Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 26 July 2023.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson statement on North Korea’s ballistic missile launches overnight on 24 July.

North Korea’s ballistic missile launches overnight on 24 July are a breach of multiple UN Security Council resolutions. Illegal ballistic missile launches continue to destabilise the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula.

The UK will always call out these violations of UNSCRs. We strongly urge North Korea to return to dialogue and take credible steps towards denuclearisation.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 July 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on West Africa and the Sahel.

Let me start by congratulating SRSG Simão on his appointment and thank him and ECOWAS Commission President Touray for their briefing. I will make three points focusing on democracy, security and humanitarian issues.

First, while welcoming the democratic progress in parts of the region, the United Kingdom is concerned by democratic uncertainty and shrinkage of civic space in some countries.

Progress towards the restoration of constitutional governments in Mali, Burkina Faso and Guinea has been too slow.

We need to redouble our collective efforts to hold transitional administrations to account on election timetables. We urge UNOWAS to continue supporting countries to conduct free and fair elections and note with concern the recent election discrepancies in Sierra Leone.

Second, we remain concerned about the Sahel region’s deteriorating security situation and instability, including the risk of its spreading to the coastal states.

We look forward to the SG’s forthcoming transition plan for MINUSMA, including how UNOWAS can support Mali’s transition and peace agreement.

The United Kingdom remains committed to protecting civilian rights. That is why we are concerned by the damage being done by the Russian mercenary group Wagner across the region.

Their track record proves Wagner has not and cannot deliver long-term security. From Mali to Ukraine, and even Russia, all Wagner offers is chaos and destruction – and it is civilians who suffer most.

Now, that President Putin has acknowledged Wagner is funded by the Russian state after years of denial, we call on Russia to hold accountable those responsible for its human rights abuses, rapes and killings.

We welcome increased regional security coordination, including the Accra Initiative.

We encourage efforts that provide coordinated and targeted support, including those that are complementary to wider regional initiatives.

The UK is also reinforcing African security through our contributions to multilateral peacekeeping and conflict prevention. And our bilateral security partnerships, including with Ghana and Nigeria and bilateral humanitarian and development funding.

Third, the humanitarian situation in the Sahel remains dire, including pockets of famine in Burkina Faso.

It is essential humanitarian actors are allowed safe and unimpeded access. And as we’ve heard today, the humanitarian and security challenges are exacerbated by climate change.

In closing, we look forward to continuing working in partnership with UNOWAS and ECOWAS to help address these complex regional challenges and build regional peace and security.

We join those members in calling for adoption of a PRST [Presidential Statement] to underpin our support for the mission of UNOWAS.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 July 2023.

James Cleverly is on a 3-day visit to Qatar, Kuwait, and Jordan, which will emphasise the UK’s growing partnership with the region.

• James Cleverly to begin 3-day visit to Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan today (July 25)
• Foreign Secretary will emphasise the UK’s growing partnership with the region – with Gulf countries and Jordan set to benefit from the UK’s new visa travel scheme
• he will also announce funding to support women and girls and to help the most vulnerable refugees in Jordan

The Foreign Secretary will travel to the Middle East today (Tuesday 25 July) on a 3-day tour to emphasise the UK’s growing, mutually-beneficial partnerships with the region.

The visit, which will include Qatar, Kuwait and Jordan, comes after the government recently announced that citizens from Gulf countries and Jordan will benefit from the UK’s new Electronic Travel Authorisation visa scheme, which will make travel to the UK cheaper and easier for visitors.

All 3 countries are also important energy, defence and security partners for the UK, and trade and investment with the Gulf is vital to support the Prime Minister’s priorities to grow the economy. UK trade with Qatar and Kuwait was worth £18.1 billion last year alone.

In Jordan, the Foreign Secretary will announce up to £1.5 million to support initiatives for women and girls. The funding will go towards civil society organisations.

He will also meet with representatives from UNHCR (the UN’s refugee agency) and the World Food Programme where he will announce funding of £30 million over 3 years to provide cash assistance and support to the poorest refugees. This will cover their basic food and living needs – reaching an estimated 70,000 refugees per year in the camps and host communities.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

I am delighted to be back in the Middle East. The UK’s mutually beneficial relationships with the Gulf and Jordan continue to thrive. We have a bright future together.

From working together on shared goals like developing stronger trade ties and security, I am proud of how we are collaborating for the benefit of us all.

The UK also remains committed to supporting refugees and host communities, collaborating with our partners to help the most vulnerable in the region.

