Tag: Foreign Office

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

The Foreign Secretary travels to the Pacific to strengthen partnerships with Pacific Island Countries and New Zealand.

• James Cleverly begins a visit to the Commonwealth nations of Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Samoa tomorrow (Wednesday 19 April)
• The Foreign Secretary will announce a renewal of partnerships with Pacific nations, including millions in new funding to boost the region’s prosperity
• New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta to join the Foreign Secretary for a joint programme in Samoa, before they travel on to Wellington on Friday (21 April)

The UK’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly begins a tour of the Pacific tomorrow (19 April), to strengthen partnerships with Pacific Island Countries, with a focus on climate change, scientific research and media freedom.

Cleverly will visit Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, before joining the New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta for a joint programme in Samoa. They will then travel on to Wellington together for engagements on Saturday.

During his trip, the Foreign Secretary will announce new commitments to show the UK’s support for a free and open Pacific. £4.5m of new funding will connect communities in Papua New Guinea and across the Pacific to clean energy sources, such as by providing an alternative to common but expensive and polluting generators. More UK experts will also work with Pacific communities to tackle marine pollution and maintain clean, healthy oceans, as part of the UK’s £500m Blue Planet Fund.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

The UK supports a free and open Pacific. At the very centre of this effort is partnering for the long haul with our friends in the Pacific Islands, listening to their priorities, and working alongside them as they forge their own futures.

The UK is redoubling its engagement in the Pacific, offering our expertise in tackling climate change, protecting the region’s oceans, promoting public health, and supporting open societies and a free media.

In Papua New Guinea, the Foreign Secretary will meet Foreign Minister Justin Tkatchenko and Prime Minister Marape. He will also see a Fleming Fund-backed hospital in Port Moresby, visit the Grass Skirts project which promotes women and girls’ rights, and lay a wreath at the Bomana Commonwealth War Cemetery.

In Solomon Islands, he will hear from journalists who have taken part in a UK government-backed, BBC-led training programme, and meet Prime Minister Sogavare and Foreign Minister Manele.

In Samoa, the Foreign Secretary will join Samoan Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa and New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta, hold trilateral talks, see the Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme, and visit the Villa Vailima – Robert Louis Stevenson’s former home in Samoa.

The Foreign Secretary and Foreign Minister Mahuta will then fly to Wellington together. Cleverly will be greeted at the New Zealand parliament by a traditional Māori Pōwhiri ceremony, before holding talks with Foreign Minister Mahuta and Prime Minister Chris Hipkins. Later in the day he will participate in a rugby training session with players in the Black Ferns, New Zealand’s women’s rugby union team.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 April 2023.

Statement by Ambassador Woodward at the Security Council meeting on Yemen.

The UK welcomes ongoing efforts to advance peace in Yemen.

The Saudi and Omani delegations to Sana’a represent progress in efforts to find a settlement to the eight-year conflict.

The return of hundreds of former detainees to their homes is also welcome progress; for the individuals, families, and prospects for wider peace. We congratulate all those involved in their safe return.

Inclusive Yemeni-Yemeni political talks, under the auspices of the UN Special Envoy, are the vital next step.

At this time of hope, we are grateful for the unity of this Council. Sustainably improving the lives of the Yemeni people must remain our collective priority.

With this in mind, we call on the parties to refrain from provocation. The recent clashes in Marib and Shabwa had significant humanitarian consequences, displacing 10,000 people, as well as threatening progress towards peace.

Mr President,

Clearly the need for an impactful humanitarian response remains critical, especially while a sizeable funding gap remains.

While the UK commends the progress made, we call for greater ambition in addressing the recommendations of the Inter-Agency Humanitarian Evaluation.

In order for vital humanitarian work to go ahead, we urge authorities across Yemen to allow unfettered humanitarian access.

In particular we join calls for ends to the impediments to independent assessment and monitoring, for fair selection of service providers, and free movement, especially of national female aid workers in the north.

The UN, donors, and local authorities need to step up and work together to effectively address the needs of people in Yemen.

Finally,

We are at a critical moment to address the threat posed by the FSO Safer.

The replacement vessel has begun its journey to Yemen but there is not enough funding for the salvage operation to take place.

The costs of inaction are severe. This would devastate marine life and coastal livelihoods, disrupt life-saving humanitarian assistance for 17 million people, and cost the global economy billions in lost trade every day.

On 4th May, the UK is co-hosting a Pledging Conference with the Netherlands and in partnership with the UN.

This event aims to fill the shortfall and provide a long-term solution for Yemen.

It is on all of us, states, private sector and individuals, to step up and help. The time to act is now. We all have a stake in averting this catastrophe.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 April 2023.

Statement by Ambassador Woodward, at the Security Council meeting on DPRK.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 April 2023.

