades and remains heavily engaged as a Trustee of King’s Trust Group and the Chair of the King’s Trust USA, helping to lead its programme and fundraising work.

On learning of his award, Jeremy Green said:

It is a privilege to work with both the scientists and entrepreneurs doing vital work in the life science sector and our team at the King’s Trust who ensure young people from around the world have a chance to succeed. An honour such as this is really recognition of their work, and I am grateful to be part of both communities.

Dr Simon Batchelor

Dr Simon Batchelor, Director, Gamos Ltd, is recognised for his exceptional contribution to international development and innovation. ​​Over 4 decades, Dr Batchelor’s imaginative, often out-of-the-box thinking, has driven the development of transformative new ways to tackle some of the key challenges facing poor people in developing countries.​ Through his research, policy influence and community action, Dr Batchelor has been the driving force behind multiple transformations that have changed the prospects of some of the most vulnerable people.  This has included leading innovations to provide low-cost electric cooking, develop and use mobile money to drive economic growth, and the scale up of low-cost renewable energy, ensuring clean energy access to many.

On learning of his award, Dr Simon Batchelor said:

I am grateful that this award honours the small contributions that I have made, alongside various colleagues, to addressing the enduring problem of climate change and poverty injustice. I especially appreciate that it acknowledges the need for forward-thinking and creativity if we are to achieve a just energy transition to net zero.

Orysia Lutsevych

​​Orysia Lutsevych is recognised for her exceptional contribution to helping policy makers understand the evolving situation in Ukraine since Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and the start of the conflict in the Donbas, as well as her work in establishing the Chatham House Ukraine Forum. The Ukraine Forum is a unique platform providing insight on internal Ukrainian dynamics in key policy areas.  The Forum brings together politicians, practitioners, civil society leaders, academics and journalists to examine the political situation in Ukraine and has played a key role in supporting the response of the UK and the wider international community to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Orysia’s leadership has ensured the Ukraine Forum has had a significant impact with a systematic and energetic programme of research, round tables, talks and an innovative library of online digital material.

On learning of her award, Orysia Lutsevych said:

It is an honour to have the opportunity to bring better understanding of Ukraine to the UK and global audiences. I want to express my gratitude to Chatham House for making such an initiative possible.

Anna Cavell

Anna Cavell worked with tenacity and persistence for more than 2 years, unpaid and risking her own safety, to bring to justice perpetrators of conflict related sexual violence in the South Sudanese civil war of 2016. Her moral courage and refusal to give up in the face of resistance from dangerous vested interests and a sceptical international community, ensured that government soldiers were held accountable for their crimes. Her work set a precedent which continues to help address impunity for sexual violence committed by the South Sudanese armed forces. Her ongoing investment in South Sudan, philanthropy and entrepreneurial drive has had a significant impact on the people of South Sudan and brought great credit to the UK. ​

On learning of her award, Anna Cavell said:

Few believed the South Sudanese government would hold a credible trial, but an unlikely partnership between them and the survivors of the attack made it possible.  I’m happy to receive this award in honour of all the people who must remain anonymous.

Peter and Stephen Fleming

Peter and Stephen Fleming, Co-Founders of Kick4Life in Lesotho, are recognised for their outstanding contribution to social development and sport in Lesotho. The pair founded the charity in 2005 having completed a 250-mile sponsored dribble across Malawi, before launching operations in Lesotho in 2007. Kick4Life has since reached over 250,000 children and young people, with an exceptional track record of delivering health education and life-skills training, supporting and empowering vulnerable girls to end violence and exploitation, and building pathways into education, training, and sporting careers. As a charity, a social enterprise and a football club, Kick4Life now employs 50 people, with Peter and Stephen leading a range of innovative, high impact initiatives which provide young people in Lesotho with opportunities to transform their lives and contribute to the development of their communities.

On learning of their awards, Peter and Stephen Fleming said:

It has been a privilege to dedicate ourselves to building and running an organisation using sport to transform lives in Lesotho. We are thrilled to receive this award and we would like to thank the many people who have made vital contributions towards the success and social impact of Kick4Life.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 June 2024.

The text of the following is a joint statement by the Governments of the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

We, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States, condemn in the strongest terms the recent detentions by the Houthis of United Nations, diplomatic, and non-governmental organization staff.

We reiterate and support UN Secretary-General António Guterres’ call for the immediate release of all United Nations staff held in Yemen by the Houthis.  We demand the immediate and unconditional release of all those detained and urge the Houthis to ensure the safety and security of humanitarian, diplomatic, and United Nations personnel.  These detentions represent an escalation by the Houthis, and jeopardize a sensitive peace process.  They are an affront to international peace and security.  All detainees should be released immediately.

We also reaffirm our strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen, and our commitment to stand by the people of Yemen.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 14 June 2024.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

My Russian colleague has asked for this debate in order to obscure a simple truth.

The situation we face today has one sole cause: President Putin’s illegal and unprovoked invasion. The problem is the presence of Russian weapons in Ukraine, not the reverse.

President Putin’s illegal war has caused misery to millions of Ukrainian citizens. In the last few months, he has intensified his campaign still further. He has increased Russia’s use of glide bombs against major cities, 3,500 in May alone – a step change in the threat to civilians. He has opened a new front against Kharkiv, which is still recovering from the 2022 invasion. And he is seeking to destroy Ukraine’s power sector, depriving families of heat, light and electricity, in the hope of coercing Ukrainians into giving up.

We heard last week from ASG Msuya that civilian casualties in Ukraine last month were the highest for a year. Much of this campaign is planned and delivered from Russian territory. Glide bombs hitting Ukrainian cities and missiles hitting power stations are launched from aircraft inside Russian airspace. Russia is mustering, equipping and commanding forces for the Kharkiv offensive from inside its borders.

President, Ukraine has every right to defend itself from these attacks, in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter. Ukraine striking military targets that are actively threatening its territory, infrastructure and civilian population is not ‘escalatory’, as Russia has claimed, but a reasonable step to protect itself. Every country in a similar situation would do the same.

We remain resolute in our commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, in line with the UN Charter. And we will continue to provide support for its self-defence.

President, tomorrow, dozens of world leaders will gather in Switzerland to express support for a lasting peace, in line with the UN Charter. Russia is straining every sinew to stop them from going. But they know that the Charter is the basis for global peace and security, and that we must uphold it in Ukraine.

If President Putin truly wants to protect his people, that is in his own hands.

He could end this war tomorrow if he stopped his aggression and withdrew his forces from Ukraine’s territory. Again, we urge him to do so.