Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 November 2023.

Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, spoke at the International Institute for Strategic Studies Manama Dialogue 2023.

It’s a pleasure to be back in Bahrain.  Indeed, I was saying to our Ambassador, and indeed Bahrain’s excellent ambassador to London, Sheikh Fawaz, for me over the last few years has become home away from home; according to my wife is it my home and I see her occasionally.  But this is an incredible country.  A country which has really demonstrated – as it’s doing so again today – its convening power.

Since then – since my last visit in Bahrain – the bilateral relationship has grown even stronger, including the visit that we celebrated of His Royal Highness Prince Salman’s visit in July.  And more recently, I’m proud to say that the 2 countries – the United Kingdom and Bahrain – have elevated our exchanges to our first strategic dialogue, which I had the honour to co-chair with my dear friend, his Excellency Dr Al Zayani in London.  And may I therefore thank the Kingdom of Bahrain for hosting us today for another important and timely event.

And I assure you the UK delegation here is in strengths.  They say you normally have one Lord; I can certainly look across this room and see several more: Lord Sedwill, Lord Maud, as well as other parliamentarians and business leaders are here, demonstrating the United Kingdom’s commitment to Bahrain; but also, importantly, the region.

Last year, when the then Foreign Secretary addressed you, he spoke in glowing terms about the transformation of the region; but also, importantly, of the threats that continue to face the region, indeed all of us.

In this context, Bahrain has shown, under His Majesty’s vision, continued leadership on peaceful coexistence and regional security.  We have seen the benefit of the Gulf region’s approach to foreign policy over the last year, including efforts to end the conflict in Sudan, hosting Ukrainian peace talks and, most recently, bringing the Arab world together in response to the crisis that we are all facing up to today in Israel, across Gaza and the West Bank.  These efforts have reconfirmed what we already knew: that you remain a vital partner now and for the future.

And as we’ve heard from the Secretary General and His Royal Highness in his detailed sense of experience over the years, we together face a daunting set of challenges.  And in this regard let me be absolutely clear: we, the United Kingdom, remains a reliable and a committed partner for the region in responding to the challenges and availing the opportunities that lie in front of us.

A partner working to constrain Iranian weapons proliferation and the destabilising activity of Iran and its aligned groups that are responsible for much instability across the region and further afield; a partner also holding Tehran to account for its escalatory nuclear programme.

A partner working together with other key partners in the region for security and peace in Yemen, in Libya.

A partner for prosperity with, and between, the nations of the Gulf.

And a partner working to support this region’s transition to net zero, that will help avert the most disastrous impacts of climate change that threaten the Gulf – indeed the world.

I say all of this because, despite and notwithstanding the importance and urgency of these and other challenges, it is natural, given the scale of the attack that occurred on Israel on the 7th of October, the scale of the suffering of innocent Palestinian civilians in the weeks since – that we are still seeing today – that our focus is on this region; on Gaza; on the Occupied Palestinian Territories; and the relationship between Israelis and Palestinians.

This ongoing conflict is not only a disaster for the region, it is a disaster for all of us: it is a disaster for our common humanity.

The people of Gaza were already living under desperate conditions prior to this conflict; but now they are suffering more, without adequate food, water and access to the most basic of services we all take for granted, and in constant fear of their own live. They deserve better from all of us – and I agree with you, your Royal Highness, it means a collective, collaborative effort.

It is also a disaster for the region and the world because conflict stokes division. It has led to alarming spikes of anti-Semitism; of Islamophobia; and yes, that has impacted my own country, the United Kingdom.

And therefore, if we do not work together, collectively, collaboratively, this conflict will spread.  These aren’t just words, these are alarming signals we are seeing.  And we need to work together to stop this conflict from spreading.

The regional and international fault lines we have worked so hard over many, many years to bridge will tragically reopen, and the progress I have spoken of will be undermined.

Therefore what to do?  What should the international community be doing?

Well, coming together; discussing; exchanging views; candid, open public discussions – yes.  But private diplomacy and exchanges as well.

All focussed that in the immediate term we must stem the bloodshed, and do all we can to provide aid and security as quickly as possible to all people.

Let me be clear, the UK has been very clear on this: that Israel had the right to defend itself against Hamas, against the act of terrorism that took place on the 7th of October.

