Tag: Foreign Office

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.

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

Ambassador Neil Holland reaffirms UK support for Georgia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and calls on Russia to cease hybrid tactics against Georgia.

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

Ambassador Neil Holland says that Russia is attacking Ukrainian ports and critical national infrastructure in an attempt to strangle the Ukrainian economy and deprive Ukraine of electricity, heat and water.

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

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Sudan.

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

The Foreign Secretary has visited Kyiv, where he reaffirmed the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine and met President Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Kuleba.

The Foreign Secretary, David Cameron, has travelled to Kyiv for his first overseas visit to underline the UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine against Russia’s aggression.

In Kyiv, Foreign Secretary David Cameron met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Foreign Minister Kuleba, telling them his support for the country was enduring, as it had been when he was Prime Minister.

David Cameron spearheaded the start of Op Orbital in 2015 as Prime Minister, launching the major British Army training programme in Ukraine, which drilled and upskilled more than 22,000 soldiers. The programme was paused last year during Russia’s full scale invasion, and replaced by Op Interflex, which is based in the UK.

The Foreign Secretary also heard how Ukraine continues to make progress pushing back Russian forces, including in Topoli and heard how Ukraine continues to make remarkable progress in the Black Sea to drive the Russian Navy eastwards.

As part of the visit, the Foreign Secretary welcomed the launch of the new ‘Unity Facility’ between UK company Marsh McLennan and the Ukrainian Government, which will provide affordable shipping insurance for grain and other critical food supplies globally from Ukraine’s Black Sea ports.

The facility delivers on a pledge made at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London in June, where Marsh McLennan committed to provide services to the Ukrainian government pro-bono.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

As Foreign Secretary, supporting Ukraine against Putin’s aggression is vital, which is why I am pleased to make this my first visit as Secretary of State.

Russia thinks it can wait this war out, and that the West will eventually turn its attention elsewhere. This could not be further from the truth. In my first discussions with President Zelenskyy in my new role, I made clear that the UK and our partners will support Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes for them to achieve victory.

As winter approaches, we continue to stand with the Ukrainian people as they resist Putin’s illegal invasion. In the last 3 months, they have pushed Russia back in the Black Sea and are opening vital sea trade routes for the Ukrainian economy and global food supplies.

The Foreign Secretary also discussed Ukraine’s NATO aspirations with Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna. The UK is clear that Ukraine’s rightful place is in NATO and is working with Allies to smooth the path to Ukraine’s accession by removing the need for a Membership Action Plan.

The UK is the second largest donor of military assistance to Ukraine, committing £4.6 billion to the country so far, and most recently announcing a £100 million package that will assist Ukraine’s armed forces to clear minefields, maintain its vehicles and shore up defensive fortifications to protect critical national infrastructure.

This month UK marks the 30,000th Ukrainian soldier to be trained under Operation Interflex, the largest military training programme of its kind on British soil since the Second World War. The programme has proved game-changing for Ukraine’s forces and was first rolled out in Ukraine under David Cameron’s leadership in 2015.

The Foreign Secretary also held talks on Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction with Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal. The UK is working closely with Ukraine on its reconstruction, having hosted the Ukraine Recovery Conference in June 2023, which saw more than $60 billion being raised towards recovery efforts, including £240 million in bilateral assistance from the UK.

The Foreign Secretary also visited Unit City, an innovation and technology hub in Kyiv, where he met young entrepreneurs building the future of Ukraine’s economy.

Background

• Ukraine’s Ministry of Digital Transformation and its tech sector are playing a crucial role in winning the military campaign, notably through drone technology. They are also crucial for other aspects of the war effort and for winning the peace – through their contribution to economic resilience, innovative delivery of public services, and reform
• Unit City aims to create a modern city for the future within Kyiv, that promotes innovative entrepreneurship and research, aiming to create Ukrainian start-up companies that are successful in the global market
• the Ukraine tech sector grew rapidly and emerged as a player in the global IT industry before the full-scale invasion. It has shown tremendous resilience thanks to its relative mobility and Ukrainian talent

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

Foreign Secretary David Cameron is the first UK minister to visit Black Sea port city of Odesa since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron has today seen first-hand how Ukraine is pushing back Russian forces in the Black Sea to ensure grain is able to reach the world’s vulnerable.

On the second day of his visit to Ukraine, the Foreign Secretary has travelled to the Black Sea port city of Odesa – he is the first UK government minister to do so since Russia’s full-scale invasion began.

Odesa is at the forefront of Ukraine’s resistance to Russian aggression. In the last three months, Ukraine has made remarkable progress in the Black Sea to drive the Russian Navy eastwards and open critical export corridors for Ukraine’s economy and global food supplies.

Ukraine’s efforts since Russia collapsed the Black Sea Grain Initiative, have allowed 91 ships to export 3.3 million tonnes of agricultural and other cargo.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

As Foreign Secretary, supporting Ukraine against Putin’s aggression is vital, which is why I am pleased to make this my first visit as Secretary of State.

