Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 May 2023.

The UK government and European Commission gave a joint statement following the 12th meeting of the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights.

Joint statement by the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights between the European Commission and UK government:

The 12th meeting of the Specialised Committee on Citizens’ Rights was held on 25 May 2023 in Brussels, co-chaired by officials from the European Commission and the UK government. Representatives from all EU members states were also in attendance. The Committee was established by the Withdrawal Agreement to monitor the implementation and application of the Citizens’ Rights part of the Agreement, which protects EU citizens in the UK and UK nationals in the EU, and their eligible family members.

The EU and the UK discussed the implementation and application of the Citizens’ Rights part of the Withdrawal Agreement. The meeting also allowed both sides to take stock of outstanding issues.

The EU raised their deep concerns about the EU citizens who received a refusal decision between 27 June 2021 and 19 April 2022 but whose digital status did not accurately reflect this until January 2023, due to the operation of the EU Settlement Scheme. The EU asked for full transparency and clarity on this matter and expressed its disappointment regarding the UK’s plans on recovery of costs of some services and benefits. The EU called on the UK to find a fair approach for affected citizens. The UK outlined the applicable framework, the protections in place for individuals and the need for consistency with the approach taken with UK nationals as well as other EU citizens.

The EU discussed the implementation of the High Court’s ruling on the upgrade from pre-settled status to settled status, and welcomed the preliminary reassurances received from the UK as regards the UK government’s plans to implement the judicial review in accordance with the Withdrawal Agreement. Both sides agreed that correct implementation is crucial for the beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement.

Other issues raised by the EU included the application of temporary protection rules, the calculation of absences and the proportionality assessment, and the effect of imprisonment on acquiring settled status.

The UK raised concerns over the issue of permanent residence within certain member states, specifically, how UK nationals who do not make an application for permanent residence demonstrate their declaratory right of permanent residence when accessing benefits and services.

The UK also highlighted the lack of publicly available guidance on reasonable grounds for making a late application in some member states, highlighting the negative consequences in implementation this creates for UK nationals, and the UK’s open approach.

Other concerns raised by the UK included issues in some member states around property rights for UK nationals, UK nationals demonstrating multiple statuses under the long-term residence directive, and UK nationals with special statuses not being able to access rights guaranteed to them under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Both parties raised future priorities, such as upcoming electronic travel authorisation schemes, funding for civil society or specific challenges faced by children, and discussed mitigation measures needed for UK nationals and EU citizens in the coming years, highlighting their determination to work jointly and constructively on these topics.

The EU and the UK reaffirmed their commitment to protecting citizens’ rights in accordance with the obligations under the Withdrawal Agreement and agreed to meet again in autumn.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 May 2023.

Ambassador Holland voices UK support for the work of OSCE’s Programme Office in Bishkek, including on border security, human rights, and climate change.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 May 2023.

New figures published today show the UK did not import any Russian gas in the 12 months to end of March 2023, while UK gas exports to Europe tripled over the same period.

The UK has gone a full year without importing any Russian gas – in a boost for the country’s energy security and blow to Putin’s war machine.

New figures published today show the UK did not import any Russian gas in the 12 months to end of March 2023, while UK gas exports to Europe tripled over the same period.

It comes as Ofgem announced a reduction in the energy price cap, which will see household bills fall by around £430.

Today’s figures also show renewables generated a record 46.2% of UK electricity from major power producers over the past 3 months. This is up from just 3.5% for the same period in 2010.

The decisive action taken by the UK to ban Russian gas, support European allies and increase the amount of energy generated from renewable sources is helping to kick Putin out of the global energy market and drive down bills.

Energy Security Secretary Grant Shapps said:

We have led the world in standing up to Putin’s attempts to use energy as a weapon of war and, by slamming the door shut on Russian gas, we are helping to cripple the Kremlin war machine and safeguard the UK.

It’s positive households across the country will see their energy bills fall by around £430 on average from July, marking a major milestone in our determined efforts to halve inflation.

We spent billions to protect families when prices rose over the winter, covering nearly half a typical household’s energy bill, with wholesale energy prices down by over two thirds since their peak as we’ve neutralised Putin’s blackmail.

I’m relentlessly focused on reducing our reliance on foreign fossil fuels and powering-up Britain from Britain to deliver cheaper, cleaner and more secure energy.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly said:

Like his efforts on the battlefield, Putin’s attempts to weaponise energy supplies are failing.

Thanks to the steps we and our allies have taken, including to fast-forward the clean energy transition and on energy efficiency, Russian energy revenue continues to be dented and global prices have also fallen.

