Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 May 2025.

Ambassador Holland welcomes new Head of OSCE Mission in Kosovo Gerard McGurk to the Permanent Council, underlining continued support for the work of the Mission amid the difficult political and security context in the last six months.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

Firstly, I would like to welcome Ambassador McGurk – dear Gerard – to the Permanent Council for the first time as Head of the OSCE Mission in Kosovo. Thank you for your informative presentation on the Mission’s recent work, so soon after your arrival, and to your team for the comprehensive written report.

The United Kingdom welcomes the peaceful and competitive parliamentary elections held in Kosovo in February, and the important support provided to the Central Election Commission by the Mission. We continue to underline to Kosovo interlocutors the urgency of government formation.

Mr Chair, the United Kingdom shares the concerns highlighted in the Mission report on the level of tensions in the four northern municipalities during the reporting period. We are particularly concerned by the uncoordinated nature of closures of institutions and facilities in northern Kosovo which provide vital services to Kosovo-Serbs and other non-majority communities. The UK will continue to encourage the Government of Kosovo to ensure that non-majority communities can play a full and equal role in the country’s future, and to uphold Kosovo’s commitments as an inclusive and multi-ethnic state.

The UK also underlines the importance of ensuring justice and accountability for all acts of violence. We continue to call on Serbia to cooperate fully with efforts to hold to account those responsible for the 2023 attacks on KFOR troops and in Banjska, and to fulfil its pledge to cooperate in the investigation of the attack on the Ibar-Lepenc Canal.

We urge both Kosovo and Serbia to engage constructively in the EU-facilitated Dialogue and to deliver on their respective obligations, including establishing an Association of Serb-Majority Municipalities. It is vital that Kosovo and Serbia abide by their commitments and not renege on Dialogue agreements. Failing to meet these commitments has negative implications for the daily lives of ordinary citizens and for wider stability in the Western Balkans.

The UK commends the work of the OSCE Mission during the last six months across the three core pillars of its mandate. We particularly appreciate the Mission’s focus on electoral support, and continued prioritisation of monitoring and early warning functions. We also value the Mission’s support on human rights and inter-community relations, including on interfaith dialogue and assistance to the Kosovo-Serb community in language and documentation. We welcome ongoing efforts to address challenges to the right to freedom of religion or belief and the preservation of cultural heritage.

While we recognise Kosovo’s progress in tackling corruption and its improved score in Transparency International’s corruption perceptions index, we note with concern the issues highlighted in the World Press Freedom Index on the protection and independence of journalists. We share the concerns highlighted in the Report over political influence in media institutions, and welcome the Mission’s planned activity to advance media freedom and journalist safety.

Mr Chair, the United Kingdom is a longstanding and strong supporter of Kosovo as an independent and sovereign state. During his visit to Kosovo in early April, my Foreign Secretary reaffirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Kosovo’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and its development of an inclusive, diverse and multi-ethnic democracy. The UK will continue to support stability, security and economic cooperation in the Western Balkans, including through the work of our Special Envoy, Dame Karen Pierce, and hosting the Berlin Process Summit in London this autumn.

Finally, I wanted to again thank you, dear Gerard, for taking on the leadership of the Mission at this critical time. We highly appreciate the continued hard work and expertise of your team, and wish you every success during your time in the role.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 May 2025.

Ambassador Holland condemns Russia’s continued attacks against Ukrainian civilians, which are not actions of a government seeking peace, and calls for no effort to be spared in bringing about the release of the three OSCE staff members.

Thank you, Mister Chair. In recent days, Russia has intensified attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine. On Friday night, Russia struck apartment buildings and other targets in Kyiv, in one of the largest attacks since the start of its illegal invasion. Only 24 hours later, Kyiv was struck again in an even larger strike. Across Ukraine, 12 civilians were killed on Saturday night, including three siblings in Zhytomyr, aged 8, 12 and 17. More innocent lives denied by Russia’s senseless war.

President Putin’s claim that he is ready for peace is not borne out by his actions. In the more than two months since Ukraine agreed, in-principle, to the US proposal for a full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire, President Putin has continued to dither and delay. He announced two unilateral, three-day ‘pauses’ during which his armed forces continued to target Ukrainian cities. And he ignored the opportunity for substantive talks in Istanbul, instead sending a delegation with no real mandate to negotiate.

In contrast, President Zelenskyy demonstrated real leadership by expressing readiness to engage at the leaders’ level, even as President Putin refused a ceasefire that would create the space for talks.