The Foreign Secretary James Cleverly has made a joint statement with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on the situation in Sudan.

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said:

Good afternoon everyone. It’s very good to be with my friend and colleague, Foreign Secretary Cleverly. We have been consulting very closely on the situation in Sudan.  We’ve also been in close touch with partners in the Arab world, in Africa, in international organizations. There is a shared deep concern about the fighting, the violence, that’s going on in Sudan, the threat that that poses to civilians, that it poses to the Sudanese nation and potentially poses even to the region.

There’s also a very strongly shared view about the need for General’s Burhan and Hemeti to ensure the protection of civilians and non-combatants, as well as people from third countries, including our personnel who are located in Sudan. And also a strongly held view, again, across all of our partners on the need for an immediate ceasefire and a return to talks. Talks that were very promising in putting Sudan on the path to a full transition to civilian led government.

People in Sudan want the military back in the barracks. They want democracy. They want a civilian led government. Sudan needs to return to that path. For our part, we’ve also been closely in touch, of course, with our own embassy, to make sure that our personnel is safe and accounted for, which is the case. And we’re also closely in touch with any American citizens, in Sudan, to make sure that those who are registered with the embassy and that we’re actually in, in contact with, get all the information they can about how to remain safe and secure.

The UK Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

Secretary Blinken thank you. Obviously, earlier on today, we have had discussions about the situation in Sudan. We have, the UK has been in contact with our friends in the Arab region, and will continue to do so. But I echo the points that have been made already by Secretary Blinken that we call upon an immediate cessation of violence, a return to the talks, talks which seem to be heading in the direction of a civilian government.

And of course, that is the ultimate desired, outcome. And we will continue working both with our close friends in the United States of America and our friends, in Africa, and the wider Arab world to bring about that move towards a peace and a civilian democracy.

Obviously, from the UK’s government point of view, our first priority is the protection of British nationals. We had previously changed travel advice and advised against travel to Sudan. I ensured that the British officials at the embassy in Khartoum are safe and accounted for, and we will continue to provide what support we can to British nationals in Sudan.

But ultimately, the immediate, future lies in the hands of the generals who are engaged in this fight. And we call upon them to put peace first, to bring an end to the fighting, to get back to negotiations. That’s what the people of Sudan want. That’s what the people of Sudan deserve, and we will continue to seek ways to support that road back to peace.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 April 2023.

Mr Michael Nithavrianakis MVO has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Federal Republic of Somalia in succession to Ms Kate Foster OBE, who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Nithavrianakis will take up his appointment during May 2023.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Mr Michael Stephen Nithavrianakis MVO

Spouse: Mrs Libby Nithavrianakis

Children: 2

Year	Role
2022 to 2023	Milan, HM Consul General & Director Trade & Investment, Italy
2019 to 2022	Karachi, Deputy High Commissioner and Director Trade & Investment, Pakistan
2019	Kabul, Acting Deputy Head of Mission
2018 to 2019	FCO, South Asia & Afghanistan Directorate
2014 to 2018	Special Unpaid Leave, Managing Director of Castle Gordon Global Advisory Limited
2009 to 2013	Chennai, Deputy High Commissioner
2005 to 2009	Athens, Deputy Head of Mission and HM Consul-General, prior to this Director Trade & Investment, Greece
2001 to 2005	FCO, Crisis Manager, Counter Terrorism Department
2000 to 2001	Riyadh, First Secretary (Commercial)
1997 to 2000	Accra, Second Secretary (Political/Press)
1995 to 1996	FCO, Assistant Private Secretary to the Permanent Under-Secretary and Head of Her Majesty’s Diplomatic Service
1984 to 1994	Various roles within the FCO and postings to Kuala Lumpur and Moscow, including roles in HR and Entry Clearance

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 17 April 2023.

The UK has summoned the Russian Ambassador after the politically-motivated conviction and sentencing of British dual-national Vladimir Kara-Murza in a Moscow court today.

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

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly meeting G7 partners in Japan and visiting Pacific Islands to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific.

Foreign Secretary, James Cleverly, arrives in Japan today (Sunday 16 April) for the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting ahead of a 4-day visit to the Pacific Islands and New Zealand. The combined visit will focus on promoting a free and open Indo-Pacific – as the region becomes the centre of growing geopolitical competition.

At the 3-day G7 conference (16 to 18 April) in Karuizawa, Cleverly will meet G7 foreign ministers, including the Japanese Minister for Foreign Affairs Yoshimasa Hayashi, to discuss closer ties around security and defence. He will also discuss opportunities presented by the UK’s recent accession to the CPTPP trade agreement, which strengthens the UK’s global trading relationship with its partners in the region and will help drive growth across the country in line with the government’s 5 priorities.