Our support for Ukraine will not waver. We will continue to undermine Putin’s ability to wage war, including by cracking down on the circumvention of our sanctions.

Putin’s illegal invasion of Ukraine had a devastating effect on global energy markets, forcing up wholesale prices and with it the energy bills of households and businesses in the UK and around the world.

In response, the government took swift action to shield consumers and companies from the worst effects, paying around half a typical household’s bill over the winter and half the wholesale energy costs paid by some businesses.

The Powering Up Britain plan published in March set out the UK’s ambitious plans to scale up affordable, clean, homegrown power and build thriving green industries – boosting the country’s energy security and independence and reducing household bills for the long term.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 May 2023.

Ambassador Neil Holland says that Ukraine must be able to secure peace on their own terms. Russian aggression cannot be rewarded.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 25 May 2023.

UK Sanctions Coordinator met with US, EU and Canadian counterparts to discuss continued cooperation on Myanmar sanctions efforts.

On 24 May, the Sanctions Coordinators for the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, and the services in charge of sanctions policy and implementation of the European Commission and the European External Action Service met to continue to assess and align ongoing efforts related to sanctions on Myanmar.

The partners discussed the significant scope of actions taken since the military coup in February 2021, ongoing coordination efforts, and the importance of continued information and target sharing to support sanctions packages. The UK announced further sanctions on 31 January and 27 March 2023, targeting suppliers to the Myanmar regime of military equipment and other material being used to attack its civilians. The partners identified the continued need for sustained direct cooperation in order to restrict the regime’s ability to carry out atrocities against the people of Myanmar and pressure the regime to change course to restore the country’s path toward genuine and inclusive democracy.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 May 2023.

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.

President, the security situation in Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories has deteriorated further to the detriment of both Israelis and Palestinians.

In Gaza, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and other militant factions fired 1,748 rockets at Israel. Indiscriminate rockets from Gaza caused the needless deaths of an Israeli and 4 Gazans. The UK condemns unequivocally the indiscriminate fire of rockets against civilians and all forms of terrorism. The UK Foreign Secretary welcomed the announcement of a ceasefire between Israel and militant factions in Gaza, and is grateful for the support of Egypt, Qatar and the US. We urge all parties to honour the ceasefire and prevent further loss of life.

President, the UK supports Israel’s right to self-defence. But Israeli conduct must always be in line with international humanitarian law, including the principles of distinction, humanity, proportionality and military necessity. We were concerned by the reports of at least 12 civilian deaths, including 6 children, in Israeli strikes in Gaza.

This month, we have also seen further deaths in the West Bank, where Israeli security forces have killed 110 Palestinians this year, including militants and civilians. If killing continues at this rate, 2023 will be the deadliest year for Palestinians in the West Bank since UN records began in 2004. Israeli security forces must show restraint in their use of force and investigate civilian casualties. 19 Israelis, residents and tourists including Lucy, Maia and Rina Dee, have already been killed in terrorist attacks in 2023. The Palestinian Authority must also re-assert control over Area A and take steps to tackle terrorism.

President, a solution to this conflict won’t be found until both Israel and the Palestinians tackle inflammatory rhetoric and incitement, as they agreed in Sharm El Sheikh on 19 March. Yet only last week, we heard from President Abbas and Israeli participants in the Flag March in Jerusalem racist slogans and slurs. Such rhetoric and incitement, including by both Israeli and Palestinian political leaders undermines the cause of peace.

Israel must also tackle increasing settler violence and coercion which on Monday resulted in the forcible transfer of the Palestinian population from Ein Samiya and desist from settler expansion which is illegal under international law.

Finally President, the United Kingdom also strongly supports the historic Status Quo governing Jerusalem’s holy sites and values the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan’s important role as custodian.

The UK remains firm in its belief that a negotiated two state solution, based on 1967 lines with Jerusalem as a shared capital, is the only way to ensure a lasting peace, security and prosperity between the two parties.

At the General Assembly committee meeting on voluntary contributions to UNRWA in June, it is vital that the international community puts the agency onto a sustainable footing to protect the delivery of critical services to millions of Palestinian refugees. UNRWA is crucial to stability throughout the region.

As the Foreign Secretary stated on 14 May, the UK will support all efforts to promote dialogue and create a pathway towards a just and sustainable peace. The first step on that pathway is clear: both sides must honour the commitments they made in good faith in Aqaba and Sharm El Sheikh.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 May 2023.

