Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 April 2023.

Minister of State for the Middle East, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, hosted an event at the FCDO on 27 April with the Syrian Emergency Task Force.

Distinguished guests, colleagues, friends.

Thank you for joining us today for this important discussion on the need for accountability in Syria. In particular, a very special thank you to our panellists, all of whom have been resolute in their demands for justice.

While I will let them tell their own stories, what will become clear is that the Syrian regime has, for more than 12 years, shown a complete disregard for the sanctity of human life.

It is impossible not to be moved by the powerful images on display. While these images make for harrowing viewing, bearing witness is a first, critical step in the pursuit of justice.

The Syrian people have endured unimaginable suffering. And while the propaganda merchants of Damascus, Moscow and Tehran seek to rewrite history, the evidence we can see and hear today underlines where responsibility for these abuses principally lies: with the Asad regime, and its allies – Russia and Iran.

The UK has stood with the Syrian people from the outset of this conflict. We continue to work with our partners, and the UN, to advance an inclusive political process and an end to the conflict. We have delivered more than £3.8 billion in humanitarian assistance since 2012, our largest ever commitment to a single humanitarian crisis.

Most recently, the UK acted swiftly to respond to the devastating earthquakes of 6 February, increasing support to our partners on the ground; we were able to provide a package of support worth more than £43 million.

But, UK support goes further than humanitarian funding. I am proud of the relationships the UK Government has built with Syrian civil society. The Syrian people are at the heart of justice and accountability efforts, and your voices will always have a place in guiding UK policy.

The UK also uses our position in the Human Rights Council and at the Security Council to highlight the scale of human rights abuses in Syria – we will not let up.

We support information sharing and evidence collection mechanisms, which have helped with judicial convictions, including the landmark trial of Anwar Raslan.

We support the creation of a new UN mechanism to focus on the missing. And we maintain a robust sanctions regime – our second largest – on those responsible for atrocities against the Syrian people.

We also work to expose the malign way in which the Syrian regime is destabilising the region. The regime enriches itself and its war machine, for example through the narcotics trade, whilst the Syrian people starve. To our friends in the region: you have our full support in addressing the harmful influence that Syrian narcotics and this conflict have on your societies.

Right now, some of our closest partners might be reconsidering their relations with Syria. Dialogue has hastened and we are all aware of ongoing discussions about Syria’s role in the region; we understand our partners’ desire for peace, but I want to emphasise that the UK’s stance on non-engagement with Damascus has not changed.

We will not work with a regime which shows no remorse and which has not shown any willingness to change its behaviour.

Our stance is guided by our values, but also by the evidence from other contexts of how conflicts can be sustainably ended. We believe the best way to achieve a lasting peace in Syria is through collective pressure, with clear demands of the regime including: a nationwide ceasefire; releasing those arbitrarily detained; conditions for safe refugee returns; and opening a safe political space, leading to free and fair elections. We will continue to work with our partners in the region and elsewhere to achieve these goals.

A Syria for all Syrians is possible. A Syria where people are free to live without fear of forced disappearance; without fear of systematic torture and sexual violence; and without fear that chemical weapons will again be used against them.

Let me end by saying that there can be no peace without accountability; that is as true in Syria as it is in Ukraine. The UK remains as committed to the Syrian people as we were when you first took to the streets demanding the most basic of freedoms.

The cause of accountability is not straightforward. But as Martin Luther King put it, though the arc of history is long, it bends towards justice.

Thank you all, once again, for joining us today and I will now hand over to Charles King, our Acting Special Envoy to Syria.

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

The Trilateral Mechanism and the Quad gave a joint statement, welcoming the announcement to extend the ceasefire in Sudan.

Statement by the Trilateral Mechanism (the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and the United Nations) and the Quad (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States):

Members of the Trilateral Mechanism (the African Union, the Intergovernmental Authority on Development, and the United Nations) and the Quad (the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom and the United States) welcome the announcement by the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to extend the current ceasefire for an additional 72 hours and call for its full implementation.

We also welcome their readiness to engage in dialogue towards establishing a more durable cessation of hostilities and ensuring unimpeded humanitarian access.  This initial phase of diplomacy to establish a process to achieve a permanent cessation of hostilities and humanitarian arrangements will contribute to action on development of a de-escalation plan as outlined in the April 20 African Union communique, which was endorsed by the League of Arab States, the European Union, the Troika, and other bilateral partners.

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

Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Political Coordinator at the United Nations at the Security Council meeting on Kosovo.

Thank you. Let me begin by thanking Special Representative Ziadeh for her briefing and for the work her team are doing to promote stability and respect for human rights in Kosovo.

Over the last year Kosovo’s democracy and institutions have continued to show their maturity. This is reflected in its climb up international rankings on political and civil liberties. Kosovo demonstrated the third highest increase of any country in 2022. We congratulate Kosovo on this improvement.

