Tag: Foreign Office

PRESS RELEASE : First Central America Association Ministerial Council held in London [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 31 October 2023.

The first United Kingdom Central America Association (UK-CAAA) ministerial Council has taken place in London, to discuss issues including co-operation and trade.

The inaugural meeting, which took place on 16 and 26 October, saw Central American Foreign Ministers, Trade Ministers and Ambassadors come together to discuss the three pillars of the UK-CAAA Agreement, with sessions on Political Dialogue, Co-operation, and Trade. A further Plenary session welcomed progress on the implementation of the Agreement.

Delegates from Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama met with Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Minister, David Rutley, and Department of Business and Trade Minister, Nigel Huddleston.

Minister for the Americas, David Rutley, chaired sessions on politics and co-operation – two pillars that are central to the 2019 Agreement. He said:

Our relationship with Central America continues to go from strength to strength and I am delighted that we have hosted the inaugural meeting of the UK Central America Association Council here in London.

This is an important partnership. We continue to foster cooperation and work together on a broad range of issues, from trade to the environment, so we can deliver on our shared objectives.

Discussions covered topics including regional integration, climate, environment, human rights, and migration, and it was agreed that a political dialogue sub-committee within the Agreement would be established to enable further progress to be made.

UK Minister for Trade, Nigel Huddleston, met with trade ministers from the Central American nations to discuss ways of advancing trade between members of the UK-CAAA. He said:

This event is a perfect opportunity to boost our £2.7 billion trading relationship with this vibrant region by identifying trade priorities and unlocking barriers standing in the way of businesses. I was delighted to meet with trade ministers from across Central America to foster closer trade ties which will fuel economic growth, jobs, and exciting new opportunities for British companies.

A reception took place at Lancaster House following the conclusion of the first day of the Council on 16 October. In attendance were MPs from the Central America all-party parliamentary group as well as leading members from the business and academic community leading on Central America matters.

Members of the Council meet every four years, with an official-level Committee annually.

03/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Our efforts have focussed on the protection of civilians, humanitarian access, and the release of hostages: UK statement at the UN Security Council [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 October 2023.

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

Thank you, President.

I’d like to thank Commissioner-General Lazzarini, Executive Director Russell and Director Doughten for your stark and clear briefings.

Let me start by recognising the courage, commitment and sacrifice of UN employees and humanitarian workers in Gaza, and in particular the 103 aid workers – including the 64 UNRWA staff – who have been killed in Gaza in the last 22 days.

We also offer our sincere condolences to all Palestinians and Israelis who have suffered or lost loved ones.

Since Hamas’ terrorist attack against Israel on 7 October, the United Kingdom has underscored Israel’s right to self-defence against terrorism. We continue to be clear that this must be done in accordance with international humanitarian law.

Our efforts, with our international partners, have focussed on the protection of civilians, securing and scaling up humanitarian access, and the release of hostages. Sadly, despite these efforts the situation in Gaza deteriorates daily. Hamas bears sole responsibility for starting this conflict.

President, I would like to highlight three priorities.

First, we call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law, including the principles of proportionality, distinction and necessity. This requires all parties to take every possible step to avoid the harming of civilians and the immediate and unconditional release of hostages.

Second, we must urgently co-operate to scale up aid into Gaza, and to ensure sufficient access points are open. For this to happen successfully there needs to be a safer environment, which necessitates humanitarian pauses. We support UN-led efforts in this regard.

Since the latest escalation in Gaza, the UK has committed over $36 million in additional aid to the Occupied Palestinian Territories. An RAF flight arrived in Egypt on 25 October carrying 21 tonnes of UK aid for Gaza. But the access environment needs to improve immediately so that these and other lifesaving resources can reach the people who desperately need them.

Third, we cannot allow this conflict to spread. We call on all countries in the region to help avoid escalation and warn non-state actors not to exploit the current situation.

President, the Palestinian Authority has a key role as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian people. We call on Israel and other states to support the PA. We call on Israeli authorities to tackle the rising number of settler attacks and killings in the occupied West Bank, recalling that it is their responsibility to protect Palestinian civilians there.

The UK retains the long-term goal of a Two State Solution with Israel and Palestine coexisting peacefully.

To reach that goal, we have a responsibility to ensure a plan for Gaza that offers the population hope, security, stability, prosperity, and effective governance so that their political wishes can be fulfilled. In this regard, some fundamental principles apply.

There should be no mass displacement of Gazans to neighbouring countries. The Palestinian Authority should play a central role. And nothing should be done that cuts across progress towards a Two State Solution, with Gaza as an integral part of a Palestinian state.

Thank you, President.