In Qatar today, the Foreign Secretary will meet with the Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.

He will then travel to Kuwait to meet His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and explore opportunities to strengthen cooperation.

In Jordan on Thursday, he will meet with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Safadi.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 July 2023.

Ambassador Neil Holland says that Russia’s attacks on Odesa’s cathedral, city centre, and grain facilities are inexcusable and must cease.

Thank you, Mr Chair. At last week’s Permanent Council, I spoke of the depressing predictability of attacks on Ukraine’s grain infrastructure almost the moment Russia had withdrawn from the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI). Since then, the Russian Federation has added an appalling list of civilian, cultural and religious sites to the list targeted by days of sustained missile attacks in Odesa. On Sunday, Russia struck Odesa’s Transfiguration Cathedral, as well as the surrounding UNESCO-listed town centre. This is in violation of the 1954 Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict. The cathedral offered its congregation a place to worship, pray, and come together. By attacking it, Russia has attacked the heart of a civilian community. This is an act of cultural and religious vandalism.

Russia’s attacks on Odesa are part of its systematic efforts to deliberately prevent Ukrainian grain exports and threaten the world’s food supply. The people of Odesa are killed, wounded, and traumatised by Russian aggression. Grain and shipping facilities are destroyed. Exports cannot leave port. The world’s most vulnerable are directly harmed by Russia’s illegal and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. By unilaterally forcing the collapse of the BSGI and then attacking grain infrastructure, Russia has used food as a weapon. It is knowingly preventing grain reaching those in Africa and Asia who need it most.

There are reports that Russia is now offering to supply grain to vulnerable countries in Africa. We should be under no illusion that this is somehow a generous or humanitarian gesture by Russia. If that were the case, Russia would not be ruining Ukraine’s ability to export grain. Grain which accounts for much of the World Food Programme’s global wheat supply, and which is sent to countries around the world who are in great need of it, particularly in Africa. By withdrawing from the BSGI, up to 24 million tonnes of grain and other foodstuffs from Ukraine’s upcoming harvest may now not reach global markets. If Russia was truly serious about global food security, it would withdraw its forces from Ukraine and end its illegal war.

Mr Chair, history teaches us that these inhumane attacks on Odesa will not succeed in breaking the spirit of the Ukrainian people. In 1936, the Transfiguration Cathedral was destroyed on Stalin’s orders. But it was rebuilt by Ukraine and stood again. Despite the damage and terror caused by Russia’s latest missile strikes, the people of Odesa are already uniting in the recovery effort. A neighbouring congregation has helped to clear the wreckage inside the cathedral. Others cleared the shattered glass from the grass and flowers around the cathedral. This selfless bravery and unity have characterised how the Ukrainian people have stood firm in the face of Russia’s destruction. Ukraine will win this war, and we will stand by it for as long as it takes. Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 July 2023.

FCDO statement on Israel Judicial Reforms.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 July 2023.

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

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 July 2023.

UK Ambassador to the WTO in Geneva, Simon Manley, spoke on subjects, including the 13th Ministerial Conference, at the Trade Negotiations Committee.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 July 2023.

The FCDO has issued a statement following elections in Cambodia.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

The UK is a long-term partner in Cambodia’s prosperity and stability, and believes progress in these areas is best sustained through a democratic political culture that supports open discussion of diverse perspectives.

Democratic elections depend on credible, open, and fair competition. We regret that these elections were preceded by a narrowing of the political space, including the disqualification of the main opposition Candlelight Party earlier this year, resulting in an election that was neither free nor fair. The UK views this as a missed opportunity to strengthen Cambodia’s democracy.

The UK remains committed to supporting efforts to enhance democratic processes and civic space in Cambodia, and to supporting the people of Cambodia.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 July 2023.

UK government backing enables completion of a 286km electric railway in southern Turkey, connecting major cities with a high-speed, lower-carbon route.

• €781m support unlocked by UK Export Finance – equivalent to £680m – will enable Rönesans Holding to finish construction of a high-speed electrified railway connecting Mersin with the cities of Adana, Osmaniye and Gaziantep
• Offering a lower-emission transport link between Turkey’s second-largest container port and inland cities over 150 miles away, the railway is expected to reduce CO2e emissions by over 150,000 tonnes a year
• UKEF’s backing creates multimillion-pound export contract opportunities for UK suppliers to the rail sector

UK Export Finance (UKEF), the UK government’s export credit agency, has underwritten €781m of financing – equivalent to £680m – to support construction of a 286km high-speed electric railway in southern Turkey.