Russia thinks it can wait this war out, and that the West will eventually turn its attention elsewhere. This could not be further from the truth. In my first discussions with President Zelenskyy in my new role, I made clear that the UK and our partners will support Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes for them to achieve victory.

As winter approaches, we continue to stand with the Ukrainian people as they resist Putin’s illegal invasion. In the last three months, they have pushed Russia back in the Black Sea and are opening vital sea trade routes for the Ukrainian economy and global food supplies.

While in Odesa, the Foreign Secretary also announced support to Ukrainians directly impacted by the invasion.

This includes providing essential winter supplies and support for people being evacuated from front line areas. The UK is providing £10 million for Ukraine’s Red Cross Society (URCS) appeal to provide medical supplies to communities directly affected by Russia’s aggression and to support URCS as a first responder.

The UK will also provide more than £7 million to a consortium led by Nonviolent Peaceforce, which is supporting volunteer organisations delivering humanitarian assistance in dangerous front line locations. The UK is also providing an additional £1.4 million to Mercy Corps’ ongoing and live-saving work in Ukraine.

The Black Sea Grain Initiative, which collapsed in July 2023 due to Russia’s withdrawal, was a UN initiative to ensure the exports of Ukrainian food and fertiliser from three key ports in the Black Sea, including Odesa.

Russia’s cynical withdrawal from the programme drove up global food prices and risked the lives of the world’s most vulnerable, with Ukrainian grain exports crucial in ensuring global food security and resilient global markets, keeping prices down and supplementing poor harvests elsewhere.

Since Russia collapsed the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI), Ukraine has worked to open up a Black Sea export corridor for its own economy and for global food supplies. It has pushed back the Russian fleet, protected its coastline and the corridor, and established insurance mechanisms for civilian shipping, all of which have ensured that shipping can re-start. The UK continues to work with Ukraine and other partners to establish routes for Ukrainian exports and to prevent and deter Russian attacks.

Meanwhile, Russian forces have attacked key infrastructure, destroying more than 280,000 tonnes of grain in one month, enough to feed 1.25 million people for a year. These attacks are a brutal and blatant attempt by Russia to choke the Ukrainian economy at a cost to global food supplies.

Background

• the UK strongly condemned Russia’s decision to withdraw from the BSGI in July 2023
• the UK is currently working with Ukraine and other partners to increase the capacity of European overland routes and Danube ports

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 November 2023.

Statement by UK Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN Security Council meeting on the subsidiary bodies of the Security Council.

Thank you, President, thank you for the Chairs for this briefing, and for your combined leadership of our counter-terrorist efforts. The Council has been lucky to have such effective and dynamic chairmanship, and chairwomanship, from the UAE, Malta, and Ecuador through the course of the year.

The UK is particularly grateful to the new Chair of the 1540 Committee for his drive since Ecuador took on this role at the start of the year. We commend the Chair for securing Committee agreement for a programme of work to take forward the actions agreed in Security Council Resolution 2663 and we welcome the Chair’s intention for the Committee to develop voluntary guidelines.

However, despite the best intentions of the Chair and the constructive approach by the majority of Committee Members, progress and provision of support to States has once again been impeded.

It is disappointing that two members have maintained their hold on the process to replace the 1540 Committee Group of Experts since April of this year, and that a Permanent Member is now blocking the Committee’s external engagement activities.

This situation severely undermines our ability to support states to implement a resolution that is designed to prevent chemical, biological, and nuclear weapons and related material getting into the hands of non-state actors, including terrorists.

It is hard to understand why any country – let alone a Permanent Member of this Council – would want to stymie those efforts.

The UK appreciates the continued efforts of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and its Chair to tackle the global scourge of terrorism and protect all of our citizens. The terrorist threat is evolving and remains with us.

Terrorist groups, including Al-Qaeda and Daesh affiliates, continue to seek to spread hatred and fear around the world using new technologies and taking advantage of regional instability. The work of the Counter-Terrorism Committee has to evolve to stay ahead of this. For our work to be effective, the perspectives of technical experts, civil society, and the private sector are invaluable.

We also commend the work of the 1267 Committee and its Chair. The Monitoring Team’s analysis of the evolving threat and effectiveness of sanctions remains a crucial resource for Member States. We welcome work by the Chair, Secretariat and Ombudsperson to uphold transparency and due process. These are critical to ensure that the 1267 regime retains the broad support and legitimacy that it needs.

President, despite the distinct mandates for each of the Committees, they share a common purpose – to tackle the persistent and significant threat to international peace and security posed by terrorist groups and non-state actors.

Only through the effective and coordinated implementation of the mandates of these three Committees can we address the threat together. We must redouble these efforts.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 15 November 2023.

UK military advisor, Nicholas Aucott, says Putin’s regime has long sought to rewrite public memory and manipulate history.