03/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK Minister visits Chile to strengthen collaboration and celebrate 200 years of bilateral relations [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 October 2023.

Minister Rutley and Chile’s Under-Secretary for Foreign Affairs will sign a joint commitment to work together to enhance the protections for the Antarctic.

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s Minister for the Americas and the Caribbean, David Rutley MP, arrives today in Chile to strengthen collaboration between the UK and Chile, as both nations celebrate 200 years of bilateral relations.

While in the country, Minister Rutley, together with Chile’s Under Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Gloria de la Fuente, will sign a joint commitment to work together to enhance the protections for the Antarctic.

The Letter of Intent on Antarctic Co-operation reaffirms both countries commitment to enhancing environmental protection for the Antarctic and to ensuring that it remains a region that is dedicated to peace and scientific research.

During his visit minister Rutley will also meet young climate leaders who have been selected by Chile to attend COP28 later this year. He will hear about their work with the British Embassy Chile and discuss the efforts of both countries to mitigate the impacts of climate change and achieve the roadmap to net zero.

The Minister will then go on to Villa Grimaldi, a former detention centre during Chile’s dictatorship to demonstrate the UK’s strong commitment to democracy and human rights, and to mark the 50th anniversary of the military coup in Chile and reflect on the suffering it caused.

His visit to the country also includes a trip to the Araucanía Region to meet and engage with members of the indigenous community, as well as regional authorities and local organisations that promote women’s entrepreneurship.

FCDO Americas Minister David Rutley MP said:

It is an honour to be able to visit Chile as we celebrate 200 years of bilateral relations.

Ours is a friendship underpinned by longstanding historical links, shared values and commitment to democracy, and we’re putting that into action this week with a clear commitment to extend our landmark co-operation agreement on the Antarctic.

03/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Aid and political solutions are needed to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Syria – UK statement at the UN Security Council [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 October 2023.

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

Thank you, President, and I join others in thanking Special Envoy Pedersen and Director Wosornu for their briefings.

As we have heard today, this remains a live conflict and an entrenched humanitarian crisis. I want to set out three tangible steps that would improve the situation for the people of Syria and these overlap very closely with Special Envoy Pedersen’s four priorities.

Firstly, we need to ensure sustainable, predictable and efficient aid flows across the whole of Syria. There is no substitute for cross-border access to deliver for people in the North West. Short term, last minute agreements are inappropriate.

As Director Wosornu just said, we must insist that cross-border access is granted for as long as humanitarian needs demand, across all three crossing points.

We have also heard that humanitarian funding remains inadequate. The UK continues to be a top donor for Syrians in humanitarian need, pledging up to $180 million this year alone. But as a donor, we are concerned that 17 cents of every dollar in aid being sent to UN agencies based in Damascus is being lost to the regime who manipulate exchange rates for their benefit.

Secondly, at a fragile moment for the region all parties should be focused on avoiding further escalation of conflict elsewhere in the Middle East. We are concerned at reports of increased Iranian-affiliated militia activity, and increasing hostilities between Israel and militia groups in southern Syria. We call on the regime to prioritise de-escalation and to focus on fostering stability and prosperity.

Thirdly, this backdrop of violence in the region underscores even more urgently the need for a viable political process in Syria. We call on the regime to act in good faith and engage.

Thus far, attempts at normalisation have not borne fruit. Insecurity persists, the captagon trade continues, and the safe, dignified and voluntary return of refugees remains out of reach. The UK’s position has not changed – we will not engage Damascus without evidence of genuine, consistent behaviour change.

Resolution 2254 provides the framework to deliver an inclusive and sustainable political process. The Constitutional Committee has been deadlocked for too long. We strongly support efforts to convene a meeting, with the Syrian parties alone if necessary, in Geneva later this year.

Thank you, President.

03/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : UK supports moratorium on deep sea mining to protect ocean and marine ecosystems [October 2023]
The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 October 2023.

UK announces support for moratorium on granting of exploitation licences for deep sea mining by the International Seabed Authority.

The UK government has today announced its support for measures designed to protect the world’s ocean and improve the conservation of marine biodiversity.

Ahead of International Seabed Authority (ISA) negotiations starting today, and a month ahead of COP28, the UK government has announced its support for a moratorium on the granting of exploitation licences for deep sea mining projects – which involve the extraction of minerals such as precious metals, copper and cobalt – by the ISA.

This means the UK will not sponsor or support the issuing of any such licences until sufficient scientific evidence is available to assess the potential impact of deep sea mining activities on marine ecosystems and strong, enforceable environmental regulations, standards and guidelines have been developed and adopted by the ISA.

