Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 30 June 2023.

James Cleverly will meet UK military personnel leading NATO’s mission in Estonia. He will then visit Norway for a meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers.

• James Cleverly to meet UK military personnel leading NATO’s mission in Estonia protecting its ‘Eastern Flank’ by land, sea and air
• he will meet members of the new Estonian Government and visit a school for Ukrainian refugee children
• Foreign Secretary will then visit Norway for a meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers with support to Ukraine, and Sweden’s accession high on the agenda

The UK’s commitment to NATO and the defence of its ‘Eastern Flank’ will be underlined today (Tuesday 30 May) as the Foreign Secretary arrives in Tallinn to begin a 2-leg visit to Northern Europe.

In his first trip as Foreign Secretary to Estonia, James Cleverly will meet members of the new Estonian Government to highlight the UK’s role as a steadfast security partner, committed to deterring aggression and defending all NATO Allies in times of crisis and conflict.

As a demonstration of that partnership, the Foreign Secretary will visit the Royal Navy’s amphibious flagship, HMS Albion, currently in the Baltic Sea for 2 months taking part in military exercises with allies in the region, to hear from British military personnel across all 3 British armed forces, including some of the 850 UK troops currently stationed in the country as part of NATO’s enhanced Forward Presence.

He will also underline the UK’s strong desire for continued close cooperation on issues of importance to European security, including sustained support for Ukraine and working together to tackle illegal migration.

Cleverly will then visit Oslo for an informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers to call for Sweden’s swift accession to the Alliance ahead of the Vilnius Summit in July. Both Norway and Estonia are also members of the UK-led Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF), the group of like-minded, northern European nations protecting democracy, security and stability in the region, complementing wider NATO activity.

Ahead of his visit, Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

In Estonia, across land, sea and air, British personnel are on the frontline protecting Europe’s security and deterring Russia’s cruel and catastrophic aggression.

As NATO Allies, we are stronger than ever before – unified against hostility and in defence of democracy and freedom.

Not only is our military leading the way, our diplomats are working across the globe to galvanise our partners and strengthen international efforts to ensure Putin faces the consequences of his barbaric actions.

Cleverly will see first-hand how British forces personnel are leading NATO’s land and air missions to Estonia, helping to protect it on land, at sea and in the air.

At Amari air base, the Foreign Secretary will witness RAF Typhoons taking to the skies as the current lead nation for Baltic air policing out of Estonia, and see British Army Apache and Wildcat helicopters supporting multi-national exercises.

Cleverly will speak to Estonian tech company founders to promote economic ties between the UK and Estonia. He will review progress on the UK-Estonia tech partnership, which aims to develop new technologies in areas such as digital health and sustainable energy as well as creating jobs and boosting economic growth.

The Foreign Secretary will also pay a visit to a school set up in Estonia for children of Ukrainian refugees, who have fled the conflict in their country. Estonia has taken in more than 46,000 Ukrainians since the war began, offering them a safe haven away from Russian bombardment.

On Wednesday, the Foreign Secretary will visit Oslo for an informal meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers, where he will seek to shore up political and military support to Ukraine.

He will also use the gathering as part of a continued push for Sweden’s swift accession to NATO ahead of the Vilnius Summit in July, telling allies that its full membership will significantly boost NATO’s collective strength.

The Foreign Secretary’s trip follows visits to Moldova, Georgia and Kazakhstan in March, 3 more countries facing Russia’s malign activity on their doorstep.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 May 2023.

FCDO spokesperson statement on relocation of the illegal outpost in Homesh.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 May 2023.

Special envoys and representatives from Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the European Union have issued a statement.

Statement by special envoys and representatives from Norway, the UK, the US and the EU:

Norway, the United Kingdom, the United States of America, and the European Union [the Troika plus EU] welcome the African Union (AU) communiqué of 27 May following the Heads of State and Government Peace & Security Council meeting on Sudan. We agree with the AU’s condemnation of the actions of the 2 warring parties and the suffering they have caused the people of Sudan. The Troika plus EU reaffirms its support for African leadership and the AU’s Roadmap for the Resolution of the Conflict in Sudan, and welcomes the AU’s work to establish an expanded mechanism and its Core Group to ensure inclusive and coordinated regional and international action to secure a viable peace process, and the resumption of the transition to civilian government and democracy in Sudan.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 May 2023.

British Ambassador to Jordan, Bridget Brind OBE, spoke of the work the UK and Jordan are doing to advance our century-long friendship and partnership.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 May 2023.

Lord Ahmad is in India for a visit that will accelerate UK-India collaboration on science, technology and health, following a landmark agreement on science, research and innovation signed by the 2 countries in April.

• Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, UK’s Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, UN and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict is visiting India from 27 to 31 May, with a focus on strengthening science, research and innovation links
• he will visit historic cultural sites and high-tech research facilities in Jodhpur, New Delhi and Hyderabad while meeting senior officials from the Indian Government
• Lord Ahmad will announce the UK-India Health-Tech Bootcamp winners, welcoming collaboration between the health and start-up communities in both countries

Building on the ambitions for the UK-India relationship set out in the 2030 Roadmap, Lord Ahmad will meet senior Indian ministers and officials, including Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, and G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant.

The visit’s focus on science, technology and innovation emphasises the UK’s commitment to deepen partnerships in these areas across the globe – evidenced by the recent announcement of a new Tech Envoy to the Indo-Pacific. Strengthening the UK-India relationship is a key pillar of the UK’s long-term foreign policy, as part of its enduring engagement in the Indo-Pacific set out in the Integrated Review Refresh.

UK Minister for South Asia Lord Ahmad said:

The UK and India are trusted partners united by the unique living bridge that closely connects our countries and people.

Building on the 2030 Roadmap for India-UK future relations, we are deepening our collaboration on science and technology, bringing new innovations to both our nations.

The visit comes as the UK and India continue to make progress towards a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA). An ambitious, balanced FTA would boost our current trading relationship, worth £36 billion in 2022.

A trade deal with India supports the government’s growth strategy to take advantage of the UK’s status as an independent trading nation, creating new trade and investment opportunities and championing free trade.

Lord Ahmad’s visit to Rajasthan will be his first trip to his mother’s birthplace of Jodphur as Minister for South Asia and will highlight the region’s rich cultural history.  He will visit the iconic Mehrangarh Fort, and discuss education, sustainability and gender equality with emerging women leaders.

In New Delhi, Lord Ahmad will launch the ‘English Skills for Youth’ programme, co-developed by the British Council and Microsoft India, which will enhance global employment opportunities for Indian young people, especially young women. The minister will announce the winners of the UK-India Health-Tech Boot camp boosting health-tech innovations from India.

Concluding his visit in Hyderabad, Lord Ahmad will highlight science and tech innovations with trips to T-Hub and T-Works, the technology start-up incubator and prototyping facility which are part of the world’s largest innovation campus, and space launch vehicle company Skyroot. He will also visit the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology and discuss further potential for science and technology collaboration with Indian alumni of Chevening, the UK’s flagship international scholarship programme.

Christina Scott, Acting British High Commissioner to India, said:

The UK and India enjoy an invaluable partnership. As we deliver the UK-India Roadmap 2030, we are deepening and accelerating our collaboration on health, climate, trade, education, science and technology, and defence.

With India’s Presidency of the G20, we have an opportunity also fo2r the UK and India to work together to shape and deliver solutions to global problems.

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

Foreign Office Minister Lord Ahmad will visit India from 27 to 31 May to accelerate science and technology ties.

• Lord (Tariq) Ahmad, Minister of State for the Middle East, South Asia, UN and the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict is visiting India from 27 to 31 May, with a focus on strengthening science, research and innovation links
• he will visit historic cultural sites and high-tech research facilities in Jodhpur, New Delhi and Hyderabad while meeting senior officials from the Indian government
• Lord Ahmad will announce the UK-India Health-Tech Bootcamp winners, welcoming collaboration between the health and start-up communities in both countries

Lord Ahmad is in India for a visit that will accelerate UK-India collaboration on science, technology and health, following a landmark agreement on science, research and innovation signed by the 2 countries in April.

Building on the ambitions for the UK-India relationship set out in the 2030 Roadmap, Lord Ahmad will meet senior Indian ministers and officials, including Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, Home Secretary Ajay Kumar Bhalla, and G20 Sherpa Amitabh Kant.

The visit’s focus on science, technology and innovation emphasises the UK’s commitment to deepen partnerships in these areas across the globe – evidenced by the recent announcement of a new Tech Envoy to the Indo-Pacific. Strengthening the UK-India relationship is a key pillar of the UK’s long-term foreign policy, as part of its enduring engagement in the Indo-Pacific set out in the Integrated Review Refresh.

UK Minister for South Asia Lord Ahmad said:

The UK and India are trusted partners united by the unique living bridge that closely connects our countries and people.

Building on the 2030 Roadmap for India-UK future relations, we are deepening our collaboration on science and technology, bringing new innovations to both our nations.

The visit comes as the UK and India continue to make progress towards a mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement (FTA). An ambitious, balanced FTA would boost our current trading relationship, worth £36 billion in 2022.

A trade deal with India supports the government’s growth strategy to take advantage of the UK’s status as an independent trading nation, creating new trade and investment opportunities and championing free trade.

Lord Ahmad’s visit to Rajasthan will be his first trip to his mother’s birthplace of Jodphur as Minister for South Asia and will highlight the region’s rich cultural history.  He will visit the iconic Mehrangarh Fort, and discuss education, sustainability and gender equality with emerging women leaders.

In New Delhi, Lord Ahmad will launch the ‘English Skills for Youth’ programme, co-developed by the British Council and Microsoft India, which will enhance global employment opportunities for Indian young people, especially young women. The Minister will announce the winners of the UK-India Health-Tech Boot camp boosting health-tech innovations from India.