Cleverly will also announce that the UK will join the US, Japan and Australia as a member of the Blue Dot Network which will give a quality mark to infrastructure projects, promoting higher standards. It will operate globally, including in emerging markets, as a recognised symbol of quality and therefore will attract private sector investment and public support.

The gap between infrastructure needs and finance has been growing and is forecast to reach US$15 trillion by 2040. This initiative aims to start narrowing that gap, promoting quality investment in projects across the world that are in desperate need of funding – from transport improvements to upgrading hospitals, schools and expanding access to reliable electricity.

Cleverly will then travel to Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands, before joining the New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta for a joint programme in Samoa. They will then travel on to Wellington together for engagements on Saturday.

During his visit to the Pacific islands, Cleverly will announce financial support and the deployment of UK expertise to the region, chiefly for regional priorities such as climate change. This includes £4.5 million of new funding to connect communities in Papua New Guinea and across the Pacific to clean energy sources – providing an alternative to common but expensive and polluting generators.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

With increasing competition in the region, it is more important than ever that we promote a free and open Indo-Pacific. It is critical to the UK, to our economy, our security and our values. Throughout my visit, I will build on commitments to our friends across the Pacific nations in their bid to promote peace and prosperity in the region.

At the G7, the foreign ministers will also discuss the need to maintain collective support for Ukraine and how international support from the UK and other G7 partners can be used most strategically to help Ukrainian forces continue their progress on the battlefield and secure a lasting peace.

The visit comes following the announcement that the UK will join the regional trading bloc – CPTPP (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership) – as its first European member. The bloc is one of the largest free trade areas in the world, home to more 500 million people and will be worth 15% of global GDP once the UK joins. It is estimated that joining will boost the UK economy by £1.8 billion in the long run.

Joining CPTPP will also support further jobs and create opportunities for companies by giving British businesses improved access to the countries that will be gateway to the wider Indo-Pacific region, which is projected to make up the majority of global growth in the future.

The Integrated Review Refresh published in March 2023 set out how the UK will prioritise the Indo-Pacific through a long-term strategic footing, making the region a permanent pillar of the UK’s international policy.

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

The UK strongly condemns the ongoing violence between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support forces in Khartoum and multiple cities across Sudan. It must stop immediately. The UK expresses its heartfelt regret for the loss of innocent lives by those caught up in this violence and calls on the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to cease all hostilities against each other. Now is the time for the Sudanese leadership to deescalate tensions and prevent further bloodshed.

The UK calls on Sudanese leadership to return to dialogue. After months of fruitful political discussion, and real progress towards the return of a civilian-led transition, military action is not the solution. Long term peace is possible, but only through open, honest and pragmatic discussion.

The UK stands in solidarity with the people of Sudan in their demands for a peaceful and democratic future. Innocent civilians should not pay the price of their futures due to this violence.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 April 2023.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), David Rutley, will travel to Honduras on 18 April.

This is Minister Rutley’s first visit to the country and the second by a British Minister since 2016. His visit is part of a regional tour that will take him to the Central American Northern Triangle (Honduras, Guatemala and El Salvador).

His visit will focus on strengthening UK ties with Honduras as well as discussing a wide range of international issues, such as the war in Ukraine, free trade, regional stability and climate change, amongst others. For this purpose, Minister Rutley will meet:

Honduran Government officials
The Central American Bank of Economic Intergration –CABEI
Civil society representatives
Business leaders
On Ukraine, Minister Rutley will stress the need for countries stand together against the war while commending Honduras’ role at the UN’s Human Rights Council. Latin America is suffering from the fallout from Putin’s war in terms of higher energy, food and fertiliser prices, which feed into higher prices across the board.

At meetings with representatives of the Central American Bank of Economic Integration (CABEI), Minister Rutley will stress the UK is keen to support the infrastructure development that the region needs with UK expertise and finance, including investments from the private sectors. He will make the case for Honduras continue boosting trade with the UK through the UK-Central America Association Agreement.

On climate change, Minister Rutley will urge Honduras to continue playing an active role in cutting emissions and transitioning to clean energy. These plans will complement the UK’s investment of US$19 million in Mesoamerica, including Trifinio and la Mosquitia in Honduras, through the Biodiverse Landscapes Fund, to reduce poverty and create climate resilience.

At meetings with civil society groups, Minister Rutley will stress the unequivocal UK commitment to protect human rights, ranging from the situation of media freedom in the country, to listening to human rights defenders and continue advocating for the rights of vulnerable minorities.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 April 2023.

Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO), David Rutley, will travel to Guatemala on 17 April.

This is Minister Rutley’s first visit to the country and the second by a British Minister since 2016. His visit is part of a regional tour that will take him to the Central American Northern Triangle (Guatemala, El Salvador and Honduras).