Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 January 2024.

The FCDO has issued a statement following elections in Bangladesh.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

“The United Kingdom notes the results of the 12th Parliamentary Elections in Bangladesh, which took place on 7 January 2024.

“Democratic elections depend on credible, open, and fair competition. Respect for human rights, rule of law and due process are essential elements of the democratic process. These standards were not consistently met during the election period. We are concerned at the significant number of arrests of opposition party members before polling day.

“We condemn the acts of intimidation and violence that took place prior to and during the campaign period. Such conduct has no place in political life.

“Not all political parties took part in the elections. The Bangladeshi people did not therefore have the fullest range of voting options.

“The United Kingdom and Bangladesh share a deep and historic friendship. Creating the conditions for a sustainable political settlement and vibrant civil society will enable long-term growth.  We encourage all political parties to address their differences and find a common way forward in the interests of the people of Bangladesh. We will continue to support this process.”

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 January 2024.

The UK, Canada, Sweden and Ukraine have issued a joint statement on the initiation of dispute settlement proceedings before the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) against Iran.

The International Coordination and Response Group for the victims of Flight PS752 today issued the following joint statement:

We, ministers representing Canada, Sweden, Ukraine and the United Kingdom, have taken another step on the road to transparency, justice and accountability for Iran’s unlawful downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 which killed 176 people including nationals and residents of our countries.

Today we have jointly initiated dispute settlement proceedings before the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) against the Islamic Republic of Iran for using weapons against a civil aircraft in flight in breach of its international legal obligations under Article 3bis of the Convention on International Civil Aviation (known as the Chicago Convention).

For four years now, Iran has refused to take full legal responsibility for the downing of Flight PS752 despite our numerous attempts to engage in negotiations on this matter. As a result, we have referred the dispute to the ICAO Council for a decision pursuant to Article 84 of the Chicago Convention.

Initiating these proceedings today reflects our commitment to the families who deserve justice. It also reflects our trust in the ICAO council, and the international community writ large, as guardian of the safety and security of civil aviation, including by settling disputes when they arise. It is necessary that those who violate the rules are held accountable. Our common hope is that this action alongside our continued pursuit of justice at the International Court of Justice can lead to real change and prevent similar tragic losses in the future. Justice shall prevail.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 January 2024.

Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, UN and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict arrives in India today (Monday) where he will launch two new UK-funded sustainability projects.

• UK’s Minister of State, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, will visit Chennai in Tamil Nadu and Ahmedabad in Gujarat on a three-day visit to India.
• Attending the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet (TNGIM), he will announce two new UK-funded sustainability projects.
• His visit will include attendance at Vibrant Gujarat, an innovation-focused summit.

Whilst in Chennai, the Minister will launch a Heat Mitigation project alongside Tamil Nadu’s State Planning Commission. The project will provide recommendations to the Government of Tamil Nadu to address extreme heat related deaths and the loss of vital ecosystems.

With the Tamil Nadu Department of Environment and Climate Change, he will also launch an Electronic and Battery Waste Management project, which will develop a plan to reduce battery waste.

As the states of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are two of India’s largest economies, the Minister will use his trip to highlight the strong UK-India trade partnership and explore new opportunities to collaborate, including on clean energy growth.

Lord Ahmad Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, UN, and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence said:

Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are leading the way in the development of emerging technologies, and I am delighted to see first-hand British businesses pioneering innovation in the region.

During my visit I look forward to further promoting joint innovation projects alongside dynamic Indian businesses – from renewable manufacturing to financial services.  These are made possible through the close trade partnership we have between our two countries.”

Attending the TNGIM in Chennai, a flagship investment summit, Lord Ahmad will deliver a keynote speech on the success of innovative UK-India projects in climate and energy.

He will continue to showcase the sustainable success of British businesses overseas at a GREAT reception and will see first-hand how British business is supporting clean growth in India.

At the Biennial Investors’ Summit, Vibrant Gujarat, the Minister will celebrate the close ties between the UK and India through business, culture, and our great links between our peoples.

While at Vibrant Gujarat, he will witness the signing of an MoU between the UK’s Abertay University and India’s École Intuit Lab. The partnership agreement will see teaching, research and innovation expertise shared between the two organisations.

Strengthening the UK-India relationship is a key pillar of the UK’s long-term foreign policy, as part of its enduring engagement in the Indo-Pacific set out in the Integrated Review Refresh.