Hamas, let us not forget, acted erroneously in the name of religion I follow, that many of you follow in this room, but has nothing to do with religion. Hamas do not believe in peace.  The horrific atrocities against many nationalities – not just Israelis – also took the lives of the Jewish community in Israel, but there were a number of other faiths, including Muslims, as well.

Therefore Hamas poses an immediate threat to many, indeed to us all.  It itself has insisted it will repeat such atrocities, and, of course, an ultimate aim of ending the state of Israel.

Therefore it’s our collective interest that the kind of abhorrent events we saw on the 7th of October, the terrorism we see around the world – indeed the United Kingdom itself has been impacted by indiscriminate terrorism – that we work collectively to ensure these events do not happen.

But the UK has equally been clear that in defending such a right, Israel must – Israel must – respect international humanitarian law, and take every possible step to minimise harm to civilians.  Israel is a country, is a nation, with obligations to international law.

This also includes respecting the sanctity of hospitals, so that doctors – who do an incredible job as we are seeing for ourselves – can continue to care for the ill; the injured; the sick. And the situation in much of Gaza now – particularly in hospitals as well, such as al-Shifa, where, tragically, young innocent children, babies have died as the result of lack of electricity – has become acute.

Too many people; too many innocent children; too many babies; too many lives lost.  Every life matters, irrespective of Israeli or Palestinia; Jewish, Muslim or Christian.  Every life matters; humanity matters.

And that is why the UK, led by the Prime Minister, has been engaged widely, with our friends and allies, and partners in this region, including many of you here.  And, importantly, with the incredible aid agencies including the United Nations, to get life-saving aid to those in Gaza.  And let us pay tribute to those brave workers from the UN and other agencies who continue to work in conflict-affected zones.

We have more than doubled our support to the people of Gaza, committing over £30million.  And we continue to support through NGOs as well.

We are looking constructively at what can be done immediately. We believe that land-borders present the best option for getting support where it is most needed, and we have been urging the Israeli government to allow for more access – not just through Rafah, but to open up the Kerem Shalom crossing as well.

We have consistently called for those spaces to be created for the delivery of unhindered and sustainable humanitarian aid through pauses.  Those spaces need to be created now, to allow for aid to be delivered.

The 4-hour pauses we have seen in northern Gaza are a first, but initial step only; we need longer corridors, time across all of Gaza, if we are to deliver what is needed.  And we need a collective effort to get this done.

On Wednesday, the UN Security Council called – and I quote – for “urgent extended humanitarian pauses for sufficient number of days to allow for aid access”.  And we must work towards this end.

And as we’ve heard time and time again from this platform during the course of our deliberations: yes, we must work together for a durable, long-term two-state solution; but it must not be paper-based.  The time has come for action; we need to pull out the stops now.  The time is critical to act.

The UK believes that lasting peace can only be achieved through that two-state solution.  Not as a vision, but as a reality.

We agreed on Gaza at the G7 and with other countries.  The steps were laid out by Secretary Blinken, and we stand by those.  Not a path that exists only in principle, or in the minds of diplomats or officials; but – as we’ve seen today – not again a cycle of repeated resolutions that make too little difference on the ground.  We need a real pathway: a pathway to peace; a pathway which is real: to restore hope in the future for all the peoples of the region; a hope – ladies and gentlemen, your Excellencies – that has been lacking for too long.

I end my comments with a quote; a quote many of you in this room will recognise – I know your Royal Highness, you will recognise it; Secretary General, you will recognise it. In 1994, the words were: “There is only one radical means of sanctifying human lives.  Not armoured plating, not tanks, not planes, or concrete fortifications.  The real radical solution is peace.”  The words of Yitzhak Rabin.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 18 November 2023.

Minister of State for the Middle East Lord Ahmad is travelling to Bahrain and Qatar for high-level talks on the crisis in Israel and Gaza.

• Middle East Minister Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon visits Bahrain and Qatar for discussions on the crisis in Israel and Gaza
• in a speech to senior decision makers from the region, Lord Ahmad will reiterate urgent calls for sustained humanitarian pauses and discuss longer term routes to end hostilities and bring about a two-state solution
• visit follows UK commitment of an additional £30 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians

Minister of State for the Middle East Lord Ahmad is travelling to Bahrain and Qatar for high-level talks on the crisis in Israel and Gaza.