We welcome the government’s efforts to tackle corruption and strengthen the rule of law, and its commitment to tackling domestic and gender-based violence. We recognise the important role UNMIK has played in supporting Kosovo’s remarkable progress over the past 24 years, and the work it continues to do today and let me be clear, we remain fully supportive of Resolution 1244.

Conditions on the ground are, however, unrecognisable from 1999 and in line with our normal council practice on other mandates we believe it is time for a review of UNMIK’s role and responsibilities. This would allow the Council to take a fresh look at how UNMIK can adapt to serve the current conditions in Kosovo.

Colleagues, for many years the absence of a normal relationship between Kosovo and Serbia has had implications for regional stability and communities in both countries. We therefore welcome the considerable progress that has been made in the Normalisation Dialogue under EU Special Representative Miroslav Lajcak, including the 27 February Brussels Agreement and its Implementation Annex negotiated on 18 March in Ohrid. Now is the moment for both parties to engage in the Dialogue in good faith, honour their commitments, and avoid actions or rhetoric that could reduce prospects for a comprehensive and sustainable normalisation agreement.

Kosovo and Serbia have committed to the establishment of an Association of Serb Majority Municipalities. We urge both parties to engage swiftly and constructively so the Association can be established as soon as possible. We strongly encourage both sides to demonstrate the political will and courage to deliver on what has been agreed. This is in the long-term interests of citizens on both sides.

There are more immediate challenges too. Instead of a secure and safe environment in the north of Kosovo, there is a continuing security vacuum that leaves communities isolated and without vital every day services. We welcome the role played by KFOR and EULEX but this cannot be the long term solution. We need to support functioning institutions in the north, working to serve the interests of those they were elected to represent.

Let me finish by reiterating that the UK remains committed to supporting an inclusive, diverse and multi-ethnic democracy in Kosovo and its full participation in the international system.

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

Giles Lever will support the UK’s diplomatic regional response to Sudan from British Embassy in Ethiopia.

Following the temporary closure of the British Embassy in Khartoum, His Majesty’s Ambassador, Giles Lever, has been relocated from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) crisis centre in London to Ethiopia.

From Addis Ababa, he will lead the UK’s diplomatic efforts in the region to bring fighting to an end in Sudan. Mr Lever has been Ambassador to Sudan since 2021 and is a specialist in Africa, the Middle East and conflict zones with postings to Nigeria, Iraq and Afghanistan among others.

While in London, Lever was working from the FCDO crisis centre engaging key diplomatic contacts, helping to facilitate evacuation permissions and supporting diplomatic efforts to end the fighting.

The UK is pursuing all diplomatic avenues to end the violence in Sudan and return to civilian rule. The UK has been involved at all levels to de-escalate tensions with the Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary, Defence Secretary and Minister for Africa all speaking with international partners and convening a UN Security Council meeting earlier this week on the crisis. Basing our ambassador in Addis Ababa will also allow him to support engagement with the African Union, which is based in the Ethiopian capital and is playing a key role in resolving the crisis in Sudan.

The safety of all British nationals in Sudan continues to be our utmost priority and we urge everyone to continue to follow our travel advice. Evacuation flights continue from the Wadi Saidna airfield, and we urge any British nationals who wish to leave to come forward. At midnight Sudan time tonight, when the 72-hour ceasefire is due to end, we cannot guarantee how many further flights will depart.

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

Ms Fiona Blyth has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to Mongolia.

Ms Fiona Blyth has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to Mongolia in succession to Mr Philip Malone LVO who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.

Ms Blyth will take up her appointment during July 2023.

CURRICULUM VITAE

Full name: Ms Fiona Blyth

Year	Role
2021 to 2022	Cabinet Office, Russia / Ukraine Team Leader, National Security Secretariat
2020 to 2021	Cabinet Office, Principal Analyst (Middle East)
2017 to 2020	Mogadishu, Senior Political Affairs Officer, United Nations Assistance Mission in Somalia
2013 to 2017	FCO, United Kingdom Mission to the United Nations in New York, Senior Policy Adviser
2013	New York, Policy Analyst, International Peace Institute
2012	New York, Researcher to the Director of Policy, the Clinton Foundation
2011 to 2012	FCO, Desk Officer, European Counter Terrorism
2006 to 2010	British Army, Officer

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

Statement delivered by Philip Reed at the UN General Assembly debate on Use of the Veto.

Mr President

The founding members of the United Nations vowed to save the generations that followed them from the scourge of war.

They conferred the primary responsibility for maintaining international peace and security on the Security Council.

And, as part of that, permanent members of the Council were given veto power.