The UK is an international advocate for the highest possible environmental standards and has been pushing the ISA to develop strong and enforceable environmental regulations, standards and guidelines on deep sea mining.

To support this, a new UK-based environmental science expert network on deep sea mining will be launched to gather scientific data and increase the effective use of the UK’s world-class research through cross-disciplinary learning. This will build on the independent evidence review on deep sea mining carried out by independent experts following a government commission in 2022.

The network will bring together the UK’s environmental science expertise to help fill the current evidence gaps on the environmental impact of deep sea mining and share internationally.

Environment Secretary Thérèse Coffey said:

The UK is a global leader when it comes to protecting the marine environment. That is why we will use our scientific expertise to fully understand the impact of deep sea mining on precious ecosystems; and in the meantime, we will not support or sponsor any exploitation licences.

This work will go alongside our wider efforts to conserve and enhance precious marine habitats around the world.

The Rt Hon Andrew Mitchell MP, Minister of State (Development and Africa) said:

The UK is an international advocate for the highest possible environmental standards and we will keep pushing for strong and enforceable regulations, standards and guidelines for deep-sea mining. Until we fully understand the impact of deep-sea mining on our marine ecosystems, it is right that we seek to protect them.

Clare Brook, CEO of Blue Marine Foundation, said:

Deep-sea mining threatens some of the rarest and most vulnerable ecosystems on Earth. Blue Marine is therefore delighted to see the UK supporting a moratorium on deep-sea mining, along with other leading economies such as Germany, France and Sweden.

There are cheaper, cleaner and more secure ways of producing minerals as the world transitions to net zero without causing the catastrophic and permanent destruction of fragile ocean life.

Blue Marine welcomes the Government’s proposal to convene a UK scientific expert group on deep-sea mining, which would underline the UK’s position as a leading voice in ocean conservation.

The measures set out today further demonstrate the UK’s commitment towards ocean conservation and protection.

Over recent years, the UK has:
- Committed to protecting at least 30% of the global ocean by 2030 through a network of Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Other Effective Area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs), and driven this forward through UK-chaired Global Ocean Alliance
- Supported developing countries to protect the marine environment through projects to protect and restore habitats such as mangroves, coral reefs and seagrasses through the £500 million Blue Planet Fund
- Tackled the scourge of plastic pollution, recently consulting on a ban on wet wipes containing plastic, as part of efforts to eliminate all avoidable plastic waste by 2042
- Designated the first three Highly Protected Marine areas in English waters, enabling nature to fully recover by removing all harmful activities including fishing, construction and dredging, increasing marine biodiversity and supporting climate-resilient ecosystems to thrive
- Created a network of 178 marine protected areas across 35,000 square miles of English waters, with a commitments for 70% of designated features to be in a favourable position by 2042
This action will support the delivery of targets in the UK’s Environment Act, underpinned by its Environment Improvement Plan – the five-year blueprint for action to halt and reverse the decline of nature.
03/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Condemning Hamas’ terrorism should not be controversial – UK at the UN General Assembly [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 October 2023.

UK statement following the UN General Assembly vote on the Jordanian draft resolution on the situation in Gaza, Friday 27 October 2023.

The UK abstained on the Jordanian-drafted resolution.

We welcome the draft’s call for all parties to respect International Humanitarian Law, including the protection of civilians, for the immediate release of hostages and for full and sustained humanitarian access.

These are UK priorities and we have been working tirelessly with partners to achieve these on the ground, including the UK Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary’s engagements with Egypt to open the Rafah crossing to get aid to the Palestinian people.

We are proud to have pledged an additional $37 million in UK aid to help civilians in Gaza since the beginning of the crisis. The UK Prime Minister has been clear that we recognise the need for humanitarian pauses to deliver this aid safely and in a sustained way.

We also welcome the draft’s emphasis on preventing regional escalation of the conflict. It is in no-one’s interest for this conflict to spread.

However, we are deeply disappointed with the draft’s omission of an unequivocal condemnation of Hamas’ terrorist attacks that killed over 1,400 people and took over 200 hostages last week. This should not be controversial.

That is why we voted in favour of the Canadian amendment which would have corrected this.

But we cannot vote for a resolution that is silent on the largest terror attack in Israel’s history.

Hamas has embedded itself in civilian populations, is still holding civilians hostage, and firing rockets at Israel while using Palestinians as human shields. It is clear that Israel is under attack by terrorists and is entitled under international law to defend itself. Any resolution on the situation in Gaza and Israel should be unequivocal on that too.

This is why we abstained on this resolution.

