Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 May 2023.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Thank you, Madam President.

Let me start by welcoming the participation of the High Representative in this meeting.

Mr Schmidt and his office continue to play a crucial role in contributing to a stable and secure Bosnia and Herzegovina. It is therefore important for the Security Council to have an informed and open dialogue with Mr Schmidt on the situation on the ground.

Madam President, the UK wants to see Bosnia and Herzegovina move forward as a democratic, stable and prosperous European country.

We welcome the formation of a new Government of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina on 28 April.

A functional and effective government is vital to help counter hostile actors, make progress on Euro-Atlantic integration and implement reform.

While it was regrettable that the High Representative had to take executive actions, Mr Schmidt, along with the international community, had repeatedly encouraged domestic politicians to come to an agreement and form a government. His executive powers remain a necessary tool when the situation requires it.

We urge all actors in Bosnia and Herzegovina to set aside narrow interests, and to promote collaborative and constructive politics in the coming period.

This includes halting attempts to frustrate governance and working together to agree an alternative to the permanent amendment to the Federation Constitution before May 2024.

We welcome the proactive approach taken by the new Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina and hope to see such activity continue.

We remain concerned by the dangerous, divisive and secessionist rhetoric and actions from the Republika Srpska leadership.

As the High Representative makes clear, Republika Srpska authorities continue to undermine state institutions in an attempt to damage the integrity of the state.

Recent authoritarian legislative moves threaten peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the wider region.

Against this backdrop, it is more important than ever that the Security Council maintains its support for the implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement and the High Representative.

The UK remains firmly committed to the Dayton Peace Agreement, and its associated international structures.

We welcome all efforts towards meeting the conditions set out for their closure, including the 5+2 criteria. We remain a committed member of the Peace Implementation Council in support of the territorial integrity and fundamental structure of Bosnia and Herzegovina as a single, sovereign state, comprising two entities.

We also recognise EUFOR ALTHEA’s effective work to maintain peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. It continues to play a vital role in regional security.

President, now is the moment for all parties in Bosnia and Herzegovina to show courage and leadership – rejecting the politics of division and hatred in favour of cooperation and constructive engagement.

This is essential to deliver stability and prosperity for all its citizens.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 May 2023.

UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, will visit Seoul from 11 to 12 May.

• the UK and Korea will mark 140 years of diplomatic relations by building new partnership agreements and increasing economic security
• Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Anne-Marie Trevelyan, will deepen economic cooperation on climate change and regional security, progress a new South Korea development partnership and highlight the impact of the UK’s enduring engagement in the Indo-Pacific
• on the 2-day visit, Minister Trevelyan’s first to South Korea, she will visit the demilitarised zone with North Korea and reinforce peace and security commitments

UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan arrived in South Korea (11 May), as the 2 countries celebrate 140 years of diplomatic relations, to deepen cooperation on economic and security challenges.

During her first trip to the country, Minister Trevelyan will join a dialogue with 2nd Vice Minister Lee Dohoon to deepen collaboration on economic security between the 2 countries. The dialogue, the first at ministerial level, is expected to focus on regional security measures upholding the international rules based economic order and joint work to combat hostile activity by foreign states.

The visit’s focus on economic security underlines the UK’s commitment to partner with dynamic and fast-growing economies in the Indo-Pacific, as set out in the Integrated Review refresh.

These partnerships will be critical to advancing the Prime Minister’s priority of UK economic growth. The UK and South Korea already have a mutually beneficial free trade agreement in place, with 2-way trade worth £18.8 billion in the year to September 2022, up 42% on the previous year.

Minister for the Indo Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan said:

This year marks 140 years in the UK’s friendship with South Korea, our valued partner on key issues from regional security to climate change.

As trusted friends, South Korea and the UK already benefit from strong trade relations and shared regional aims. By forming new partnerships on development and economic security, we will benefit our 2 great nations and build stability in the wider Indo-Pacific region.

During the visit, the minister will attend engagements focused on reinforcing peace and joint commitments to security in the Indo-Pacific. These include a tour at the Joint Security Area of the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea.

During the tour the minister will reaffirm commitments to work with partners on the threat North Korea poses to regional stability. The UK has been at the forefront of calling out North Korea’s provocations and as a permanent member of the UN security council, helps lead UN sanctions enforcement.

Minister Trevelyan will also make new commitments to establish a Strategic Development Partnership with South Korea. The initiative will amplify the impact of existing UK and South Korean development commitments, improving the lives of those in developing nations. The partnership will span climate and economic resilience, development finance and health with more details set to be agreed by the end of the year.