In Bahrain, the minister will give a speech at the Manama Dialogue, a forum of senior decision makers from the Middle East.

He will set out the UK’s commitment to securing sustained humanitarian pauses to allow the flow of significantly more life-saving aid into Gaza and to preventing the crisis from spreading across the region.

He will stress the UK’s position that Israel has a right to defend itself but their actions must comply with international humanitarian law, and discuss ways to bring about long-term regional stability and a viable two-state solution. The minister will also meet with Middle East counterparts, including the Secretary General of the Arab League.

In Qatar the minister will have various bilateral meetings, including with the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, HE Mohammed Al Khulaifi and with Minister of Labour, HE Dr Ali bin Samikh Al Marri. He will thank Qatar for their role in negotiations to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon, Minister of State for Middle East, North Africa, South Asia, United Nations and the Commonwealth said:

Together with our partners in the Middle East, the UK is working to increase the amount of aid getting into Gaza and prevent the crisis from spreading across the West Bank and the wider region. This includes the conditions to allow for safe, unhindered and sustainable access of humanitarian aid.

I will also be discussing the prospects of a renewed effort towards delivering on the reality of a two-state solution which delivers peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians.

The visit to Bahrain and Qatar follows Lord Ahmad’s recent visits to Israel, the West Bank and Morocco and Minister of State for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell’s visit to Cairo earlier this week. This is in addition to travel to the region by the Prime Minister, former Foreign Secretary and Defence Secretary. These diplomatic efforts have centred on calls for access to lifesaving aid for Gaza, the return of British nationals and the prevention of dangerous regional escalation.

The UK recently allocated £30 million in additional aid for the Occupied Palestinian Territories – more than doubling the existing aid commitment for this year [£27 million]. This will allow trusted partners, including the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) and others, to provide Palestinians with essential humanitarian relief items and services such as food, water and shelter.

Lord Ahmad will also use to visit the Qatar to discuss bilateral matters. This includes overseeing the signing of the Labour Rights Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), providing a framework for further reform of labour rights in Qatar and building on progress made around the recent World Cup.

The minister will also open the UK Pavilion at the International Horticultural Exposition in Doha. The exposition aims to promote horticultural solutions to the challenges of climate change and water scarcity.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 November 2023.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN General Assembly meeting on the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip.

Thank you, President.

And I’d like to start by thanking the United Nations, particularly today’s briefers, and all the humanitarians for their truly heroic efforts. And I extend again my condolences to the UN family and the families of those 103 staff members in Gaza who have lost their lives in the past six weeks.

President, as I said in the Security Council on Wednesday, it is impossible to comprehend the pain and loss that civilians are enduring in this conflict. Too many civilians are losing their lives and the protection of civilians and alleviating suffering is the top priority for the UK.

This is why we strongly welcomed the passage of the Security Council’s humanitarian resolution this week. This calls for a humanitarian pause for a period of days for long enough to get lifesaving aid to those who need it. This will establish a safer environment for humanitarians, and support urgent efforts to secure the immediate and safe release of all hostages.

We must now turn these words into action.

The UK is committed to the urgent implementation of this resolution, in particular in three areas.

Firstly, we are working with our partners to provide and to get lifesaving items into Gaza. This includes food, water, medical supplies and crucially, fuel. The priority must be for Israel to allow sufficient fuel into Gaza so that humanitarian operations can run unimpeded and so hospitals and desalination plants can operate.

Secondly, we are supporting efforts to scale up the response. We are urging, and I urge again here today, that the priority must be improved land access, including at Kerem Shalom, as well as scaled-up access at Rafah, so aid can reach the levels needed.

Third, we remain clear that both sides must comply with international humanitarian law and take every possible step to minimise harm to civilians. That includes respecting the sanctity of hospitals so that healthcare professionals can care for the sick and injured.

President, a humanitarian response to this crisis is vital. But our responsibility does not end there. We will redouble our efforts, with our partners, to create a new political horizon to deliver on the promise of peace and security for Israelis and Palestinians, and make the two-state solution a reality.

I thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 November 2023.

Statement by UK Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN Security Council meeting on threats to international peace and security.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 November 2023.