The Russian State has shown time and time again that its actions are not those of a government seeking peace. And while we welcome the recent prisoner swaps, Russia’s failure to agree to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire – as Ukraine has done – is holding up further humanitarian outcomes, including the return of Ukrainian children it has forcibly displaced. These outcomes are critical to achieving a peace that is just and lasting.

Mr Chair, it is not ‘anti-Russian’ to call for an end to the devastation and loss of life in Ukraine. Doing so is to stand up for the principles set out in the Helsinki Final Act, and to adhere to international law, including the UN Charter. Delaying peace efforts will only redouble our resolve to help Ukraine in its defence. And we will continue working with our partners to ratchet up pressure on President Putin to end his war.

Mister Chair, it is with great regret that I must again raise the cases of Vadym Golda, Maxim Petrov, and Dmytro Shabanov. All three were members of the Special Monitoring Mission in Ukraine. They have been unlawfully deprived of their liberty for more than three years by the Russian Federation and its proxies in Ukraine. Their continued detention is a grave injustice and a flagrant violation of international law and the Helsinki Final Act.

These individuals were carrying out a mission mandated by every participating State in this room – including Russia. The UK urges all parties to leave no stone unturned in securing their immediate release. Our thoughts remain with them and their families.

Thank you, Mister Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 29 May 2025.

The UK and EU welcome progress on Viet Nam’s Just Energy Transition Partnership as President Macron of France visits the country.

On behalf of the International Partners Group (IPG), the European Union and the United Kingdom – IPG co-leads for the Viet Nam Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) – warmly welcome French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Viet Nam, reaffirming support for Viet Nam’s goal to deliver a clean energy transition that is inclusive and rooted in sustainable growth on the pathway to ‘net zero’ emissions by 2050.

On 26th May, President Macron and President Lương Cường announced progress on two important JETP-supported investment projects:

• A Credit Financing Agreement between Electricity of Vietnam National Power Transmission Corporation (EVN NPT) and Agence Française de Développement (AFD) of €67 million to build a 500kV transmission line and substations across the Binh Duong and Dong Nai provinces. This project will increase the national transmission network’s capacity to integrate renewable energy and deliver reliable electricity in key economic regions in southern Viet Nam.
• A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between EVN and AFD as coordinator of six IPG Development Finance Institutions (AFD, EIB, JICA, KfW, CDP, and Proparco) and the EU, acknowledging €490 million for the construction of the first 1200 MW Pumped Storage Hydropower project in Vietnam located in Bac Ai, Ninh Thuan province. This large-scale energy storage project will improve grid resilience and enable further integration of variable renewable energy sources into Vietnam’s energy mix. This pilot project also contributes to the development of regulatory, financial, and investment approaches, paving the way for related future partnerships.

France’s and IPG’s €547 million financial contribution to these two flagship energy transition projects marks an important step towards delivering the public finance commitments under the JETP.

The EU and UK remain fully committed to the JETP as co-leads, working with Viet Nam as it continues to raise ambitions for tackling emissions, limiting coal and increasing the share of renewables as set out in the recently revised of National Power Development Plan (PDP8).

In addition to mobilising project-specific finance, the IPG will continue to engage closely with the Government of Viet Nam, the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), and wider JETP partners, to promote a strong enabling policy environment for developers and investors that drives Viet Nam’s future green growth ambition.

What is the JETP ?

The Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) is a cooperation initiative and related Political Declaration agreed in December 2022 between Viet Nam and the International Partners Group (IPG; now comprised of the European Union, the United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Denmark and Norway, and co-led by the EU and the UK. The overarching goal is to support the country’s energy transition trajectory towards its 2050 net zero emissions commitment. The JETP Political Declaration consequently sets out 3 main targets:

1. Accelerate and cap the peaking of GHG emissions from the power sector at 170 million tons of CO₂ equivalent by 2030;
2. Limit the installed capacity of coal-fired power plants to 30.2 gigawatts by 2030;
3. Increase the share of renewable energy in the power mix to 47% by 2030, promoting investments in wind, solar, and other clean energy sources.

In support of these targets, the JETP partners secured original funding commitments of $15.5 billion, including $7.5 billion public sector finance from IPG members (grants, concessional and commercial loans and instruments) and $7.5 billion private sector finance facilitated by the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ).

JETPs are also being implemented to support the energy transitions in South Africa, Indonesia and Senegal.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 May 2025.

On their first official visit to London, Deputy Chief of Staff Jorge Díaz and Interior Minister Carlos Negro held meetings related to justice and security.