With the British Embassy in Seoul alongside the British Chamber of Commerce, Minister Trevelyan will launch a new programme to promote gender equality in the workplace called ‘Empower’. The programme will support Korean women in business by providing mentoring and networking opportunities with top British companies based in Korea. It will build on the FCDO’s first ever International Women and Girls strategy, launched in March this year.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 May 2023.

UK military advisor, Ian Stubbs, says Moscow’s reprehensible actions in Ukraine corrupt the memory of past sacrifices and Russia’s once-proud global reputation.

Thank you, Madam Chair. Over the past week, Russia has again conducted massive missile and UAV strikes against inhabited areas across Ukraine, with minimal regard to discrimination or proportionality. Of note, on Monday, the Ukrainian Red Cross reported that a missile strike completely destroyed 1,000 square metres of humanitarian aid stored in a large warehouse for the Odesa region. Such attacks by Russia seek to punish the Ukrainian people and to spread terror. They are cruel acts of vengeance and a disgraceful manifestation of the failure of the Russian military leadership.

At the same time, the Kremlin and our Russian colleagues in this room continue to attempt to distract from failures on the battlefield with a campaign of lies, threats and propaganda. Last week the Russian delegate repeated familiar false narratives on confrontation. I would like to again highlight the irony of this coming from a country which invaded Georgia in 2008, illegally annexed Crimea in 2014 and then launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February last year.

Madam Chair, the Russian leadership’s unprovoked, illegal, and senseless invasion of Ukraine; their attacks against innocent civilians and their homes; and their widespread atrocities corrupt the memory of past sacrifices and Russia’s once-proud global reputation. These actions are reprehensible and cowardly.

Europe has terrible memories of the totalitarian regimes of the 1930s and 40s, with their disregard for human life, cultural heritage, territory and sovereignty of smaller states. Moscow’s actions now corrupt the memory of all those who fought against tyranny and paid the ultimate sacrifice in the belief that they would save future generations from the scourge of war.

We pay tribute to the sacrifice of those who fought for the Soviet Union in the Second World War. But this year, Moscow’s celebration of Victory Day highlights the failings of its invasion of Ukraine. The cancellation of many military parades and Immortal Regiment processions across Russia hints at the grim reality of its enormous losses that beyond the many innocent Ukrainian victims, young Russian men are being killed in their thousands in the name of Putin’s war – leaving mothers without sons, wives without husbands, and children without fathers.

Madam Chair, in a desperate attempt to try and replenish its numbers, the Russian Ministry of Defence has ramped up its recruitment campaign of prisoners for fighting in Ukraine. Reports indicate that up to 10,000 convicts were recruited in April 2023.

Russian military recruiters have also been targeting central Asian migrant workers in Russia to serve in Ukraine. Recruiters have visited mosques and immigration offices to recruit. At immigration offices, staff who speak Tajik and Uzbek routinely attempt to recruit migrants. Radio Free Europe reported recruiters offering sign-up bonuses of USD $2,390 and salaries of up to USD $4,160 a month. Migrants have also been offered a fast-track Russian citizenship path of six months to one year, instead of the usual five years.

However, both the convicts and migrant workers recruited by the Russian Ministry of Defence appear to have been sent to the Ukrainian frontlines in attritional combat where the casualty rate is extremely high. On 3 May 2023, Russian private military company Wagner head, Yevgeny Prigozhin, stated that his forces had suffered 116 fatalities in one day fighting in and around Bakhmut.

Madam Chair, the persistent and institutional poor decision making by the Kremlin is having a terrible impact on the Russian people – more needless deaths; more grieving families; more defeats; more demoralised troops; more discontent; and more isolation. Putin is creating a legacy which millions of young Russians did not choose and did not vote for, but will be forced to bear the cost of for years to come.

Russia must realise that it can never win in Ukraine. If it keeps fighting, it will keep losing. We do not underestimate the continuing threat posed by the Russian Federation but, in time, there will be cause for Ukraine to celebrate. Ukraine will continue to demonstrate their resolute courage, determination and enduring moral strength as they fight to liberate more of their homeland. Ukraine’s sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence will be fully restored. The UK and the international community will remain steadfast in our support – we will stand by Ukraine for however long it takes. Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2023.

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

Thank you, President, and thank you to Ms Pobee and Special Envoy Tetteh for their insightful briefings.

I will make three brief points.

First, the United Kingdom commends UNISFA’s tireless efforts to help maintain peace and security in Abyei, under challenging circumstances.

A year since the mission began its transition from having a single Troop Contributing Countries (TCC) to becoming a multinational force, it is clear that this process has been a success and that the newly configured force is making a tangible difference to the security situation in Abyei.

Second, despite the positive role played by UNISFA, the local population continues to suffer from an absence of basic services.

The United Kingdom urges all parties fully to respect International Humanitarian Law and protect and enable humanitarian staff, assets and operations to deliver aid to those in need in all parts of Abyei, without hindrance.

