Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 July 2023.

UK Statement: 4th Trade Policy Review of Honduras at the WTO in Geneva, 12 & 14 July 2023. Delivered by the UK’s Ambassador to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

1. Quisiera dar una muy calurosa bienvenida a la delegación de Honduras bajo el liderazgo del Ministro Fredis Cerrato Valladares. Es un placer para mí y para el equipo británico el tener una relación tan fuerte con su delegación aquí en Ginebra.
2. Thanks to our distinguished discussant for her very eloquent and thoughtful comments and to the Secretariat for the preparation of this meeting.
3. Let me start by applauding the efforts of the new government of Honduras to reduce poverty since the 2016 Review under your new female President Ms Xiomara Castro. As the Minister and Ambassador Pagán commented, Honduras’ trade policy has undergone a significant shift towards progressive reform, the impact of which has been palpable for the people of Honduras, but which is felt here even in Geneva thanks to Ambassador Castillo’s Work.
4. We also recognise that your economy still faces some challenges as many economies do. These include how it can attract more foreign investment, boost employment and generate increased tax revenue. In preparing for this review, we have listened to private sector voices who have highlighted to us the challenges that for them remain in terms of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in Honduras that stem from the handling of foreign investment in the special economic zones (ZEDEs) established by the previous government. And I think that engagement and dialogue with the private sector will be an important step in resolving those challenges and restoring the confidence in investing in Honduras. In that effort the UK stands ready as a friend and partner to support you in the effort to reassure companies looking to invest in Honduras of the benefits of that investment.
5. The bilateral relationship that the UK shares with Honduras is only growing stronger. Trade between our two countries has seen a significant increase of almost 40% in the last couple of years, and this has been catalysed by the implementation of the UK-Central America Association Agreement, which is a testament to the committed bilateral relationship that we share, but also as you indicated, an enabler of an ever closer economic and indeed political relationship between us. As you know, our Minister for Latin America, David Rutley, visited Honduras in April 2023 to meet with businesses and with the government to highlight opportunities for boosting our trade relations under the umbrella of this agreement. We hope that this dialogue and positive development is going to continue at the first UK-CAAA Ministerial Council later this year so we can deepen our trade ties and support Honduras with the diversification of its exports. In particular, sectors such as social infrastructure, agriculture, education and clean growth all stand out as areas where significant untapped potential remains if Honduras business environment improves. And the UK is very keen and ready to collaborate to improve this trading environment to enhance our mutually beneficial trading relationship and support to promote economic and social development in Honduras.
6. We also welcome further efforts by the government to combat corruption and increase the transparency of public procurement mechanisms, which would have a positive effect on trade and development. So we very much welcome, in particular, the establishment of a new International Commission against Corruption and Impunity (CICIH). This is a very positive step.
7. I would like to mention the cooperation that we are undertaking in areas such as sustainable infrastructure – which we think can help support development, agritech and sustainable infrastructure – in which we could support Honduras as it seeks to develop and also address issues around resilience in the face of climate change. Building on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed between the United Kingdom and Honduras to implement the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund, which supports our shared objective of tackling biodiversity loss and poverty reduction.
8. We really appreciate, as others have already done, your multilateral effort here in Geneva. In particular we really appreciate the work that Honduras has contributed on dispute settlement reform, which is important to all of us. And let me end by thanking Ambassador Dacio Castillo for his dedication as the chair of the General Council and also the work that he led in preparation for MC12, which was so fundamental to our success, but also his continued contribution here over many years to the work and success of this organisation. Good luck with this review, good luck with your efforts. It is great to have you as a partner.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 July 2023.

Ambassador Neil Holland says the UK remains deeply concerned about ongoing disruptions to the Lachin corridor and hopes momentum will be maintained towards an historic peace agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 20 July 2023.

UK Day 1 Statement: 4th Trade Policy Review of Fiji at the WTO in Geneva, 19 July 2023. Delivered by the UK’s Ambassador to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 July 2023.

The UK Government has announced today (Wednesday 19 July) that, with immediate effect, all Hondurans will need a visa before travelling to the UK, including to visit.