The main objective of the visit was to learn from experiences that will contribute to discussions on the creation of a Ministry of Justice and Human Rights in Uruguay.

Between May 20 and 23, 2025, they met with government officials, academics, private sector companies, and non-governmental organizations, including two roundtables on cybersecurity and the space industry, in which more than 12 local counterparts participated. Additionally, they visited Parliament, the Supreme Court of Justice, the London Magistrates’ Court, and the Prosecutor’s Office.

Ambassador Mal Green stated:

The purpose of this invitation from the British government is to share experiences, ideas, challenges, and lessons learned to support the planning that the Uruguayan government is undertaking for the creation of its Ministry of Justice, as well as to exchange views on a priority for both countries: security.

I trust that the connections established will continue to deepen in the coming months through future virtual and in-person meetings, training, and technical cooperation.

Deputy Secretary Díaz expressed being pleasantly surprised by the level of pragmatism and professionalism with which security-related public policies and the Ministry of Justice operate in the United Kingdom, according to the official Presidency website.

The activity agenda included meetings with Lords who were involved in the formation of this Ministry, created in 2007, and its leadership, as well as with current authorities such as the Undersecretary of Justice, Lord Frederick Ponsonby. Frederick Ponsonby is a relative of John Brabazon Ponsonby, a British diplomat who played a decisive role in the independence of Uruguay in 1828.

This was the first official visit of authorities from Yamandú Orsi’s government to the United Kingdom, further strengthening the historical relationship and collaboration between both countries, which now spans nearly two centuries.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 May 2025.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East.

I thank Special Coordinator Sigrid Kaag and Dr Sidwah for their briefings today, which painted a catastrophic picture.

Let me pay tribute to you and to your humanitarian and health worker colleagues working tirelessly to alleviate this suffering.

I will make three points.

First, the UK has always supported Israel’s right to defend itself. It suffered a heinous attack by Hamas on 7 October, and hostages have been through an unimaginable ordeal. We reiterate our call for their immediate and unconditional release and accountability for those responsible.

But as my Prime Minister has said, we strongly oppose the Israeli Government’s escalating military action in Gaza which is wholly disproportionate.

An immediate ceasefire, not more bloodshed, is the way to secure the release of the hostages and stop the endless cycle of violence.

Second, as we have heard again today, the level of human suffering in Gaza is intolerable. Civilians face starvation, displacement and trauma.

The UN warned of the risks from the Israeli Government’s plan for aid delivery. In Rafah yesterday, we saw this warning become a reality. The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation lost control of its distribution centre, with multiple casualties reported and great distress for those desperately seeking aid.

In contrast, the UN has a clear plan to deliver lifesaving aid at scale. It contains robust mitigations against aid diversion. Brave humanitarians stand ready to do their jobs. 9,000 trucks wait at the border.

Our message to Prime Minister Netanyahu is clear: let aid in and enable the UN to operate, now.

We reiterate our support for the UN, OCHA and all its aid agencies.

We also reject the Israeli Government’s unacceptable intention to take control of the Gaza Strip. Permanent forced displacement is a breach of international humanitarian law.

Third, President, in the West Bank, violent settlers continue to assault and abuse Palestinians, forcing entire communities to flee. In Jerusalem, provocative visits to Holy Sites and inflammatory language by Israeli ministers are adding to the tensions.

On 20 May, the UK announced further sanctions on individuals and entities promoting violence against Palestinian communities in the West Bank.

We will continue to act against those committing these abuses.

President, the UK will not give up on a two-state solution, and we will continue to work closely with France, Saudi Arabia and all our partners towards a successful conference in June, which moves us towards this goal.

And finally, let me finish by condemning the horrific murders of Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim in Washington DC last week, and offering condolences to their families and to their colleagues.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 May 2025.

UK Counsellor, Ankur Narayan, says that in line with the OSCE Code of Conduct, the UK will continue to support Ukraine towards achieving a just and lasting peace, while continuing to urge Russia to return to full compliance – including withdrawing to within its own internationally recognised borders.

Thank you, Madam Chair, for hosting this FSC Security Dialogue on the Code of Conduct on Politico-Military Aspects of Security. Thank you also to the distinguished speakers for their interventions.

My statement today will focus on the purpose of the Code, which democratic control is designed to ensure implementation of. Namely, the commitment of States to abide by the Helsinki Final Act and to respond when these principles are breached in the OSCE region.

