Tag: Foreign Office

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

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

Thank you President, and I thank Director-General Grossi for his briefing. The Director-General’s 7 April report of drone strikes hitting the site of Zaporizhzhia was deeply concerning, as were reports from the IAEA team at the plant, of explosions and rifle fire on site and several rounds of outgoing artillery fire from nearby the plant.

Thankfully, the IAEA has since confirmed that the IAEA team on the ground were unharmed and there were no indications of damage to critical nuclear safety and security systems at the site. We thank the IAEA team for all of their efforts in monitoring the safety and security situation at the plant in extremely difficult circumstances.

This is, however, a stark reminder of the precarious safety and security situation at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, caused by Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine.

There have been eight complete losses of power at Zaporizhzhia since August 2022. IAEA experts have not had complete access to all areas important for nuclear security and safety. And Russia continues to keep military equipment and personnel at the site, including vehicles in the Turbine Halls and defensive installations on the reactor roofs.

Other sites have also been affected. The Neutron Source installation in Kharkiv lost power twice in April and March due to shelling. The South Ukraine Nuclear Power Plant also lost connection to power lines. And the IAEA team at Khmelnytskyy Nuclear Power Plant was forced to take shelter four times in March due to air raids, putting the operating staff there under immense pressure.

Colleagues, it is vital to reduce the risk of a nuclear incident at Zaporizhzhia and across Ukraine. The UK echoes the Director-General Grossi’s appeal to abstain from any action which could violate the five concrete principles for upholding safety at ZNPP that he set out at the UN Security Council last May. We also call on Russia to allow the IAEA experts full and complete access to all areas of the plant.

One country, however, has a far greater ability to improve the nuclear safety and security situation in Ukraine than any other. Russia can hand back Zaporizhzhia to the Ukrainian authorities, end its war and remove all its troops from Ukraine’s sovereign territory.

I thank you.

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

Stephen Kavanagh, the current Executive Director of Policing Services of INTERPOL, arrived in New Delhi today for high level meetings with the Indian government to discuss the future of international crime-fighting.

Mr. Kavanagh began his trip with a visit to India Gate, before holding bilateral meetings with senior Indian government representatives, including Director of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Praveen Sood. At the CBI headquarters, they exchanged views on tackling law enforcement challenges and increasing cooperation between countries.

They spoke about the need for deeper international co-operation to counter terrorism, as well as to combat drug smugglers and technology enabled crime, including the safe use of artificial intelligence.

On his visit to India, Stephen Kavanagh said:

India is a critical partner for INTERPOL, whose agencies have been at the forefront in tackling multi-dimensional criminal activities at the global level.

Should I be elected as the Secretary General of INTERPOL, I would work with members to drive an increase in data and analysis, delivering operational successes against drugs, cyber and crimes against wildlife and the environment. My vision for INTERPOL is underpinned by principles that I believe in strongly: impact through the delivery of tangible operational outcomes, innovation to outsmart criminality, working inclusively and openly for all our member countries, and serving always with integrity, humility, and professionalism.

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

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council briefing on Iran’s attack against Israel, 14 April 2024.

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

The UK announced sanctions on businesses which support the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, the military groups behind the conflict in Sudan.

• sanctions imposed by the UK on businesses which support activity of the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces, the military groups behind the conflict in Sudan
• new sanctions follow the UK’s commitment to nearly double aid for Sudan as the humanitarian crisis deepens
• the UK again calls on the warring parties to commit to a lasting ceasefire and lift restrictions which are preventing aid reaching those who need it the most

A year after the outbreak of conflict in Sudan, the UK has today (15 April) imposed new sanctions on businesses linked with financing the warring parties.

Strict measures will impose an asset freeze on companies linked to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and will limit their financial freedom.

These sanctions send a clear signal to the warring parties that they must end fighting and meaningfully engage in a peace process.

The conflict in Sudan has caused more than 8.6 million people to flee their homes, with over 6.6 million displaced within Sudan itself – the world’s worst displacement crisis. 25 million people in Sudan need assistance, and the country is on the verge of a catastrophic hunger crisis.  The UN has formally warned of the risk of famine this year, with 18 million currently facing hunger.

Last month, the UK committed a £89 million package of support for Sudan, predominately for humanitarian aid. This includes funding to UNICEF which will provide emergency and life-saving food assistance to support people, particularly those in hard-to reach areas in Sudan, including nutrition, water and hygiene services for 500,000 children under five.  It will also support survivors of gender-based violence.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

This senseless and brutal war has devastated lives. A year on since the outbreak of fighting, we continue to see appalling atrocities against civilians, unacceptable restrictions on humanitarian access and an utter disregard for civilian life.