We will continue to work closely with Israel, Palestine, the UN and our partners in the region to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. To ensure that civilians are protected and have access to food, water, medicine, and shelter. And to work towards the peace and stability which can only be achieved by working towards a sustainable Two State Solution.

02/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s sourcing of weapons from sanctioned states poses a serious risk to international peace and security – UK statement at the UN Security Council [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 October 2023.

UK Political Coordinator Fergus Eckersley at the UN Security Council meeting on Ukraine.

Thank you, President.

Colleagues, Russia wishes to address weapons proliferation. In a happy coincidence, the UK would also like to address weapons proliferation. But that may be the only thing we agree on today.

Russia has spent the last two decades flouting its obligations in arms control and disarmament. Its systematic efforts to undermine this architecture has only accelerated since its invasion of Ukraine. Russia’s withdrawal from the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty is yet another step in this direction. Along with its announcement that it will withdraw ratification of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty.

This follows rejection of the Vienna Document modification, withdrawal from Open Skies, violation of the Intermediate Nuclear Forces Treaty and suspension of its participation in New Start.

Let us turn to the situation in Ukraine. Russia’s sourcing of weapons from heavily sanctioned states such as North Korea and Iran violate UN Security Council resolutions, undermines Security Council credibility, and pose a serious risk to international peace and security.

The Russian delegation held up Western weapons fragments today as if that was a big reveal. It isn’t. We are open about the support we provide. Russia on the other hand, still deny that they receive weapons from Iran and North Korea because they know that it is illegal.

Russia has destroyed schools, hospitals, grain silos and energy facilities. It has deployed hypersonic missiles, one-way attack drones and a cruise missile with a range of over 2,000km. Its use of conventional anti-personnel mines and improvised booby traps, including in children’s toys.

The UK and others’ provision of weapons to Ukraine is in support of Ukraine’s defence of its sovereign territory against Russia’s illegal invasion.

The weapons the international community are providing to Ukraine are not what is prolonging this war.

The only obstacle to peace here is Russia.

Thank you.

02/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Hope and humanity must win out against the scourge of aggression and terrorism – Lord Ahmad statement at the UN General Assembly [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 October 2023.

Statement by Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon at the UN General Assembly tenth emergency special session on Gaza.

Thank you, Mr President.

May I begin by expressing our deep appreciation, our deep appreciation for this institution, the United Nations, and indeed all of our humanitarian partners for their incredible efforts, life-saving efforts, in what are the most challenging of circumstances.

And at this point, I also want to share our sincerest of condolences for the 30 UNRWA staff and the 16 medical staff who have lost their lives since the 7th of October. Equally, we record our sincere condolences to the victims and the families of the horrendous Hamas’ terrorist attacks on the 7th of October on Israel. And equally, we extend our condolences to the families of the innocent Palestinians who have been killed in this tragic conflict. Inna lillahi wa inna ilayhi raji’un. To God we belong to God. We return. Your Excellencies, Mr. President, every life, every life that is lost is a tragedy, not just for a family in Israel or Gaza or the West Bank, but it is a loss for all of humanity, an Israeli life or a Palestinian life, irrespective of being Jewish, Christian or Muslim. Every life matters. Every life lost is a tragedy. Therefore, as we recall the tragic consequences of what we are witnessing, we call on all parties to respect international humanitarian law. Yes, this means the unconditional release of the hostages and taking every possible step to avoid the harming of civilians and importantly, enabling unhindered humanitarian access.

We all know it has been said from this podium countless times during this debate that the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is growing. On our part, the United Kingdom has provided an additional $37 million to help provide water, to help provide food and medicine and fuel in Gaza. And in this regard, may we put on record our thanks to the tireless work of the Secretary-General and the United Nations to ensure this lifesaving aid reaches those most in need. Whilst we welcome the important first step of 54 trucks passing through Rafah Border Crossing, we urge the scaling up of this assistance, including to enable fuel for civilian use to pass into Gaza, vital to keep hospitals and the humanitarian response running. And these humanitarian pauses are an important part of ensuring that this can happen. Turning to the attacks on Israel on the 7th of October, my Prime Minister has been clear: the United Kingdom stands with Israel in the face of Hamas’ terrorist attacks. We will always support an ally against a terrorist attack and its right to self-defence. But this must be, I assure you, Mr President, and we make that case, it must be within international humanitarian law. And if I may just put also from a personal perspective as a muslim: terrorism is evil.Every terror act is against humanity, and we should condemn it unequivocally.

So, Mr President, the draft resolution in front of us could have been clearer on this very point. It should also, in our view, unequivocally condemn these terror attacks, Hamas’ terror attacks that killed over 1400 people. And as we know at this very time, hold over 200 hostages. However, we have equally been clear that all possible precautions and steps are taken to minimise harm to civilians in this conflict and indeed, for any movement of civilians to be both voluntary and safe.