Further Information

• The 2030 Roadmap for India-UK future relations was launched in 2021. Since then, significant progress has been made, including on health collaboration, advancing the transition to clean energy, cyber-security cooperation and the expansion of our defence and security partnership.
• The UK Government Advanced Manufacturing Plan is supported by £4.5 billion in funding, including £3 billion for automotive and aerospace, the plan focuses on driving innovation and supporting the transition to net zero.
• Launch of UK-funded projects in Tamil Nadu: as part of the ongoing climate and energy collaboration between the UK and Tamil Nadu, notably on offshore wind, green hydrogen and forests, two new collaboration projects will be launched:
  • Heat Mitigation Strategy for Tamil Nadu Project, which will work with the Government of Tamil Nadu to develop a strategy and action plan to address extreme heat related deaths and loss of ecosystems. The project will work towards the common goals of India and UK to address pressing climate challenges, particularly climate induced extreme weather events.
  • Electronic and Battery Waste Management Project, which will work with the Government of Tamil Nadu to develop a strategy and action plan on circular economy for electronic and battery waste to address the issue of increasing e-waste, including batteries, in a leading industrial state.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 January 2024.

• UK’s Minister of State, Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, will visit Chennai in Tamil Nadu and Ahmedabad in Gujarat on a 3-day visit to India
• attending the Tamil Nadu Global Investor’s Meet (TNGIM), he will announce 2 new UK-funded sustainability projects
• he will also attend Vibrant Gujarat, an innovation-focused summit

Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, UN and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict arrives in India today (Monday 8 January) where he will launch 2 new UK-funded sustainability projects.

Whilst in Chennai, the minister will launch a Heat Mitigation project alongside Tamil Nadu’s State Planning Commission. The project will provide recommendations to the Government of Tamil Nadu to address extreme heat related deaths and the loss of vital ecosystems.

With the Tamil Nadu Department of Environment and Climate Change, he will also launch an Electronic and Battery Waste Management project, which will develop a plan to reduce battery waste.

The minister will meet with national and local government representatives and talks will be wide ranging, from clean energy to human rights. He will also discuss progress towards an ambitious trade deal, for which there is strong political will on both sides.

As the states of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are 2 of India’s largest economies, the minister will use his trip to highlight the strong UK-India trade partnership and explore new opportunities to collaborate, including on clean energy growth.

Lord Ahmad Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, UN, and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence said:

Tamil Nadu and Gujarat are leading the way in the development of emerging technologies, and I am delighted to see first-hand British businesses pioneering innovation in the region.

During my visit I look forward to further promoting joint innovation projects alongside dynamic Indian businesses – from renewable manufacturing to financial services. These are made possible through the close trade partnership we have between our 2 countries.

Attending the TNGIM in Chennai, a flagship investment summit, Lord Ahmad will deliver a keynote speech on the success of innovative UK-India projects in climate and energy.

He will continue to showcase the sustainable success of British businesses overseas at a GREAT reception and will see first-hand how British business is supporting clean growth in India.

At the Biennial Investors’ Summit, Vibrant Gujarat, the minister will celebrate the close ties between the UK and India through business, culture, and our great links between our peoples.

While at Vibrant Gujarat, he will witness the signing of an MoU between the UK’s Abertay University and India’s École Intuit Lab. The partnership agreement will see teaching, research and innovation expertise shared between the 2 organisations.

Strengthening the UK-India relationship is a key pillar of the UK’s long-term foreign policy, as part of its enduring engagement in the Indo-Pacific set out in the Integrated Review Refresh.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 January 2024.

The UK has issued a statement in response to Russia using weapons sourced from North Korea against Ukraine.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

The UK strongly condemns Russia’s decision to use ballistic missiles sourced from North Korea in recent attacks against Ukraine. We urge North Korea to cease its arms supply to Russia.

Russia is turning to North Korea for its weapons in pursuit of its cynical and ill-conceived military aims in Ukraine. This is symptomatic of its isolation on the world stage and a sign of its desperation. Furthermore, this activity is in violation of multiple UN Security Council Resolutions – which Russia supported as a Permanent Member.

Any support for North Korea’s own illegal weapons programmes risks significantly undermining the UN’s long standing commitment to security, and further destabilising the region.

North Korea is subject to a robust sanctions regime, and we will continue to work with our partners to ensure that North Korea pays a high price for supporting Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 4 January 2024.