The businesses that support the warring parties must be held to account, alongside those responsible for human rights abuses.  The world must not forget about Sudan. We urgently need to end the violence.

Last month, Deputy Foreign Secretary Andrew Mitchell visited Chad where he announced £89 million of funding to Sudan, including support to UNICEF which will provide emergency and life-saving food assistance.

Today, Lord Benyon took part in an International Humanitarian Conference for Sudan, where he reaffirmed the UK’s near-doubling of Official Development Assistance (ODA) for Sudan to £89 million this financial year.

The sanctions announced today are:

• Alkhaleej Bank, a financial institution which has been key to the RSF financing its operations and to it controlling key elements of the Sudanese economy
• Al-Fakher Advanced Works, a holding company used by the RSF to export gold. The proceeds of these sales are used to purchase weapons to allow the RSF to continue fighting
• Red Rock Mining, a mining and exploration company which is a subsidiary of Sudan Master Technology, which the UK has already designated and provides funds to the SAF. It is also closely linked to Defence Industries System, the economic and manufacturing arm of the SAF, which we designated last July

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

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen.

Thank you, President, and let me start by thanking Special Envoy Grundberg and Director Wosornu for your briefings. And I am also grateful to Ms. Shaki for highlighting the connections between climate, peace and security in Yemen as well as the stark humanitarian situation. As you’ve said, and we’ve heard, Yemen faces stark environmental challenges on top of the ongoing conflict and addressing these issues now, and as part of any discussions for peace, will be critical to Yemen’s future sustainability.

We also share Director Wosornu’s, and Ms. Shaki’s, concerns about the humanitarian situation in Yemen, and in particular, the access constraints preventing women aid workers from delivering vital assistance. We reiterate our call for all parties to facilitate unhindered access for humanitarian workers and welcome OCHA’s proposals for adapted measures, as Ms Wosornu has just outlined.

The UK has provided over $1.2 billion since the crisis started. We gave $110 million in humanitarian funding last year and we expect to increase our contribution this year.

We also continue to support fully the ongoing efforts, of the Special Envoy, to progress a roadmap towards UN-led Yemeni-Yemeni dialogue. As we’ve said before, an inclusive political settlement is the only way to bring sustainable peace and long-term stability to Yemen and address the worsening humanitarian crisis.

President, we unequivocally condemn the Iranian strikes against Israel over the weekend, which have done nothing to advance prospects for peace in Gaza. The UK has long been clear about Iran’s unacceptable role in destabilising the region, including their role in supporting the Houthis in Yemen. We understand the Houthis contributed to this latest attack. Their reckless actions continue to risk seriously undermining efforts to bring peace to the Yemeni people.

The Houthis continue to risk further escalation with their ongoing attacks against shipping in the Red Sea. This Council has been clear in its adoption of UNSCR 2722 on 10 January that we condemn Houthi attacks. They threaten innocent lives, endanger aid delivery to Yemen and the region.

We also reaffirm our condemnation of the attack on a home in Rada last month by the Houthis. This attack led to a tragic loss of life and injury and we express our deepest condolences to the families of those killed and injured.

Furthermore, the decision to issue counterfeit currency in Yemen threatens to destabilise the banking sector and deepen division in the country’s already fragile economy.

Finally, President, we call on the Houthis to prioritise the interests of the Yemeni people, to engage with UN efforts to resolve economic fragmentation and to cease provocations in order to preserve space for an intra-Yemeni peace process. In short, we call on the Houthis to stop attacks and return to the peace talks.

Thank you, President.

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

Mr Roderick Drummond has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Tunisia in succession to Ms Helen Winterton who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.  Mr Drummond will take up his appointment during September 2024.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Full name: Roderick Ian Drummond

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

The Minister of State for the Middle East honours the many Kurdish people in Iraq killed and injured during Saddam Hussein’s brutal military campaign.

On the 36th anniversary, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, said:

On this sombre day, we remember the men, women and children who were victims of Saddam Hussein’s inhumane, coordinated campaign against Kurdish and other minority groups in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq between 1986 and 1989.

The Anfal Campaign saw appalling acts committed, from the forcible displacement, murder, and maiming of 50,000-100,000 individuals to destroying 4,000 Kurdish villages.

On 16 March 2024, our staff at the British Consulate General in Erbil visited Halabja to pay their respects to the victims massacred during the 1988 Chemical Attack – Saddam Hussein’s most infamous use of chemical weapons against the Kurdish people.