UK military advisor, Ian Stubbs, says Russia repeatedly underestimates the strength of the Ukrainian people and our unwavering resolve to support them in defending their homeland.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

Despite our Russian colleagues’ futile attempts to portray it otherwise, the simple truth is that Russia is responsible for this horrific war, which is in breach of the UN Charter, and for the needless deaths of thousands of innocent men, women and children. To characterise such a situation as anything other than a human tragedy for both sides denies the reality.

However, that is what the Kremlin does – it denies the reality to itself and to the Russian people. Here in Vienna, we have watched our Russian colleagues use this Forum as a mouthpiece to try to justify the unjustifiable. They have perpetuated a campaign of lies, threats and propaganda which has no solid foundation whatsoever. They have complained of confrontation and professed to seek dialogue. Yet, it is our Russian colleagues who have become increasingly contemptuous of this Forum, belligerent towards the Chair, and threatening towards fellow delegates.

Let us step back and remind ourselves of Russia’s approach to dialogue and diplomacy:

Russia repeatedly lied in this and other multilateral fora over the true purpose of its extraordinary military build-up on Ukraine’s borders and in illegally annexed Crimea.

Russia not only ignored its commitments under the Vienna Document, but weaponised this Confidence and Security Building measure to support its disinformation campaign.

Russia rejected calls for dialogue and de-escalation and instead pursued a path of confrontation.

Russia said there would be no war.

Russia said it had no intentions of invading Ukraine.

Russia conducted an unprovoked, premeditated and barbaric attack against a sovereign democratic State to conquer it by force and failed.

Madam Chair, whilst Russia persists in launching large-scale missile and drone strikes on towns and cities across Ukraine, we are thankful that most continue to be successfully intercepted by Ukraine’s air defences, including with those systems gifted by Ukraine’s international partners.

Russia also continues to struggle to achieve air superiority. Last week, we reported that four Russian military aircraft lost over Russia’s Bryansk region indicated that Russia’s ability to operate safely in its own airspace was now compromised. This increased air threat over Russia’s border region will be of exceptional concern to the Russian Air Force because it uses the area to launch air power in support of its illegal war. Ukraine’s repeated success in shooting down the Kinzhal hypersonic ballistic missile, once lauded by Putin as “undefeatable”, will add to Russia’s concern.

Madam Chair, Russia has repeatedly underestimated the strength and determination of the courageous Ukrainian people to defend their homeland. In addition, Russia has severely underestimated our unwavering resolve to support Ukraine, alongside our friends and partners, for however long it takes.

Russia has also clearly underestimated NATO’s resolve. Russia’s own aggressive actions have directly resulted in NATO growing stronger: welcoming new members; strengthening its forward presence; transforming the NATO Response Force; and boosting its ability to defend every inch of Allied territory.

Madam Chair, Russia could end this all now. It could end the pain and suffering of so many. It could end the terrible impact on the Russian people – needless deaths; grieving families; discontent; and isolation. It could end all this if it stopped its brutal and barbaric invasion of its sovereign neighbour and withdrew its forces from Ukraine.

Ukraine has regained territory and liberated thousands of Ukrainian people thanks to the awe-inspiring bravery of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the resilience of the Ukrainian people and the overwhelming international support. Together, the UK and partners are ensuring that Ukraine will win. Our united approach of providing Ukraine with the support it needs to defend itself and push Russia out of Ukraine’s sovereign territory is the swiftest, and only, path to a just and lasting peace. Thank you.

 

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 24 May 2023.

The UK Minister for Development Andrew Mitchell has announced a new package of humanitarian support for people affected by food insecurity, drought, conflict and climate change in East Africa.

• UK today pledges vital life-saving assistance to East Africa to support vulnerable communities
• new funding will support people facing the drastic impacts of drought, conflict, food insecurity and climate change in countries across East Africa including Somalia, Ethiopia and Kenya
• UK support will also provide humanitarian assistance to Sudan, to help address people’s urgent needs, one month after conflict broke out in the country

The Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell will announce humanitarian aid to East Africa at the UN Horn of Africa pledging conference today [Wednesday 24 May].

This vital assistance will enable the UN and NGO partners to continue the delivery of cash support; the delivery of water and sanitation services; and the supply of specialised health and nutrition treatment.

As vulnerable countries are impacted by more frequent and more severe weather events, the UK is supporting them to adapt and build resilience for the long term. Funding will boost the climate resilience of communities and provide support for those displaced due to drought and extreme weather.

The conference is co-hosted by the UK, Qatar, Italy and the US and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). In a video statement to the UN, Minister Andrew Mitchell will pledge £143 million for East Africa, £96 million of which is going to the drought-impacted countries of the Horn.