The UK has issued a statement condemning the bombing in Kerman, Iran, on 3 January.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office said:

The UK condemns the horrendous bombing in Kerman, Iran, yesterday which killed so many Iranians.

Our thoughts and condolences to the families of those killed and injured.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 January 2024.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Houthi threats to commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 January 2024.

The FCDO has issued a statement firmly rejecting any suggestion of the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza.

A spokesperson for the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development office said:

Gaza is Occupied Palestinian Territory and will be part of a future Palestinian state. The UK firmly rejects any suggestion of the resettlement of Palestinians outside of Gaza.

We share the concerns of our allies and partners that Gazans should not be subject to forcible displacement or relocation from Gaza.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 3 January 2024.

Foreign Secretary is travelling to Kosovo to meet UK personnel deployed to NATO’s peacekeeping mission, and to underline UK support for stability in the region.

• David Cameron to meet UK personnel permanently deployed to NATO’s peacekeeping mission
• he will underline UK commitment to support Kosovo and wider Western Balkans stability
• visit will also highlight UK support for women and girls across the region

At a time of growing instability across the Western Balkans, the Foreign Secretary will today (4 January) visit Kosovo on his first trip of the new year, to meet UK troops based in the country and hold talks with Kosovan leaders and civil society.

In the aftermath of an attack in September, which saw a Kosovan police officer and 3 Kosovo Serb gunmen killed, the UK announced the deployment of 200 additional soldiers to NATO’s peacekeeping mission in Kosovo, joining the 400-strong British contingent that were already in country as part of an annual exercise.

While in the Kosovan capital, Pristina, the Foreign Secretary will meet his counterpart the Minister of Foreign Affairs Donika Gërvalla-Schwarz, and hold talks with President Vjosa Osmani and Prime Minister Albin Kurti about security issues in the Western Balkans.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

The UK is proud of its longstanding support for Kosovan sovereignty and independence, and we are playing a vital role in maintaining stability in the Western Balkans to ensure the conflicts of the past do not flare up once again.

Our troops are supporting that stability through NATO, our law enforcement experts are tackling corruption and organised crime, and our diplomats are working with partners to help preserve the gains achieved through peace and dialogue.

David Cameron will also meet members of the Kosovo Rehabilitation Centre for Torture Victims, which the UK has supported for almost 10 years, and a female survivor of conflict-related sexual violence at the Heroinat Memorial. The memorial commemorates conflict-related sexual violence survivors of the Kosovo War with the design made of 20,000 pins representing the 20,000 survivors.

The UK works closely with countries across the Western Balkans through its over-£25 million Freedom and Resilience Programme to empower women and girls by tackling conflict-related sexual violence, gender-based violence and promoting women’s meaningful participation in decision-making processes.

Throughout the visit, the Foreign Secretary will underline the UK’s continued support to the Western Balkans, drawing on the UK’s expertise as a partner in security and defence, tackling corruption and organised crime, and empowering women and girls.

Concluding the trip, the Foreign Secretary is expected to meet Bishop Teodosije at the UNESCO World Heritage site Gracanica Monastery, a Serbian Orthodox monastery outside of Pristina. The 2 will discuss the vital role of religious authorities in fostering stability across all communities in Kosovo and working to reduce tensions.

Further information

• the NATO-led KFOR mission contributes to maintaining a safe and secure environment and freedom of movement for all communities in Kosovo. NATO also supports the development of professional, democratic and multi-ethnic security structures in Kosovo
• in October 2023, the UK announced the temporary deployment of around 200 additional soldiers to KFOR, following a request from Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) and approval by the North Atlantic Council. These 200 soldiers joined a 400 British contingent already in country as part of an annual exercise

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 2 January 2024.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron discussed Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, the humanitarian situation in Gaza and support for Ukraine with Secretary of State Blinken today.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said:

The Foreign Secretary spoke to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken today [2 January 2024].

The Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State discussed the international community’s shared condemnation of the illegal and unjustified attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea by Houthi militants.  They made clear that the UK and US will work with our partners to hold the Houthis accountable for these unlawful seizures and attacks.

The Foreign Secretary raised worsening food insecurity in Gaza and the urgent need for significantly more aid to reach civilians, through as many routes as possible.

Finally, the Foreign Secretary and Secretary of State discussed Russia’s deplorable air strikes against Odesa, Lviv, Dnipro, Kharkiv and Kyiv over the New Year period, and their steadfast commitment to supporting Ukraine this year.