Emma Logan, UK Delegation to the OSCE, says the current challenges facing the Indo-Pacific are clearly linked to the security of the OSCE region.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 November 2023.

The Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom and the United States) have condemned the escalating violence and human rights abuses in Sudan.

Norway, the United Kingdom, and the United States (The Troika), condemns the escalating violence and human rights abuses in Sudan, especially attacks by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in West, Central and South Darfur. These have included – according to credible reports – mass killings including ethnic targeting of non-Arab and other communities, killings of traditional leaders, unjust detentions, and obstruction of humanitarian aid. We are also concerned by reports of violence in the town of Jebel Aulia, on the White Nile River, where there are reports of targeting of civilians.

We reiterate that there is no acceptable military solution to the conflict, and call for an end to the fighting. We urge the RSF and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) to refrain from actions that would further divide Sudan along ethnic lines or draw other forces into their conflict.  Both sides need to de-escalate and engage in meaningful discussions that lead to a ceasefire and unhindered humanitarian access.  To that end, we welcome the recent resumption of talks in Jeddah, co-facilitated by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United States, and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), which is also participating on behalf of the African Union, and recognise the initial humanitarian commitments made by the parties on November 7.

Achieving a sustainable solution requires ending violence and resuming a civilian-owned political process to form a civilian government and restore Sudan’s democratic transition. We welcome the efforts of the Sudanese people as they work to support humanitarian responses, demand an end to the war, and resume the stalled political transition.

The Troika countries are proud to be among the largest donors in support of the Sudanese people, and we will continue to focus on efforts to ensure that diverse communities are able to participate meaningfully in building Sudan’s democratic future, at the same time as supporting displaced persons and other at-risk communities through life-saving humanitarian aid.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 November 2023.

The Right Honourable Michelle Donelan MP, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology visits Space City to promote UK innovation and advance UK-TX collaboration with Texas industry leaders.

HOUSTON, TX., Nov. 16, 2023 – The Rt. Hon. Michelle Donelan MP visited Houston yesterday (Wednesday, Nov. 15.) as part of a multi-state tour of the US to boost science, innovation and technology ties with individual US states.

Earlier this year the Secretary of State launched the UK’s International Technology Strategy which sets out how the UK will work with its international partners and allies to support our shared growth, address global challenges and build momentum behind a digital and tech future that reflects our values. The US is a key ally in delivering this strategy, and as part of this visit the Secretary of State started her US tour on Monday in Washington, DC and will continue on to San Francisco and Seattle later this week.

In Houston, she met with senior stakeholders including HPE and NASA to promote the UK technology and aerospace industries as well as the UK’s commitment to even greater links with Texas, the second largest and fastest growing state in the US.

At the Texas Medical Center (TMC), the Secretary of State met the latest cohort of UK-based companies participating in the TMC Innovation accelerator as part of the Innovate UK Global Incubator Programme. This programme supports innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to grow and scale through exploring the potential of global markets. During the meeting, she also highlighted the upcoming Demo Day on Thursday, November 16, where each cohort member will present their groundbreaking ideas. This event provides a platform for engaging with TMC’s eminent scientists, funders, and healthcare professionals, contributing to the advancement of healthcare, research, and education.

Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, Michelle Donelan said:

When it comes to science and tech collaboration, Great Britain has no closer ally than our friends and partners in the USA.

As the home of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Texas is one of the birthplaces of space exploration, as well as a major player in modern space, and there is huge potential in the partnerships and innovations that it can collaborate on with the UK.

So I am here to share our success story with companies, lawmakers and industry, and to champion Britain as the top-class breeding ground for innovation that it is.

His Britannic Majesty’s Consul General in Texas, Richard Hyde said:

Earlier this year the US and UK signed the Atlantic Declaration which acknowledges our two countries joint leadership in science and technology. I am delighted that the Secretary of State has recognised that you cannot understand the US science and innovation landscape without seeing firsthand the Texas miracle.

Innovate UK Deputy Director – Global, Janet Geddes, said:

Innovate UK is committed to empowering our businesses to thrive globally. By facilitating access to international innovation opportunities, we aim to not only support our businesses in succeeding on the international stage but also to foster deep and enduring partnerships with key countries like the US. Houston, with its gateway to over 1,760 life sciences companies, cutting-edge healthcare facilities, and world-renowned research institutions, stands as a prime example of our strategic approach.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 November 2023.