As per paragraph 1 of the Code, the “implementation in good faith of all commitments” are of “fundamental importance for stability and security”, and “consequently constitute a matter of direct and legitimate concern to all of them”. As we know, the Code spells these commitments out. Commitments such as “respect for each other’s sovereign equality and individuality”. Such as “the right freely to choose its own security arrangements … to belong or not to belong to … treaties of alliance”.

The Code explicitly states: “No participating State will attempt to impose military domination over any other participating State”. This includes not stationing armed forces in the territories of other States without a freely negotiated agreement … in accordance with international law.

Madam Chair, as detailed at the weekly FSC, Russia remains in breach of multiple commitments in the OSCE’s Zone of Application. Namely in Moldova, in Georgia and in Ukraine.

The Code is clear about what States must do in response: “In the event of armed conflict, they will seek to facilitate the effective cessation of hostilities and seek to create conditions favourable to the political solution of the conflict.” It adds that States are determined to “act in solidarity if CSCE norms and commitments are violated” and to “facilitate concerted responses”. It provides that States will: “consult promptly … with a participating State seeking assistance in realizing its individual or collective self-defence”. It also provides that States will “consider jointly the nature of the threat and actions that may be required in defence of their common values.”

In line with Code, we support Ukraine to defend itself, in line with the UN Charter and Helsinki Final Act principles. In line with the Code, we commend Ukraine’s steadfast commitment to reaching a just and lasting peace. And in line with the Code, we keep on calling on Russia to withdraw fully and unconditionally, from the whole territory of Ukraine, to inside its internationally recognised borders. And to return to the path of peace, starting with an immediate, unconditional ceasefire.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 May 2025.

UK Military Advisor, Lt Col Joby Rimmer, says that Russia’s invasion shatters European security and undermines peace. Despite President Putin’s claims, continued attacks show absolutely no intent to negotiate. The UK urges an immediate, lasting ceasefire to enable real dialogue and end the humanitarian crisis.

Thank you, Madam Chair. The United Kingdom remains resolute in its commitment to supporting Ukraine in the face of Russia’s ongoing illegal invasion. Our immediate priority is to secure a ceasefire as swiftly as possible – one that endures long enough to create the conditions necessary for meaningful negotiations toward a robust and lasting peace.

President Putin claims that he is interested in peace, all the while Russian attacks increasingly escalate the humanitarian crisis. These are not the actions of a government seeking peaceful resolution, but of one determined to prolong suffering and instability. Over the weekend, Russia launched a massive aerial assault involving 69 missiles and 298 drones, targeting over 30 cities and towns across Ukraine. At least 12 civilians, including children, were killed, and dozens more were injured. Kyiv was among the hardest hit, suffering casualties and significant damage during its Kyiv Day celebrations. A symbolic, cynical and deliberate act of aggression.

At last week’s Forum for Security Co-operation (FSC), Russia accused NATO of ‘pumping up military budgets and militarising at the expense of ordinary taxpayers.’ As it continues to escalate the conflict, the economic toll on Russia’s own population is becoming increasingly severe: Interest rates in Russia have surged to 21%, reflecting deep financial instability; 40% of Russia’s federal government spending in 2025 has been committed to defence; for the first time in post-Soviet history, defence spending has exceeded social spending; Russia has depleted two-thirds of the liquid assets in its National Wealth Fund; and due to international sanctions, Russia has lost an estimated $450 billion USD in energy revenues. These figures reveal a government that clearly prioritises war over the welfare of its own citizens. The Kremlin’s choices are impoverishing Russia. We stand ready to ratchet up the pressure on President Putin with new sanctions if our calls for a ceasefire are not answered now.

The UK stands by its economic and military support to Ukraine – a sovereign nation defending itself against an unprovoked attack. We would remind Russia, that alongside the billions already committed in aid and military assistance, the UK is also investing in Ukraine’s long-term recovery and reconstruction through non-military support. It is estimated that Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction will require $524 billion USD over the next decade. It represents the cost of rebuilding homes, schools, hospitals, and infrastructure destroyed by Russian aggression. It is a moral and strategic investment in the future of a free and democratic Ukraine.

The United Kingdom condemns Russia’s illegal invasion in the strongest possible terms. We will continue to stand with Ukraine – militarily, economically, and diplomatically -until peace is achieved, and Ukraine’s sovereignty is safeguarded. Russia’s invasion is a flagrant violation of international law, of the United Nations Charter and the principles enshrined in the 1975 Helsinki Final Act, to which Russia is a signatory. These principles include the sovereign equality of states, the inviolability of frontiers, and the prohibition of the threat or use of force. Russia’s actions have shattered the foundations of European security. Thank you, Madam Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 28 May 2025.

