Tag: Foreign Office

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

2019 to 2023	Manama, His Majesty’s Ambassador to Bahrain
2016 to 2019	FCO, Director of Security for FCO/HMG overseas network
2013 to 2016	Suva, British High Commissioner to Fiji & Head of South Pacific Network. Also accredited to Kiribati, Tonga, Tuvalu, Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia
2009 to 2013	Riyadh, Deputy Head of Mission
2007 to 2008	Doha, Chargé d’Affaires
2004 to 2007	Damascus, Deputy Head of Mission
2002 to 2004	Amman, Deputy Head of Mission
1998 to 2002	UKRep Brussels, RELEX Counsellor
1996 to 1998	Johannesburg, Deputy Consul General/Trade Director
1992 to 1995	FCO, Head of Section West/Central Africa
1988 to 1992	Algiers, Second Secretary Political/Economic/Commercial
1986 to 1988	SOAS then University of Amman, Arabic Language Training
1985 to 1986	FCO, Desk Officer for Indonesia and Philippines
1985	Joined FCO

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

Date	Role
April 2023 onwards	Full-time language training in Slovene
2022 to 2023	FCDO, Deputy Director, Covid-19 Public Inquiry Unit
2022	FCDO, Deputy Director, Ukraine Crisis Response
2021 to 2022	FCDO, Deputy Director, Afghanistan Task Force
2019 to 2021	FCO (then FCDO), Deputy Director Inclusion and Diversity, Human Resources Directorate
2017 to 2019	FCO, Deputy Director, Parliamentary, Ministerial and Central Services Directorate
2016 to 2017	Ministry of Justice, Deputy Director, Transformation
2015 to 2016	FCO, Deputy Director, Prosperity Strategy, Europe Directorate
2014 to 2015	FCO, Deputy Director, Senior Management Promotions Review Project, Human Resources Directorate
2013 to 2014	FCO, Head, Arabian Peninsula and Iraq Department
2011 to 2013	FCO, Head, IT Strategy and Engagement Department
2007 to 2010	Sarajevo, Deputy Head of Mission
1997 to 2007	Various roles in the FCO and Home Office on Russia, southern Africa and immigration, and a posting as Second Secretary (Political/Press) in Helsinki.

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

A joint statement from the European Commission, Spain, UK and Gibraltar following talks today (12 April) in Brussels.

European Commission Executive Vice-President Maroš Šefčovič, Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs José Manuel Albares and UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron, together with the Chief Minister of Gibraltar Fabian Picardo, met in Brussels on Friday 12 April.

This was the first meeting in this format. Discussions took place in a constructive atmosphere, with significant progress achieved. General political lines have been agreed, including on airport, goods and mobility. Negotiations will continue over the coming weeks to conclude the UK-EU Agreement.

The participants agreed that this was a productive day. The meeting reaffirmed their shared commitment to concluding an UK-EU Agreement to secure the future prosperity of the whole region. This Agreement will bring confidence, legal certainty and stability to the lives and livelihoods of the people of the whole region, without prejudice to the parties’ legal positions.

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

Victoria Harrison will become UK ambassador to Slovenia in August 2024, accompanied by her guide dog Otto.

• Victoria Harrison will become the UK’s first totally blind ambassador, leading the UK government’s relationship with Slovenia from August 2024
• she will be the first ambassador to be accompanied by a guide dog, her 2-year-old labrador golden retriever cross ‘Otto’
• approximately 15% of the Foreign Office’s UK-based workforce has a declared disability, as the government department aims to become more representative of the UK

In a historic milestone for the UK Diplomatic Service, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) has appointed the first totally blind British ambassador, the most senior position within a British Embassy overseas.

Victoria Harrison, born in Dumfries, will become His Majesty’s Ambassador to Slovenia from August 2024, charged with leading the UK government’s work to promote UK interests in the country.

Victoria also becomes the first ambassador to serve in the position with a guide dog. She will be accompanied by 2-year-old labrador golden retriever cross Otto, matched to her by British charity Guide Dogs.

Following the appointment, Victoria Harrison said:

It’s an honour to represent the UK as our next ambassador to Slovenia. During my career I’m pleased to have witnessed the Diplomatic Service become much more reflective of the diversity of the country we serve and I’m proud to be part of this change.

Thanks to Guide Dogs for providing me with my second life-changing guide dog, Otto, who will be accompanying me, and my colleagues who have supported me on this journey. I can’t wait to get started in Slovenia later this year, with Otto in tow!

Deputy Chief Executive at Guide Dogs, Pete Osborne said:

Victoria has had an incredible career so far and we’re thrilled that she will have her guide dog Otto by her side on this next step as the UK ambassador to Slovenia.

It’s clear they have an extraordinary bond and have achieved remarkable things together. Our guide dogs not only help people with a vision impairment to live the life they choose but can truly change a person’s life. We wish Victoria all the very best.

Joining the UK Diplomatic Service in 1997, Victoria was the first person with a declared disability to be recruited by the Foreign Office following the introduction of the Disability Discrimination Act putting into law equality for those with disabilities.

Her career has included postings to Helsinki and Sarajevo, as well as working on the Ukraine response and Afghanistan on her path to reaching the senior rank today.

Today, approximately 15% of UK-based Foreign Office staff have a declared disability, which includes 10% of those serving in senior positions. The FCDO is committed to having a workforce which reflects the diversity of the UK.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 April 2024.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN General Assembly meeting on North Korea’s illegal nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

On 28 March, Russia vetoed a draft UN Security Council resolution to renew the mandate for the important work of the 1718 committee’s Panel of Experts, which upholds the global non-proliferation regime. This veto completely disregards resolutions Russia has previously voted for; resolutions which protect the non-proliferation regime and international peace and security.