The decision to impose a visa regime has been made because of the sustained and significant increase since 2017 in the number of UK asylum applications from Honduran nationals at the UK border, who have abused the provision to visit the UK for a limited period as non-visa nationals in order to do so. In 2017 there were 9 asylum applications from Honduran nationals. In 2022 there were 789 asylum applications and in the first quarter of 2023 there were 275 asylum applications from Honduran nationals.

The changes, which come into effect immediately, will apply to all Honduran travellers to the UK. However, there will be a four-week transition period until 15:00 BST 16 August during which visitors who booked their travel before 15:00 BST 19 July can still enter the UK.

British Ambassador to Guatemala and Honduras, Nick Whittingham, said:

The changes announced today bring Honduras in line with many other visa national countries with which the UK has strong and friendly relations. Visas provide access to the UK while helping to secure the UK border.

In consultation with the British Embassy in Guatemala City, the UK Government will put in place arrangements to ensure that Honduran travellers can apply for their visitor visas in Honduras, so that they can continue to join the many visitors the UK welcomes from around the world.

A UK Visa Application Centre where travellers can submit their passports and provide biometrics will operate regularly in Honduras. The first session is scheduled to run on 26 July, with the aim of allowing applicants to receive their visas before the end of the transition period on 16 August, and with further sessions scheduled on 27, 28, 31 July and 1 and 2 August, depending on demand.

Visa applications are submitted and paid for online at: Apply to come to the UK, after which applicants book an appointment at a Visa Application Centre Tegucigalpa – VFS Global to provide their biometrics and hand over their passport. The UK Government aims to process applications within 15 UK working days of receipt of the passport and biometrics and applicants can apply up to three months in advance.

The cost of a six-month multiple entry visa for the UK can be found at: UK visa fees – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk). Longer validity visas are also available.

Honduran nationals who booked travel to the UK before 15:00 BST 19 July will still be able to enter the UK without a visa until 15:00 BST 16 August. Any passengers arriving after 15:00 BST 16 August will require a visa to enter the UK regardless of when their travel was booked. Anyone booking their flight after 15:00 BST 19 July will also need a visa, even if they arrive before 15:00 BST 16 August.

Honduran visitors already in the UK will not be affected by the new requirement for the remainder of their visit, but once they leave the UK, they will need a visitor visa in order to enter the UK again.

Hondurans are already required to obtain a visa for other (non-visit) purposes, such as to work or study. Applicants for student or other visas will now have the option to use the new application centre in Honduras, instead of needing to travel to other countries as they have done until now.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 July 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN General Assembly meeting on the use of the veto.

Thank you, President.

Our meeting today is triggered by Russia’s seventeenth veto on Syria.

Again and again, Russia has used their veto to deny humanitarian access to the people of north-west Syria and to obstruct accountability for violence against civilians.

This time, that veto has been particularly cruel.

The UN was crystal clear about what it needs to get humanitarian access to the 4.6 million people in north-west Syria: sustained, predictable access, in line with international humanitarian law, for a minimum of 12 months.

Fourteen members of the Council were ready to agree to a resolution mandating that access. Fourteen members entered into negotiations in good faith, and made compromise after compromise to try to find common ground. And we are grateful to Brazil and Switzerland for their tireless work as co-penholders.
One member alone objected, for purely political reasons. Squabbling about the length of time for which the UN would have humanitarian access. And ultimately using their veto rather than putting in the hard work of negotiating. Down from 12 months, to 6 months, to nothing.

Having avoided negotiations, Russia put down a take it or leave it resolution that was supported by just one other Council member.

Mr President, the UN has been clear that the conditions set out by Syria to deliver aid are unworkable and unacceptable and in contravention of international humanitarian law.

Let us not forget that this is a live conflict. The regime continues to launch aerial assaults against people in north-west Syria. And now it wants to control the aid that reaches them too.

The idea that Syria is acting responsibly here is a cruel joke. The UN is now only able to operate across Bab al Ra’I and Bab al Salam. Those crossings, according to Syria’s terms, are only open for another three and a half weeks. A far cry from the 12 months for which the Secretary-General called.

And to say that OCHA cannot or should not engage with all parties on the ground to secure safe access is in violation of IHL, and of OCHA’s mandate. It puts the safety and security of humanitarian teams at risk. Around the world, humanitarians need to speak to all parties so they can get aid to people who desperately need it. Syria is no different.