The United Kingdom is clear: the veto is a heavy responsibility, to be used to avoid and resolve conflict. The veto should be used responsibly – and with accountability.

Sadly, not all permanent members think alike. In February last year, Russia used the veto to prevent the Council from taking action in response to their illegal and unprovoked war in Ukraine. This came just two months after they vetoed a resolution that would have enabled the Council to take action on climate security – a resolution that counted the highest ever number of cosponsors.

In response, the General Assembly adopted the resolution we are talking about today – to enable the GA to scrutinise the use of the veto, and to hold Council Members using the veto to account. We were proud to co-sponsor that resolution.

Since then, of course, this Assembly has twice met in response to vetoes: in May 2022, when China and Russia vetoed a resolution that would have responded to DPRK’s launch of intercontinental ballistic missiles. And in July 2022, when Russia vetoed a resolution that sought to extend humanitarian assistance to over 4 million people in North West Syria – only to accept a resolution days later with one change: allowing humanitarians to provide help for 6 months, instead of 12.

Is that what the veto was created for? Halving the window for providing humanitarian assistance to people who desperately need it?

For our part, the United Kingdom has not exercised our veto since 1989. We listen carefully and negotiate with Security Council partners to try and find agreement.

The UK also remains committed to never voting against a credible draft resolution on preventing or ending a mass atrocity, as a proud signatory of the Accountability, Coherence, and Transparency (ACT) Group’s Code of Conduct. We encourage all Member States, including the other permanent members of the Council, to support this initiative.

Thank you.

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

Deputy Ambassador Brown expresses concern regarding ongoing disruptions to the Lachin Corridor and urges Armenia and Azerbaijan to resume substantive negotiations.

Thank you, Chair. The UK Government remains concerned by the ongoing disruption to the Lachin Corridor. The unilateral establishment of a checkpoint further impedes access and runs counter to efforts to secure peace and stability in the South Caucasus.

The UK Government calls for both sides to refrain from escalation. There is no military solution to this conflict, and Armenia and Azerbaijan must resume substantive negotiations to secure a sustainable settlement to the conflict.

Thank you.

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

Ambassador Bush thanks Ambassador Keiderling for her work, reiterates the United Kingdom’s unwavering support for the Mission and calls for early agreement on its extended mandate.

Thank you Mr Chair, and thank you Ambassador Keiderling for your report to the Permanent Council. I join other speakers in thanking you and your team in Moldova for your efforts during a period of immense challenge.

Ambassador, let me start by reiterating the United Kingdom’s unwavering support for the Mission and its mandate. The importance of the Mission’s work, including monitoring of the Security Zone, cannot be overstated. We commend the Mission’s efforts against your three goals: to prevent escalation, reverse the deterioration of relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol and find practical solutions to the challenges of everyday life for all citizens. We look forward to continuing our support under an extended mandate and call for early agreement on this.

Russia’s unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine continues to impose serious, direct consequences on Moldova and the wider region. Moldova has displayed extraordinary courage in responding to the challenges posed by this illegal war and extraordinary compassion in welcoming almost one million Ukrainian refugees over the course of the conflict, of which more than 100,000 currently reside in the country.

Meanwhile, it is crucial that we do not lose sight of the needs of the Moldovan people and the government’s reform agenda. As our Foreign Secretary stated during his visit to Chisinau in March, ‘Moldova, you are not alone’.

Ambassador, the readiness of Chisinau and Tiraspol to continue to meet and negotiate continues to present grounds for cautious optimism. We commend you for facilitating this process, and encourage the Sides to continue discussions, with the shared understanding that all negotiations are designed to lead to the outcome foreseen and agreed by all OSCE participating States at successive Ministerial Councils: an outcome which respects Moldova’s sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, with a special status for Transnistria.

Starting from this position of shared understanding, the day to day needs of the populations on both sides of the Nistru can be effectively addressed. It is to this end that the UK encourages the parties to continue their efforts to deliver tangible outcomes for their populations. Furthermore, we welcome the progress made by the Mission’s confidence building projects, which provide a valuable contribution to maintaining peace and stability for Moldova. We support your ongoing work to empower women’s voices across Moldova through the Women, Peace and Security agenda and in combatting Gender Based Violence in all its forms. It is firmly our belief that progress against these goals forms the foundation of a sustainable settlement to the conflict.

We note with regret, the lack of progress in either removing potentially hazardous ammunition from Cobasna, nor the withdrawal of illegally deployed Russian forces stationed in the Transnistrian region of the Republic of Moldova. In accordance with UN General Assembly Resolutions, Russian troops situated on Moldovan sovereign territory without host nation consent, must leave. We reiterate our call on Russia to remove its forces without delay and urgently formulate a proposal for resumption of the process of removal and destruction of ammunition from the Cobasna site.