As a result of Russia’s veto, the UN membership will no longer receive reports from the Panel about North Korea’s accelerating nuclear and ballistic missile programmes. It will not receive Panel updates about North Korea’s and Russia’s sanction evasion practices, which now risk going unreported.

This veto was designed to conceal Russia’s partnership with North Korea and make it easier for North Korea to escalate its unlawful weapons programmes. In turn, this enables Russia to breach and evade UN sanctions to get arms and ammunition from North Korea for its illegal invasion of Ukraine.

The Security Council, and this Assembly, know Russia has procured several dozen ballistic missiles and millions of artillery shells from North Korea, for direct use against Ukraine, Ukraine’s people, and civilian infrastructure.

So with this veto, Russia has abused its position as a permanent member of this Council to undermine the global non-proliferation regime and global security.

But let’s be clear to Russia: the UN sanctions regime remains in place. And the UK remains committed to holding North Korea to account for its attempts to evade UN sanctions.

In conclusion, President, I wish to extend our deep gratitude to the 1718 Panel of Experts, and to the United States for their work as penholder in the Security Council. The Panel’s credible, objective, and independent reporting enabled the international community to monitor the implementation of UN sanctions and helped to prevent North Korea’s unlawful and dangerous development of nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

We will continue to work with all Member States to ensure oversight and implementation of UN sanctions on North Korea in support of the nuclear non-proliferation regime and to uphold international peace and security.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 April 2024.

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

Thank you, President.

I would like to join others in thanking DPPA and OCHA for their informative briefings.

Colleagues, again, this Council meets following a brutal campaign of airstrikes by Russia, a permanent member of this Council, against Ukraine. Since 20 March, these attacks have intensified, with over 1,000 missiles, drones, and guided aerial bombs dropped in one week alone. Dozens of civilians, including children, have been injured or killed in the last days alone. As a result of Russia’s continued aggression, approximately 40% of Ukraine’s population will need humanitarian assistance this year.

I would like to make three points. First, Russia is deliberately targeting energy infrastructure. Just this morning, Russia’s strikes destroyed Trypillya power plant, one of Ukraine’s largest providers of electricity and heat to civilians. Russia’s attacks are leaving millions of people without power and water, cutting electricity to hospitals, threatening the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, and delaying life-saving humanitarian operations. We urge Russia to immediately cease its targeting of civilian infrastructure and comply with its obligations under international humanitarian law.

Second, since Russia’s invasion, the international community has come together in support of the people of Ukraine. The UK has committed over £350 million in humanitarian aid since February 2022 to support the valiant efforts of the UN and international and local NGOs to help those people in the most dire humanitarian need. But millions of these people are currently living on the frontlines and in Ukrainian territory illegally controlled by Russia, where Russia continues to deny humanitarian access. Russia needs to heed the repeated calls of Council members, to allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded humanitarian access, so humanitarian aid can reach those who need it most.

Third, Russian aggression in Ukraine is enabled by repression at home. The Russian authorities are curtailing freedoms of association, assembly and expression. They also continue to disregard British national Vladimir Kara-Murza’s declining health in Russian prison. On today, the second anniversary of Vladimir’s arrest, we urge the Russian authorities to release him immediately on humanitarian grounds. Madam President, Ukraine is facing a protracted humanitarian emergency. There is an easy solution to this suffering: for Russia to end this war, withdraw from Ukrainian territory, and respect its commitments under international law and the UN Charter.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 April 2024.

Justin Addison, UK Delegation to the OSCE, outlines the UK’s approach to asset recovery to the OSCE’s Economic and Environmental Committee.

One of the enduring challenges in tackling corruption is untangling the complex web of corporate structures used to launder criminal proceeds and hide stolen assets. In the context of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the UK is fully committed to recovering and returning corruptly-obtained assets in accordance with due process. Whilst this can take time, it ensures a fair and transparent approach.

The UK published its first ever Framework for Transparent and Accountable Asset Return in January 2022. This document is a key transparency indicator which sets out the UK’s policy for returning assets, including the stakeholders to be engaged, deduction of reasonable expenses by law enforcement, and potential mechanisms for return. In September we published statistics on the proceeds.

These are a few ways the UK is helping combat corruption and recovering assets.

The UK’s National Economic Crime Centre ensures beneficial ownership data both in the UK and around the world is not only transparent and reliable, but also published in a structured, machine-readable format which meets the Beneficial Ownership Data Standards.

We are developing a new capability dedicated to asset tracing, using new technology and datasets from private sector vendors to provide access to more data than is currently possible, and so identify more criminal assets for recovery.

Last year the UK published the Economic Crime Plan 2, which establishes a new Crypto Cell, combining law enforcement agencies and regulators to pool expertise and enforcement tools to tackle the criminal abuse of crypto assets.

To support Ukraine with its reconstruction following Russia’s illegal and brutal war of aggression, the UK is funding a Digital Restoration Ecosystem for Accountable Management online platform, to provide end-to-end transparency on the planning, selection, procurement, and delivery of all reconstruction projects. As of last July, more than 1,600 projects are being tracked, allowing oversight by government, civil society and international partners.

Finally, this is an area of work that requires international cooperation. The UK encourages participating States to give due consideration to civil measures, i.e. non-conviction-based confiscation, that may be used to recover assets, and to recognise UK civil orders where possible. This gives law enforcement a further tool to tackle corruption.

Thank you.