On the 16 November 2023, the second session of the Strategic Dialogue between the United Kingdom and Algeria was held in London.

The Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs and National Community Abroad of the People’s Democratic Republic of Algeria, His Excellency Ahmed Attaf, met in London on 16 November 2023, in the framework of the second session of the Algeria-United Kingdom Strategic Dialogue.

The Ministers held constructive talks aimed at deepening existing bilateral cooperation. They praised the longstanding relationship between Algeria and the United Kingdom, which dates back to the sixteenth century and the appointment of the first British Consul in Algiers in 1580 and the signing in 1682 of a bilateral Treaty of Peace and Trade.

The two sides noted with satisfaction the progress in implementing the recommendations of the first session of the strategic dialogue held in 2020. They emphasised the warm and extensive links between the UK and Algeria, praising the depth of diplomatic, defence, security, economic, trade, scientific research, education and cultural cooperation. The UK and Algeria agreed to strengthen the bilateral partnership in those fields, including through regular official-level engagement.

The Ministers also discussed regional and multilateral issues of common interest. The two sides shared their assessments of the situation in the North Africa and Middle East, as well as the Sahel region.

The UK congratulated Algeria on its election earlier this year to both the UN Security Council and the UN Human Rights Council.  The UK looked forward to supporting Algerian priorities during its upcoming tenure at the Security Council and beyond on issues of concern, including shared aims of stability, security and human rights, stability in the Sahel and non-constitutional change of government there. The UK and Algeria expressed concern about non-constitutional changes of government, including in the Sahel, and the importance of addressing the root cause of instability. The deteriorating security situation in Mali, and the need for a resolution to the Niger crisis, were particular areas of concern.

The Ministers reaffirmed their shared commitment to regular political dialogue and high-level exchanges to deepen understanding and strengthen cooperation on regional and global issues of mutual concern. They also undertook to promote peace, security and stability in their respective regions as well as globally, through close coordination and collaboration within international organisations and fora.

With regards to the current situation in the Middle East, the two sides expressed their deep concern at the loss of civilian lives and the deteriorating humanitarian situation.  The two parties called for the protection of civilians and the facilitation of access for humanitarian aid.  Both sides reiterated their support for a two-state solution based on 1967 borders as the only viable solution to the Middle East conflict.

On the issue of Western Sahara, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution, based on compromise, which provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations. The two sides reaffirmed their full support to the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, Mr Staffan de Mistura as well as MINURSO.  The two countries expressed their concern at the humanitarian situation in the Tindouf refugee camps and reiterated the need for further humanitarian support.

The UK and Algeria then discussed existing and planned bilateral cooperation. The sides reaffirmed their desire to further strengthen and enhance partnership and cooperation in all fields and explore new avenues of cooperation based on mutual interest. They recognised the potential for further economic cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, energy and technology. Both countries committed to facilitate and promote trade and investment, identify opportunities for business partnerships, and create an enabling environment for increased economic engagement.

On defence and security, the two sides:

• welcomed ongoing cooperation in the face of shared security challenges, including the fight against terrorism, organised crime, human trafficking, cyber security and other transnational threats.
• agreed to strengthen intelligence sharing, law enforcement cooperation, and capacity building efforts to enhance security and promote stability in the region.
• looked forward to further deepening the close defence relationship and to the Joint Military Dialogue in 2024.
• reaffirmed the strong cooperation on aviation and maritime security issues – a key enabler for trade and people movement between our two countries. To that end, the two sides agreed to advance a technical Memorandum of Understanding on maritime security cooperation.

On trade and investment, the two sides:

• celebrated UK investments in Algeria, and the mutual benefits arising from them.
• renewed the shared commitment to build successful and mutually beneficial trade and investment partnerships. In this regard, the UK and Algeria identified several opportunities to develop through investment and partnership, including in the fields of renewable energy, finance and banking, the digital and technology sectors, pharmaceuticals, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, agriculture, and tourism.
• acknowledged the importance of energy cooperation, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, and the transition to a low-carbon economy. To that end, the UK and Algeria committed to explore opportunities for collaboration in the energy sector, including knowledge sharing, technology transfer and joint research and development initiatives.
• acknowledged the importance of supporting and promoting start-ups as drivers of innovation, economic growth and job creation. The UK and Algeria committed to examining future opportunities for exchanging best practice which might be achieved through the signing of bilateral of Memoranda of Understanding.  The UK also acknowledged the significant initiatives undertaken by the Algerian Government to foster the start-up ecosystem since 2020.
• agreed to explore bilateral exchanges of visits on start-ups and enterprise, aimed at cultivating cross-cultural exchange and collaboration.
• agreed to  advocate for the establishment of collaborative frameworks between venture capitalists from both countries, fostering the exchange of best practice and facilitating fundraising for Algerian start-ups.
• welcomed the creation of the Trade Task Force, following on from the trade facilitation workshop earlier this year. To that end, the UK and Algeria signed a Memorandum of Understanding, to act as a foundation to further the discussion on a mutually beneficial trade agreement.
• welcomed the launch of the Developing Countries Trading Scheme which supports economic growth and diversification in countries across Africa, and which offers Algeria tariff free access to the UK in the majority of sectors.
• agreed to increase the level of contact and exchanges between business communities.

On consular affairs, migration and justice, the two sides:

• noted with satisfaction the level of bilateral dialogue on consular affairs and the recent visit to Algeria by UK Home Office Minister Jenrick earlier this year.
• agreed to further develop contacts between officials in the fields of consular affairs and to strengthen cooperation on returns.
• agreed to continue strengthening existing cooperation on wider judicial and home affairs cooperation, including tackling irregular migration and human trafficking, consolidating institutional cooperation including by benefitting Algeria from the UK expertise on anti-corruption and good governance.

On education and culture, the UK welcomed Algerian government’s initiative to increase the teaching of English language in schools and as a language of tuition in higher education establishments. The UK reiterated its willingness to lend its support in this regard through increasing inter-universities cooperation.  Elsewhere, the two sides:

• welcomed the launch of the joint Higher Education Committee as a vehicle to strengthen collaboration and build university-to-university partnerships through twinning agreements, joint projects and research programs in the field of agriculture, renewable energy, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and green hydrogen.
• looked to facilitate academic cooperation, student exchanges, cultural events and further collaboration between educational and cultural institutions.
• welcomed the close collaboration between the British Council and the Ministry of National Education to deliver training to English language teachers.
• welcomed the recent signing of an updated Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of “British Schools” in Algeria, and now look forward to the opening of a second school – “British Campus Algeria” – in 2024.

The UK also congratulated the Algerian side on the decision to set up a Cultural centre in London to promote and expand cultural ties between the two countries.

On parliamentary cooperation, the two sides welcomed the dynamics of political dialogue and committed to encouraging parliamentary cooperation through exchange of visits of members of parliament particularly through reinvigorating the Algerian-UK Friendship Parliamentary Group.

On the exchange of high level visits between the two countries, the UK looked forward to Algeria’s participation at the Africa-UK Investment Summit which will be hosted by the UK Prime Minister in London on April 2024.

The two sides agreed to convene for follow up talks at Ministerial level in Algiers in one year’s time.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 November 2023.

On 15 November the UK and five partners filed a joint declaration of intervention in the International Court of Justice case brought by The Gambia against Myanmar.

The governments of Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom today issued the following statement:

On 15 November, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom filed a joint declaration of intervention in the case brought by The Gambia against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice.

In these proceedings, The Gambia alleges violations of the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (Genocide Convention). It argues that Myanmar’s security forces perpetrate widespread and systemic “clearance operations” against the Rohingya, and that “genocidal acts committed during these operations were intended to destroy the Rohingya as a group, in whole or in part, by the use of mass murder, rape and other forms of sexual violence, as well as the systematic destruction by fire of their villages, often with inhabitants locked inside burning houses”.

Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom are exercising the right to intervene in this case under Article 63(2) of the Statute of the Court in order to set out their interpretation of the relevant provisions of the Genocide Convention before the Court. They recall that the Genocide Convention requires States Parties to prevent the crime of genocide and hold those responsible to account.

Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom further reaffirm their commitment to accountability and the international legal order and stress the Court’s vital role in the peaceful settlement of disputes as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 16 November 2023.

The UK and others issue a statement to the OSCE’s Permanent Council on the human rights situation in Belarus, calling for immediate release of all political prisoners.