Ambassador Keiderling, I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for your leadership, and to reaffirm the UK’s continued support to you and the Mission in fulfilling your mandate and to secure peace and stability for the Moldovan people.

Thank you.

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

The UK government and EU gave a statement following their Specialised Committee on the Implementation of the Windsor Framework meeting in London.

Joint statement by the UK government and European Commission:

The Specialised Committee on the implementation of the Windsor Framework met today, 27 April 2023, in London. The meeting was co-chaired by officials from the UK Government and the European Commission.

This was the first meeting of the Specialised Committee following the meeting of the EU-UK Withdrawal Agreement Joint Committee held in London on 24 March 2023, where the European Union and the United Kingdom adopted the new arrangements relating to the Windsor Framework and agreed to work together intensively and faithfully for the implementation of all the elements of the Windsor Framework.

The Specialised Committee co-chairs took stock of the work already undertaken and considered the next steps required for the implementation of the Framework, including as regards movement of goods, agri-food, medicines and VAT & excise.

The Commission and the UK Government also took stock of the work of the Joint Consultative Working Group and noted the adoption of its amended rules of procedure, allowing for the establishment of structured sub-groups to assist the Working Group in carrying out its functions.

In addition, the UK Government and the Commission reiterated the importance of engagement with business groups, civil society and other stakeholders in Northern Ireland as work on the Windsor Framework is taken forward.

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

Ambassador Bush stresses that the UK will do everything we can to support Ukraine to defend its homeland, and protect the future of its younger generation.

Thank you, Mr Chair. I would like to start by expressing my concern regarding this morning’s reports of missile attacks in Mykolaiv, as well as attacks on Kupiansk and Kharkiv over the last week.

Mr Chair, Russia’s senseless war has upended the lives of Ukrainian children. The physical impact of this invasion is unforgiveable, with an average of four children killed or injured each day. The mental health implications of Russia’s human rights abuses must also not be forgotten. My statement today will focus on the long-lasting psychological impact of Russia’s war on Ukrainian children, exacerbated by displacement, disruption to education and child development, and horrific human rights abuses and violations. Beneath these children’s resilience and courage are the deep and long-lasting scars of trauma.

Russia’s war has displaced around 3.5 million Ukrainian children. Families have been torn apart, as parents have faced the devastating decision to send their children to safety, whilst they remain in a warzone. Others have had their children taken from them. Separation from one’s parents is a form of trauma, which puts these children at a greater risk of developing psychological issues. Children subjected to long-term separation from parents and families often experience intense fear, panic, grief, depression, helplessness and hopelessness – feelings no child should be expected to endure.

Russia’s war has interrupted the education of all Ukrainian children and young people in some form. Save the Children have reported that on average, children have spent more than 900 hours in bunkers. 900 hours, which children should have spent learning, playing and socialising. When children emerge from these bunkers, many are confronted with the destruction of their schools, nurseries and playgrounds. And the facilities that still stand are no longer regarded by parents as places of safety, but as places potentially at risk of Russian missile attacks. Children in the temporarily Russian-controlled territories study under a new curriculum, where they learn false historical so-called “facts” about Ukraine in a futile attempt to justify Russia’s aggressive actions against Ukraine.

Many parents have tried to shield their children from danger by opting for virtual learning – but this has its own challenges, with frequent blackouts and power shortages caused by Russia’s targeting of critical national infrastructure. These children are deprived of the routine of the school day and interactions with their peers. The absence of structure and socialisation can deeply impact the mental wellbeing and development of children. The UN has reported that Ukrainian children are suffering with impaired memory, shorter attention spans, and the decreased ability to learn.

We continue to hear credible accounts of conflict-related sexual violence against children by Russian forces, including the rape of a 16-year-old girl in front of her sister, and the horrific report from the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights of a child as young as four being sexually abused. It is hard to comprehend how a child so young could process this type of trauma; we must do all we can to support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in Ukraine, and beyond.

Ukrainian children are absorbing the horrors of Russia’s war, with it taking root in their core development. Two boys were seen role-playing armed guards at a checkpoint – mimicking the sound of gunfire. Six-year-old Kira now draws pictures of soil, shrapnel and metal. Parents have reported that their children are having nightmares, reliving the horrors they have endured and wondering if normality will ever return.

Despite condemnation from the international community, the Kremlin shows no remorse and no compassion for the suffering they have inflicted. We will continue to call on Russia to respect humanitarian principles, including allowing humanitarian access to the territories it temporarily controls, and the special protected status of children, notably: access to education, protection against sexual violence, and family reunification.

Mr Chair, in conclusion, Ukrainian children deserve a future that does not involve shrapnel, bunkers and armed checkpoints. The UK will do everything we can to support Ukraine to defend its homeland, and protect the future of its younger generation. Thank you.