As we have heard today, time and again, donors are concerned about what this means for the millions of dollars provided every year in humanitarian assistance to the Syrian people. They are concerned about the safety of civilian humanitarian teams on the ground. And about the transparency and governance arrangements that help them know their aid is getting to the people that need it – not being siphoned off.

So let us be clear. Humanitarian assistance needs to be delivered in line with international humanitarian law. Not held hostage to politics.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 July 2023.

A Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office spokesperson statement on North Korea’s ballistic missile launches on 18 July.

North Korea’s ballistic missile launches on 18 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 continue to call out these flagrant violations of UNSCRs. We strongly urge North Korea to return to dialogue, and to take credible steps towards denuclearisation.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 19 July 2023.

UK military advisor, Ian Stubbs, says that Russia’s military are increasingly aware they are fighting and dying for an unjustified and unprovoked war of choice.

Thank you, Madam Chair. On 17 July, explosions struck the Kerch Strait Bridge. Following the explosions, President Putin vowed a response stating that what had happened had no logic from a military point of view. Madam Chair, let us be clear, opened in 2018 by Putin himself, the construction of the Kerch Strait Bridge was a violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

It is a bridge built by Russia on Ukraine’s territory. It is a bridge that provides Russia with a key logistics link for sustaining its forces in southern Ukraine. It is a bridge that has played a key role in moving heavy military vehicles and equipment as well as fuels, oils and lubricants to the southern front of Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. Accordingly, any substantial damage to this bridge will almost certainly have a significant impact on Russia’s already strained ability to sustain its forces under pressure in southern Ukraine.

Madam Chair, for over 500 days Putin and the Russian military leadership have consistently underestimated the will, determination and courage of the Ukrainian military and civilians to defend their homeland from a brutal and barbaric invader. These miscalculations continue to have a demonstrable and enduring impact on the combat capability of Russian forces.

On 12 July 2023, the Ukrainian Centre for Defence Studies reported the average Russian battalion strength in Zaporizhzhia as 200 troops; that is 30-40% of its regular establishment. This is plausible following recent high intensity combat. Russia has likely also introduced ammunition conservation measures in Zaporizhzhia and Bakhmut, limiting daily expenditure to 12 rounds for some types of gun. Recent Ukrainian strikes on Russian logistic depots are likely partially responsible for reducing Russian materiel reaching the front line.

Russia is also almost certainly struggling with a crisis of combat medical provision, after suffering an average of around 400 casualties a day for 17 months. The influx of military casualties has likely undermined the normal provision of some Russian civilian medical services, especially in border regions near Ukraine. It is likely that many dedicated military hospitals are being reserved for officer casualties.

As claimed by the head of the Kalashnikov Company’s combat medicine training division, it is likely that up to 50% of Russian combat fatalities could have been prevented with proper first aid. Very slow casualty evacuation, combined with the inappropriate use of the crude in-service Russian combat tourniquet, is reportedly a leading cause of preventable fatalities and amputations.

The discontent and poor morale amongst Russia’s troops now also appears to have reached its highest ranks. On 12 July 2023, 58th Army Commander Major General Ivan Popov was relieved of command. He has claimed he was sacked for criticising Russian Ministry of Defence deficiencies. In an address by Popov to his forces, circulated on Telegram, he said he had complained about, “the lack of counter-battery combat, the absence of artillery reconnaissance stations and the mass deaths and injuries of our brothers from enemy artillery”.

As of 15 July 2023, Russia has also likely dismissed the commander of the Vozdushno-Desantnye Voyska’s (VDV) 106th Guards Airborne Division, General-Major Vladimir Seliverstov. There has been no official confirmation as to the reasons why Seliverstov has been dismissed, but 106th VDV division has been in intense combat near Bakhmut since January 2023. Russian military bloggers also suggest that the divisional commander of the 90th Tank Division (Eastern Military District), General-Major Ramil Ibatullin, has been arrested. There are multiple reports which indicate that several other military commanders have or are also being removed from post.

Madam Chair, at the last FSC, we noted that Yevgeny Prigozhin’s rebellion on the weekend of 24 June represented an unprecedented challenge to Putin’s authority, and that it was clear that cracks were emerging in Russian support for the war. Those cracks now appear to be shaking the very foundations of Russia’s forces in Ukraine. Russia’s leadership cannot even justify this war to its generals let alone its soldiers. All, increasingly aware that they have been sent to fight Putin’s horrific, unjustified and unprovoked war of choice – poorly trained, poorly equipped, and poorly led.