Mr President. We stand at a crucial juncture. Yet in this moment of darkness. Let us come together, this United Nations, that we come together and not lose sight of the promise that this United Nations holds true of a two-state solution: a secure, safe Israel side by side with a viable Palestinian state. And I assure you of this, that we, the United Kingdom, will continue to work closely with all partners in the region and beyond in these efforts, because peace must prevail, and to prevent the situation from spreading and causing wider insecurity and instability.

It was my Prime Minister who said hope and humanity must win against the scourge of aggression and terrorism. Love over hate. Light over darkness. Peace. Shalom. Salam.

Thank you.

02/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Russia’s continued disregard for human life cannot, and will not, be overlooked: UK statement to the OSCE [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 October 2023.

UK Counsellor, Ankur Narayan, says that while Russia is sending its poorly equipped soldiers to their deaths, Ukraine is doing all it can to protect its citizens.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Over 600 days into Russia’s brutal war of aggression, Russian forces have shown nothing but contempt towards the civilian population of Ukraine. The Russian delegate has sat in this Forum and condemned others for violence against civilians, acts of terrorism and indiscriminate attacks. When will the Russian government apply the same principles to its own conduct?

As Russia increases its attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, so the devastation increases for innocent people in Ukraine. This past weekend, six civilians were killed and 17 injured, when a Russian missile reduced a postal distribution centre to rubble in Kharkiv oblast. The victims, aged between 19 and 42, had no time to flee from this reprehensible attack. Of the 17 injured, seven are reported to be in a critical condition. Madam Chair, Russia’s continued disregard for human life cannot, and will not, be overlooked. The UK and our international partners will help to ensure that those responsible are held to account.

Last week, the UK spoke of Russia’s isolation in continuing to justify its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Since then, Russia’s desperation has become even more apparent. Russia has sourced arms from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea to be used against Ukraine. This violates UN Security Council Resolutions, including Resolutions for which Russia itself voted in favour. Nothing seems off limits to Russia, whose soldiers are fighting a prolonged, yet ultimately, losing battle.

According to reports, Russia has suffered over 200,000 casualties since February 2022. In Avdiivka, entrenched Ukrainian forces have so far held back the Russian advance, with the latter sustaining heavy equipment and personnel losses. Despite these heavy losses, Russia continues to send more and more personnel to the Avdiivka region. This is further evidence of how little the Russian government values the lives of its own people.

While Russia is sending its poorly equipped soldiers to their deaths, Ukraine is doing all it can to protect its citizens from Russian aggression. And that is why the UK will continue to support Ukraine with military and non-military aid as long as it is necessary.

Madam Chair, the UK will continue to stand in solidarity with Ukraine, as the brave Ukrainian people defend their homeland and fight for the simple right to a free, peaceful and prosperous future. Ukraine will win. Thank you.

02/11/2023
PRESS RELEASE : Restoring Sudan’s democratic transition – Troika joint statement [October 2023]

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 October 2023.

The governments of the United States of America, Norway, and the United Kingdom issued a joint statement on a Sudanese civilians meeting.

Statement from the governments of Norway, the UK and the US:

The Troika (Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States) welcomes this week’s meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, of a broad group of Sudanese civilian actors and stakeholders. This is as an important step towards the formation of a genuinely inclusive and representative pro-democracy civilian front.

This gathering speaks to the Sudanese peoples’ commitment to a democratic future. We welcome the fact that, in the midst of an active conflict, a wide array of Sudanese civilian actors from both inside and outside Sudan – including representatives of historically marginalized groups and areas, Resistance Committees, trade unions, professional associations, civil society groups, political parties, new initiatives, and independent national figures – were able to come together for this important initial meeting. We are encouraged that the meeting led to a collective commitment to convene a larger gathering with more diverse representation from Sudan in the coming months.

Sudanese civilians continue to gather throughout Sudan and across the region to discuss their political future. We encourage them to seek areas of convergence, forming a strong pro-democracy civilian front that can begin a process to address transitional and governance issues, and form a national consensus to press the warring parties to stop the fighting and facilitate badly needed humanitarian assistance. Securing a transitional civilian government after the conflict is critical for resuming Sudan’s progress towards democracy. That effort requires broad participation of Sudanese from all walks of life and all parts of the country.

The Troika condemns the continuing violence and tragic loss of life across Sudan. Sudan will continue to require international support and attention. 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, along with supporting displaced persons and other at-risk communities through life-saving humanitarian aid.

02/11/2023