The minister will call for long-term solutions to break the cycle of crises afflicting the region, sustainable development, and adapting to climate change.

The Minister for Development and Africa Andrew Mitchell said:

The Horn of Africa faces one of the most devastating humanitarian crises in the world. The catastrophic drought over the last 2 years has brought unimaginable suffering and millions cannot access adequate water for drinking, cooking and cleaning.

As we’ve sadly seen in Sudan, conflict across East Africa is tearing apart communities, with women and girls bearing the brunt of the violence.

Our funding could not come at a more critical moment, and it is clear that we must act now, and do all we can to save lives.

Across the Horn of Africa around 43 million people require humanitarian aid due to the devastating effects of conflict and climate change. The Horn of Africa has also experienced a drought of an unprecedented nature following 5 seasons of failed rains, with livelihood systems collapsing, millions displaced and hundreds of thousands of children forced to drop out of school.

The new UK funding will address the crisis by supporting victims of gender-based violence, providing families with access to basic services, nutritional support, emergency food and cash assistance and sustainable water supplies. As part of the UK, US and Qatar’s pledges made today, all 3 countries have partnered to commit £8.4 million for drought response and resilience support in Somalia.

The UK is also pursuing all avenues to secure safe humanitarian access in Sudan, and UK support pledged today includes £21.7 million to help address people’s urgent needs.

The UK continues to call on the Sudanese Armed Forces and Rapid Support Forces to uphold international humanitarian law and allow life-saving humanitarian access in Sudan.

Background

• the UK has committed £143 million to East Africa for the financial year 2023 to 2024. The funding includes:
  • £42 million for Ethiopia
  • £5.8 million for Kenya
  • £48 million for Somalia
  • £18.9 million for South Sudan
  • £21.7 million for Sudan
  • £7 million for Uganda
• as a longstanding and committed donor to Sudan, the UK has contributed more than £250 million in humanitarian aid in the past 5 years
• across East Africa the UN estimates that almost 72 million people require humanitarian aid this year due to a combination of pressures, following 5 seasons of failed rains, conflict and flooding
• the FCDO will host a conference at Wilton Park 17 to 19 July to bring together key stakeholders to look at how we can improve access to climate finance for countries with high humanitarian needs
• as part of the UK’s commitment to Somalia, the US, Qatar and the UK have jointly pledged/provided £8.4 million to support urgent assistance and build resilience to the drought through the Building Resilience Communities in Somalia (BRCiS) consortium. The UK contribution to this partnership is £2 million, with the UK taking on grant management and technical leadership
• the London School of Tropical Medicine estimate 43,000 excess deaths occurred in Somalia in 2022 due to drought, half of which were children under 5 years old

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 May 2023.

Mr Alastair Long has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain in succession to Mr Roderick Drummond who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Long will take up his appointment in late August 2023.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Alastair Douglas Long

Place of Birth: Colchester, UK

Date	Role
2021 to 2022	Cairo, His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa
2019 to 2021	Cairo, His Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner for Africa
2019	Cabinet Office, Senior Coordinator COP26 Hosting Bid
2018 to 2019	Riyadh, His Majesty’s Deputy Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Director Trade & Investment for Saudi Arabia
2016 to 2018	Dubai, Deputy Consul General and Regional Director for Trade for the Middle East, Pakistan & Afghanistan
2013 to 2015	Muscat, Deputy Head of Mission
2011 to 2013	FCO, First Secretary, Middle East and North Africa Directorate
2009 to 2011	FCO, First Secretary, International Organisations Department
2006 to 2009	Vienna, United Kingdom Delegation to the OSCE, Second Secretary
2004 to 2006	FCO, Desk Officer for Turkey
2002 to 2004	FCO, Desk Officer for Environmental Security
2002	Joined FCO

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 23 May 2023.

Statement by Lord (Tariq) Ahmad of Wimbledon at the UN Security Council open debate on the protection of civilians.

Mr President, it’s a pleasure to join this debate under your stewardship, and I thank you and Switzerland for convening this important debate at this important time and acknowledge your contribution and that of His Excellency, the President of Malta and His Excellency, the President of Mozambique. Again, seeing stewardship at the head-of-state level also indicates the importance of this particular subject. I am also particularly moved by the quite specific contributions of the Minister from Ghana.

Minister Dery, you’ve outlined quite specifically the requirements on member states on how we can do more in resolving conflict. And of course, I acknowledge the valuable insights of our expert briefers, the President of the ICRC [International Committee of the Red Cross]. Mirjana, again, you highlighted some of the practical steps and challenges you face and the responsibilities of coordinated responses with member states and of course, the unique insights from Africa, from Madam Mounkaīla which were extremely valuable when we see drivers of climate change as a key consequence, which then drives conflict itself.