The Ambassador For A Day competition celebrates the potential of Lebanon’s young people as it gives girls the opportunity to shadow heads of missions.

On Tuesday 27 May,  the British, Canadian and Jordanian embassies jointly hosted a reception to celebrate the thirty winners, from across various regions and backgrounds in Lebanon, of this year’s “Ambassador For A Day” competition. Each winner will spend one day shadowing an Ambassador, Senior UN or Lebanese official. This promises to be an unforgettable opportunity to build confidence, leadership, and diplomatic skills.

This year’s competition was launched on International Women’s Day (IWD) on 8 March. Over 300 girls aged 15-18 years old submitted entries on the International Women’s Day 2025 theme “For ALL women and girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment”.

They answered the question: “If you were an Ambassador for a Day, what actions would you take to accelerate gender equality including equal rights, power and opportunities?’’

A huge thank you to the Ministry of Education and Higher Education, the British Council, Arab and Foreign Ambassadors, Lebanese Diplomats and UN Heads of Mission for supporting the initiative.

The British Ambassador to Lebanon, Hamish Cowell said:

Congratulations to 30 remarkable young girls whose creative and insightful entries inspired us. Your voices are powerful and your impact is real. Be proud of this incredible achievement — young leaders like you are shaping a brighter, more inclusive future for Lebanon.

The Canadian Ambassador to Lebanon, Stefanie McCollum said:

Inclusion is not limited to questions of gender equality. Canada believes that inclusion means taking into account the experiences of people facing discrimination based on gender, income, race, religion, language, ability and age, in everything that we do. I’m hopeful that you will carry on values of diversity and inclusion as you pursue your education, and eventually your careers.

The Jordanian Ambassador to Lebanon, Walid Al Hadid said:

Empowering women is not only a matter of justice, but a cornerstone of resilient and prosperous societies. No nation can truly thrive when half of its voices remain unheard. The creativity and determination shown by the 30 young participants reflect a spirit we deeply value, and one that resonates with Jordan’s continued efforts to promote rights, inclusion, and equal opportunity. Your voices matter, and I am confident you will help shape a more just and inclusive future.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 May 2025.

The Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury and the Isle of Man Treasury Minister agree to joint working to crack down on promoters of tax avoidance schemes.

Isle of Man Treasury Minister Dr Alex Allinson MHK held a virtual meeting with the UK Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury James Murray MP earlier today (27 May).

Following the meeting they issued this joint statement:

The UK and the Isle of Man have a long-standing history of collaboration in the fight against tax avoidance and evasion, and in our successful cooperative efforts to promote transparency while ensuring that our tax systems are robust and fair.

The UK and the Isle of Man were amongst the early adopters of the Common Reporting Standard, which facilitates the automatic exchange of financial account information between jurisdictions, and are both working on the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework which will see the automatic exchange of information on crypto-assets. Both jurisdictions have also recently implemented measures in relation to the Global Base Erosion Rules under the OECD’s Pillar 2 Global Minimum Tax.

Both governments are committed to taking robust action to deter and disrupt the activities of those who seek to promote marketed tax avoidance schemes that threaten our tax systems and the reputations of our well-established and globally-attractive service sectors. This proactive stance safeguards tax revenues and ensures fairness for all taxpayers.

Recognising the need to go further, and noting the UK Government’s ongoing consultation on steps to crack down on promoters of marketed tax avoidance schemes, we are pleased that we have been able to agree today to explore ways to further enhance information flows, joint working and other ways in which tangible benefits for both jurisdictions can be achieved.

We look forward to continuing our partnership and achieving tangible results in our shared objective of combatting tax avoidance and evasion.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 27 May 2025.

As part of the Luxembourg Urban Garden (LUGA) exhibition, Ambassador Olivier is opening the garden of her official residence to the public for a one-day event.

On Thursday 5 June, visitors will have the rare chance to explore a garden that offers one of the most beautiful and unique views over the Pétrusse valley, home to several LUGA installations.

The visit will focus on sustainability and biodiversity, with guided tours led by the eco agents from St George’s International School. These students, from both Primary and Secondary, will highlight the garden’s green features and showcase their own sustainability projects.

Entry is free but places are limited, and each guest must register individually here: https://bit.ly/BritishEmbassyLUGA

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to discover a peaceful, tucked-away corner of Luxembourg City and see it through the eyes of the next generation of environmental leaders.