Madam Chair, the UK and our allies are committed to providing Ukraine with the support it needs to defend itself and push Russia out of Ukraine’s sovereign territory. This is the swiftest, and only, path to a just and lasting peace. We will stand by Ukraine for however long it takes. Ukraine will win. Thank you.

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

Justin Addison (UK Delegation to the OSCE) tells the OSCE’s Asian Partners conference that to keep temperature rises below 1.5ºC we need to move away from unabated coal power.

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

New government campaign encourages British people travelling abroad to check their travel insurance cover.

• new campaign sets out simple steps to avoid invalidating insurance cover
• invalid travel insurance could lead to significant costs
• travellers encouraged to check Travel Advice for their destination

As the big summer getaway ramps up with many schools breaking up, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is urging Brits travelling abroad to make sure they do not void their travel insurance and risk a big bill. A new campaign will guide British travellers on the steps they need to take to make sure their policies cover them on their summer holidays.

Travellers without adequate and appropriate insurance cover could face bills running to tens of thousands of pounds if things go wrong abroad. But a few simple checks can help save travellers unnecessary stress and expense.

The campaign will encourage Brits to:

• declare all pre-existing medical conditions ahead of their trip
• check their insurance covers planned holiday activities such as water sports
• check that the length of their trip does not exceed any time limit in their insurance policy
• check their travel insurance includes medical evacuation cover
• take a printed copy of their insurance policy away with them and save the insurance company’s 24/7 emergency contact number and their policy number on their phone
• share their travel insurance policy details with travel companions and/or family in the UK

Medical bills can be eye-wateringly expensive, if someone is injured or falls ill abroad without adequate insurance cover. The price of surgery for a broken leg in the Canary Islands can be over £10,000, for example, and an accident in Greece requiring surgery and flights back to the UK could result in a bill of £30,000. The FCDO can provide support and assistance for British people who are hospitalised abroad but cannot pay medical bills or for medical evacuation.

Jennifer Anderson, FCDO Director of Consular Services said:

Arranging appropriate travel insurance is a holiday essential for all Brits heading overseas this summer.

By taking a few simple steps, travellers can avoid invalidating their insurance and save themselves thousands of pounds in medical bills should things go wrong.

Having the travel insurance in place that meets your needs can make all the difference and allow you to relax and enjoy your holiday.

Mark Tanzer, ABTA Chief Executive said,

If you’re going away on holiday this summer, it’s really important to take out travel insurance and make sure it provides the right cover for your trip – including the activities you’re planning, and any health conditions you may have.

You can also insure for cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances, but not all insurance covers this, so it’s vital to check the exact terms of your policy.

Louise Clark, Association of British Insurers Policy Adviser, said:

Travel insurance can provide vital protection and peace of mind when holidaying abroad, especially against any costs involved with needing emergency medical treatment.

It’s important to answer all questions fully and honestly when buying insurance to ensure you have the right cover in place, especially on any pre-existing medical conditions.

Policies will vary, so understand what you will or won’t be covered for and buy the cover that most suits your needs, not just based on price.

If you’re unsure about your cover or have any questions, please contact your insurer.

Travellers are reminded that the UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or valid UK European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) gets them state healthcare in Europe at a reduced cost or sometimes for free.

However, the GHIC and EHIC do not replace travel insurance and does not cover costs such as bringing the patient back to the UK or additional accommodation costs in-country. Travellers should also remember that the level of free public healthcare can vary between countries, so British nationals may not have access to the same specialist treatment that they would at home.

In addition to checking their travel insurance cover, the FCDO is encouraging travellers to prepare for their trip abroad. The FCDO’s foreign travel checklist sets out the practical steps that Brits need to think about before they head off on holiday, from passport validity to health prescriptions.

Holidaymakers are also encouraged to get all the latest information on their destination by checking travel advice on GOV.UK and signing up for email alerts. FCDO travel advice has all the latest information on entry requirements, local laws and customs and health care provision in over 200 countries and territories.

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

Justin Addison (UK Delegation to the OSCE) says Russia’s brutal and illegal full-scale invasion of Ukraine has caused disaster and devastation, with significant impacts on energy security.