With financing provided through UKEF’s Buyer Credit Facility, Rönesans Holding will finish construction of the Mersin-Adana-Gaziantep High Speed Railway on behalf of the Turkish Ministry of Transport.

The deal is expected to create new, multimillion-pound export contract opportunities for the UK’s infrastructure, engineering and project management sectors, supporting the Prime Minister’s priority of growing the UK economy.

This signals key future opportunities for UK exporters, with Rönesans Holding – one of Europe’s ten largest construction companies – intending to use the high-speed rail project to build its wider relationships with the UK supply chain.

Lord Offord, Minister for Exports, said:

The UK-Turkey trading relationship is going from strength to strength. Last year, UK exports to Turkey reached £8.5 billion, and this week we announced plans for an updated trade deal that will further boost exports and imports between our countries.

UK Export Finance’s backing for this transformative high-speed railway adds to this success story. This deal shows that the UK, home to the world’s first railway system, still moves full steam ahead with its export of railroad innovation and expertise.

UKEF’s backing – which has been given on the condition that UK exporters supply to the project – will support continued economic growth in the UK, in line with the government’s priorities; Rönesans Holding has already engaged with UK suppliers to negotiate contracts for electronic infrastructure, ESG consultancy services, catenary and mechanical components.

UKEF worked in partnership with J.P. Morgan, ING Bank and BNP Paribas, who provided the loan, as well as SACE and OeKB – the Italian and Austrian export credit agencies providing reinsurance – to secure this landmark deal for Turkish rail infrastructure.

Dr. Erman Ilıcak, President of Rönesans Holding, said:

We’re thrilled to be working with UKEF, JP Morgan, ING and BNP to secure a deal that will enable a landmark shift in the Turkish construction of rail links and the high-speed railway project.

By upgrading the existing railway line to a high standard railway line, we will be actively reducing negative environmental impact while offering a lower-carbon travel alternative and significantly enhancing the region’s industrial connectivity and trade. Rönesans Holding takes immense pride in contributing to Turkey’s national environmental goals and infrastructure advancement.

Our fruitful collaboration with British Exporters has secured €781m in financing for the transformative high-speed electrified railway in southern Turkey, adding tremendous value to the cooperation between Türkiye and UK exports and services while paving the way for exciting global partnerships.

John Meakin, Global Head of Export and Agency Finance at J.P. Morgan, said:

This project is expected to reduce traffic congestion on the motorways and promote more sustainable transportation in the region. We are honoured to have the responsibility to deliver the financing for this impactful project while supporting UK exporters providing goods, services and notable technical expertise.

In replacing the current railway, which relies on diesel locomotives, the electrified line will provide a lower-carbon alternative to existing routes between Mersin and Gaziantep. Project forecasts suggest that the completed route will save 157,000 tonnes in CO2e emissions in its first year alone.

The UKEF-backed project will also contribute directly to Turkey’s objective of increasing high-speed railway coverage to 10,000km, by creating a rail link greater than the distance between Cardiff and London.

Able to carry trains travelling up to 200 km/h, this transport link is a major step forwards for regional infrastructure and growth. The high-speed railway will reduce the travel time from Gaziantep – via regional cities Adana and Osmaniye – to Mersin by four hours; Mersin is the second largest container port in the country and a thriving city of over one million people.

Treasury and Finance Minister for Türkiye, Mehmet Şimşek, said:

Mersin, Adana and Gaziantep are among the highly industrialised and important cities of the region with their deep-rooted cultural heritage. This project will ensure a reduction of transportation costs, decrease travel time between Mersin and Gaziantep and strengthen our railway connectivity.

In this regard, this project is crucial for economic, social and environmental integration. We are very grateful to our trading partner UKEF for their contribution to this important project, which will expand the national railway network.

The most important aim of the project is to improve the rail connectivity and create a sustainable alternative transportation scheme in Türkiye. We look forward to continuing our fruitful collaboration with new projects on the way of development of Türkiye.

Gaziantep, the railway’s eastern terminus, was near the epicentre of the 7.8 magnitude earthquake which struck Turkey in February 2023. The UKEF-backed project for completing this railway will also contribute to reconstruction in Gaziantep, Osmaniye and other areas of southern Turkey severely damaged in this disaster.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 July 2023.

A group of leading Pacific female football players and officials arrive in Sydney this week for a special sports diplomacy programme linked to the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023™.