The Secretary-General himself paints a bleak picture, and rightly so, of the conflicts that rage around the world. More than 20 major live conflicts are currently gripping the globe from across all continents Myanmar, Mali, Ukraine, Sudan, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Somalia, to name but a select few. A greater number of affected civilians, as we heard from Secretary-General Guterres, are affected. Civilians who suffer, who suffer and die at the hands of disease, who suffer and die because of malnutrition and impoverishment, and they suffer and die because of these more so than military operations. This, colleagues, friends, is 2023. All of these can be avoided.

The destruction of infrastructure. As we’ve already heard, healthcare, economies and food production causes untold suffering. A point well outlined by the president of the ICRC. A quarter of a billion people in 2023 are experiencing the most acute levels of hunger caused by conflict. I myself, like others, recently saw this together with Her Royal Highness, the Duchess of Edinburgh when we visited the Democratic Republic of Congo. And a great many of them who are tragically suffering are women, who are girls. It is women who tend to eat last. It is women who eat least. It is women who end up eating not at all.

In conflict, women and girls, tragically, are also exposed to high levels of gender-based violence, including abhorrent sexual violence. As the United Kingdom’s Special Representative for Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict, I assure you I shall never accept this as an inevitable consequence of war, and nor should anyone. And working with our partners and friends, we will continue to support survivors of sexual violence and help them secure justice, help them rebuild their lives. Mr Putin’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine has also unleashed other consequences, inflation and shortages of food, as we’ve heard just now from the Minister from Ghana. And this has impacted food security far beyond the continent of Europe. We therefore once again urge Russia to end your occupation and enable life-saving Ukrainian exports to continue into the future. The Sea Grain Initiative in the Black Sea is an important part of this and it must continue to operate. Mr President, there are three areas that we, the United Kingdom, believe should be prioritised.

Firstly, we must do more to improve compliance with international humanitarian law, and we must do more collectively to show that non-compliance is truly a red line. Parties to conflict must be held to account. We welcome initiatives in countries like Somalia, where the government is showing true leadership by strengthening the focus on civilian protection and stabilisation and planning pre-deployment training in humanitarian law for its own troops. And even in Sudan, where we have immense and grave concerns, we welcome parties to the conflict, recognising their responsibilities under international law and committing to allowing and facilitating humanitarian assistance.

The United Kingdom reports voluntarily on its own compliance with humanitarian law as well, and we are encouraged to see many other member states doing the same. To tackle conflict-induced hunger, we also need a greater focus on relevant aspects of international humanitarian law. And in this respect, we are also developing a legal handbook to achieve part of this objective.

Secondly, we can make better use of our early warning systems. Resolution 2417, as we’ve heard already, is our warning system for conflict-induced hunger and reporting under it needs to be much quicker. This Council, this Security Council needs to act more promptly on the information it provides in order to save lives.

Thirdly, we must ensure coherence and coordination between our diplomatic, humanitarian development and peace initiatives. Ultimately, we can only deliver peace. We can only deliver peace with efficient and sustained diplomacy. And we will not be able to deliver sustainable peace without ensuring humanitarian support to ensure sustainable livelihoods.

The United Kingdom on our part, is steadfast in our commitment to support countries to recover from conflicts. And in this regard, next month in London, we will host the Ukraine Recovery Conference, which also importantly will be engaging the private sector in terms of reconstruction.

Mr President, our well-intentioned words must be followed by swift action. Civilians caught up in conflict need protection now. They need food now. They need essential services. Not tomorrow, but today. And they need them to be delivered promptly. And I assure you that we, the UK, remain committed to supporting those facing the brutal convergence of climate change, as we heard from Madam Mounkaīla, which drives conflict in many parts of the world. And we’ve seen that quite starkly around the Lake Chad Basin. Tomorrow, the United Kingdom will join the United States, Italy, Qatar and OCHA [United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs] to focus attention on the crisis in the Horn of Africa. We must raise urgent humanitarian funds to save lives, to save lives now. And we must also invest in long-term solutions to build resilience for the future. As we’ve heard today, again from a number of representatives, including, importantly, those from across Africa.

But ultimately, Mr President, together as we, the United Nations, we have the tools, we have the means at our disposal to prevent and end conflicts today, to restore stability, to deliver accountability and justice, and to give hope back to civilians, to give civilians their lives back. It is our moral imperative to do just that.

Thank you, Mr President.