Concluding his visit in Hyderabad, Lord Ahmad will highlight science and tech innovations with trips to T-Hub and T-Works, the technology start-up incubator and prototyping facility which are part of the world’s largest innovation campus, and space launch vehicle company Skyroot. He will also visit the National Institute of Animal Biotechnology and discuss further potential for science and technology collaboration with Indian alumni of Chevening, the UK’s flagship international scholarship programme.

Christina Scott, Acting British High Commissioner to India, said:

The UK and India enjoy an invaluable partnership. As we deliver the UK-India Roadmap 2030, we are deepening and accelerating our collaboration on health, climate, trade, education, science and technology, and defence.

With India’s Presidency of the G20, we have an opportunity also for the UK and India to work together to shape and deliver solutions to global problems.

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

This joint statement on violence in the north of Kosovo is by France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.

Joint statement by France, Italy, Germany, the UK and the US:

We condemn Kosovo’s decision to force access to municipal buildings in northern Kosovo despite our call for restraint. We call on Kosovo’s authorities to immediately step back and de-escalate, and to closely coordinate with EULEX and KFOR.

We condemn attacks on EULEX in Zvecan.

We are concerned by Serbia’s decision to raise the level of readiness of its Armed Forces at the border with Kosovo and call all parties for maximum restraint, avoiding inflammatory rhetoric.

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

The UK is today (Friday 26 May) announcing a new humanitarian programme in the DRC, which will spend £21 million this year.

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

Emma Logan (UK delegation to the OSCE) says that the series of restrictions imposed by the Taliban are effectively erasing women and girls from Afghan society.

Thank you, Mr Chair, for convening us on this important topic at a time when threats to gender equality continue to increase. And I would like to thank our expert panellists for their sobering updates, reminding us of the terrible situation Afghan women face in terms of participation in political and public life.

At the global level, the Global Gender Gap Report 2022 shows that Political Empowerment is the largest remaining gender gap, and it is also the subindex with the widest dispersion among countries. The report says that at the current rate, it will take 155 years to close this Political Empowerment gap. Clearly, speeding up progress to increase women’s meaningful and representative participation in decision making processes is vital, both to enable women to realise their right to full and equal political participation and because women’s political leadership plays a critical role in securing and strengthening democracy. We must get more women into civic and political leadership roles, and we must promote and support women’s rights organisations and movements as a critical part of strengthening the enabling environment for women and girls’ full and equal political participation.

Since August 2021, the Taliban have imposed a series of restrictions effectively erasing women and girls from society. No other country treats its women and girls the way the Taliban do. Their decisions have no grounding in religion and will cause untold damage to the people and country of Afghanistan.

The toll on women and girls’ mental health has been huge. Afghan women self-censor for fear of reprisal, and opportunities for basic human interaction outside of their homes are being curtailed. Underpinning this, is an exclusive power sharing arrangement that excludes anyone but the Taliban from having a say on Afghanistan’s future.

Educated and empowered Afghan women would help Afghanistan by contributing to society, the economy, development and peace across the country – without this, Afghanistan will not achieve stability or prosperity.

The United Kingdom calls on the Taliban to respect international law, and uphold the human rights of all Afghans, including women and girls, and ethnic and religious minorities. We will continue to advocate for Afghan-led efforts towards inclusive governance, and remain committed to supporting the people of Afghanistan.

Turning briefly to Ukraine, and with thanks to our Ukrainian speaker, as reported by the UN, many female leaders at all levels have been spearheading the country’s humanitarian response to Russia’s illegal and premeditated invasion, joining the army or leading public service delivery. Female health workers and entrepreneurs are providing essential services and goods to the war-affected population, with women’s organisations on the ground leading humanitarian assistance, advocacy, and public outreach to support their communities.

The bravery of the women of Ukraine in the face of Russian atrocities embodies the resilience and spirit of the Ukrainian people. These mothers, daughters, sisters and protectors of Ukraine demonstrate strength, compassion and integrity in support of the defence and governance of their country, their people and their principles.

Mr Chair, as you and the Secretary General have outlined for us, we can only build a fairer, freer, and safer world if we put women and girls at the heart of the OSCE’s work. Women’s leadership, perspectives and knowledge are essential for local, national and regional progress. At the PC/FSC earlier this year we discussed the issue of Women, Peace and Security, which demonstrated that participating States remain overwhelmingly in favour of the OSCE doing more on this across our region. The UK stands ready to support.

Thank you.

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

Mr Richard Porter has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Plurinational State of Bolivia in succession to Mr Jeff Glekin.

Mr Richard Porter has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Plurinational State of Bolivia in succession to Mr Jeff Glekin who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Porter will take up his appointment during September 2023.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Richard Porter

Place of birth: Coulsdon

Spouse: Mr Sidnei Dos Santos

Children: One