We remain concerned by the ongoing intercommunal violence and increasing tensions within the Dinka community. We welcome the recent efforts by South Sudan to stop the violence between the Ngok Dinka and the Twic Dinka.

We are, however, concerned by the positioning of the South Sudanese People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF), and National Police personnel in Abyei in violation of the 2011 agreement.

The presence of these forces is exacerbating tensions and hindering peace. We call upon the Government of South Sudan to withdraw its forces without delay.

Third, we echo the Secretary’s General concern over the effect on Abyei of the military clashes across Sudan.

We note the offer by President Kiir to facilitate talks between the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces. The United Kingdom underlines its support for regional efforts to support a ceasefire, including through the Trilateral Mechanism.

We echo calls for a lasting ceasefire and for humanitarian needs to be urgently addressed.

President, in closing, the conflict in Sudan is a tragedy. It also presents a significant impediment to agreeing a peaceful settlement to the final status of Abyei, which remains key to enabling long-term peace and development in the territory.

We urge the parties not to lose sight of this vital issue, and stress the importance of resuming talks on the final status as soon as is practicable.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2023.

Statement by Deputy Political Coordinator Tom Phipps at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2023.

The UK’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Simon Manley, delivered a statement at Israel’s UPR at the Human Rights Council.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2023.

The UK’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Simon Manley, delivered a statement at United Arab Emirates’ UPR at the Human Rights Council.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2023.

At the 2023 Education World Forum the International Development Minister launched a Girls’ Education and Skills Programme following the UK-ASEAN Plan of Action.

• new support will provide around 100,000 women and girls with access to education and training in Southeast Asia
• the programme will boost female employment in sectors such as data analysis and technology
• this comes as the UK hosts the world’s largest gathering of education ministers in London at the Education World Forum

A new UK funded programme will offer some of the most marginalised women and girls in Southeast Asia a better future by boosting access to a quality education.

Funding will go towards improving the quality of education for women and girls by prioritising teaching basic reading and maths skills to unlock their full potential.

The programme will expand women and girls’ access to digital and technical education – focusing on what skills are needed to gain employment in high-skill sectors such as technology and manufacturing.

It will also promote the inclusion of remote and minority communities, urban poor and children with disabilities by setting up disability assessments to identify additional needs and medical referrals for eye tests.

International Development Minister Andrew Mitchell will announce the funding at the Education World Forum (EWF) conference in London today, the largest international gathering of education ministers.

Minister for Development Andrew Mitchell said:

Greater gender equality brings freedom, boosts prosperity and strengthens global security. Countries can’t develop if half the population are held back from fulfilling their full potential.

This means working in partnership with countries to provide a quality education for all with a focus on girls to address the barriers they face including violence, poverty, harmful gender norms and climate change.

We’re working with partners across Southeast Asia to tackle the learning crisis and improve education and future employment opportunities of women and girls to ensure a prosperous future.

Around 140 million children in Southeast Asia experienced loss of education due to school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is made worse by low quality schooling, learning poverty, limited access to schools in rural areas, education that fails to equip students with workplace skills and girls dropping out of school because of early marriage.

In the ASEAN region, girls make up a larger proportion of out of-school children at primary level. This limits opportunities in later life and increases the risks of facing early marriage, young pregnancy and poverty.

The new UK funding of £30 million will address these barriers to education for the 1.2 million girls threatened with permanent school drop-out through cost-effective measures such as merit-based scholarships, girls clubs and catch up classes to ensure children stay in school.

UK expertise will help schools improve the quality of teaching through lesson planning and in-class support so more children are able to read and understand a short story by the age of 10 years old. This means the programme will directly support progress towards the UK’s commitments for 40 million more girls in school and 20 million more girls reading.

The 5-year programme is the first in a series of new ASEAN-UK programmes designed to deliver on UK commitments as a dialogue partner and is further evidence of the UK’s renewed effort to prioritise educating girls as set out in the Women and Girls Strategy.

It is part of the UK’s effort to improve effectiveness of education and follows the recently announced Scaling Access and Learning in Education programme to help get an additional 6 million girls around the world into school.

The UK also launched a new report with the Global Education Evidence Advisory Panel and World Bank on ‘Cost Effective Approaches to Improve Global Learning’, which builds on the importance of early childhood education and provides recommendations covering health, nutrition and socio-emotional development.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2023.

Justin Addison (UK Delegation to the OSCE) tells OSCE’s Mediterranean Partners for Co-operation Group that Russia’s invasion shows the threat posed to our societies by kleptocracies.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2023.

The UK’s Permanent Representative to the UN in Geneva, Ambassador Simon Manley, delivered a statement at Montenegro’s UPR at the Human Rights Council.