Today we honour the memory of all those who were killed in this campaign, and my thoughts and prayers are with all their loved ones and survivors who suffer day-in day-out from this tragedy.

The UK remains committed in its support for the peace, stability and prosperity of the people of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

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

The Chargé d’Affaires of the Iranian Embassy in London was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office today, 14 April 2024.

Today, on instruction from the Foreign Secretary, the Chargé d’Affaires of the Iranian Embassy in London was summoned to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) spokesperson said:

The Foreign Secretary summoned the Chargé d’Affaires of the Iranian Embassy today.

The UK condemns in the strongest terms Iran’s direct and unprecedented attack against Israel, as well as their violation of Jordan and Iraq’s airspace. At a time of great tension in the Middle East, this was a profoundly dangerous and unnecessary escalation by Iran.

The UK calls for the immediate and unconditional release of the civilian ship ‘MSC Aries’ and its crew, which was seized by Iranian armed forces yesterday in international waters.

The Iranian authorities must take meaningful and immediate action to de-escalate and halt its reckless and unlawful behaviour.

The UK will continue to stand up for Israel’s security and the security of all our regional partners, including Jordan and Iraq. We will also continue to work with our international partners to protect and uphold stability in the region.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 April 2024.

Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Thomas Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

Russia requested this meeting to talk, yet again, about weapons proliferation to Ukraine. So let’s be clear about who is doing what, and who is breaking international law and undermining the UN Charter.

President, as we are all aware, Russia has repeatedly violated resolutions of this Council by procuring weapons from North Korea and Iran to use in Ukraine.

Russia has bought several dozen ballistic missiles and millions of artillery shells from North Korea, which have been used in attacks on population centres across Ukraine. Russia has procured thousands of Iranian Shahed drones and has used them in a campaign against Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure, which is intended to beat Ukraine into submission by depriving its civilians of power and heat.

Of course, Russia tries to hide its behaviour by vetoing the UN Panel of Experts, which has provided scrutiny of North Korea’s attempts to evade sanctions and advance its weapons programme. As many of us said in the General Assembly yesterday, this veto undermined the global non-proliferation architecture, as well as this Security Council. Russia does not listen to this Council, nor to the General Assembly. So instead, I urge North Korea to stop supporting Russia’s unprovoked, neo-imperial war of aggression against another sovereign state.

President, Russia does not care about arms control. As well as weapons from North Korea and Iran, it has used Kinzhal hypersonic cruise missiles, dual-capable ballistic missiles, cluster munitions, landmines, and countless more weapons from its arsenal.

While Russia might be stripping kitchenware to make its missiles, they nonetheless inflict suffering on civilians across Ukraine.

Over 40% of Ukraine’s electricity infrastructure has been destroyed, and the ICC has issued new indictments against Russian military leaders for the campaign of strikes against numerous electric power plants and substations in Ukraine.

President, what Russia wants is complete freedom to intimidate, to coerce and to kill the people of Ukraine. We are talking here about unchecked aggression.

This Council was created because the world learnt the lessons from the first half of the 20th century; that countries cannot be allowed to invade their neighbours and subjugate their people.

In that same spirit, global support is helping Ukraine defend itself, by providing air defences to protect its cities and its people, and weapons to fight back against the Russian army; an army that has been responsible for summary executions, for torture, for rape, and the atrocities committed two years ago in Bucha.

President, any country that cares about the UN Charter, the sovereignty of states and sanctity of human life should support Ukraine.

The UK has given around $15 billion to date. The UK will remain by Ukraine’s side as it fights Russia’s aggression. We will continue to replenish Ukraine’s air defences and provide the weapons needed to defend its territory. We will do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to ensure that Ukraine wins.

Of course, Russia could stop this war tomorrow if it withdrew its forces from Ukrainian soil. Instead, it has begun another round of conscription; rounding up its young people and sending them to fight and die in a war of choice. Currently, around 1000 Russians are being killed or wounded in Ukraine every day. Russia has already suffered 350,000 casualties in Ukraine. This is a tragedy for Russia too.

President, the Russian delegation has told us countless lies about this war, but the truth is, today’s meeting is perhaps a new low. If I’ve heard correctly, we’ve heard today from Russia’s ambassador that Ukrainians are Nazis, acting under the cover of the Islamic State, whilst simultaneously headed by a democratically-elected Jewish president. Ambassador, that is quite the combination and, quite frankly, it is preposterous.

Thank you, President.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 12 April 2024.

Ms Victoria Harrison has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of Slovenia in succession to Mrs Tiffany Sadler who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.

Ms Harrison will take up her appointment during August 2024 and will be accompanied by her guide dog Otto.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Victoria Harrison