Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 April 2025.

The Foreign Secretary will host Foreign Ministers of the Weimar+ group for critical talks on repelling Russian aggression and bolstering European security.

• Work continues at pace with the ‘Weimar+ group in London to ensure Europe is together responding to security challenges to protect our citizens
• Looking ahead to the UK-EU summit on 19 May, Foreign Secretary brings together European partners in pursuit of a just and lasting peace for Ukraine
• The meeting builds on wider UK-European collaboration, following European leaders including the Prime Minister meeting President Zelenskyy in Kyiv over the weekend

The Foreign Secretary will host Foreign Ministers of the Weimar+ group today (12 May 2025) at Lancaster House for critical talks on repelling Russian aggression and bolstering European security.

Representatives from France, Italy, Germany, Spain, Poland and the EU will join Foreign Secretary David Lammy in London.  It follows a historic visit on Saturday by the leaders of the UK, France, Germany and Poland to Kyiv during which, alongside the US, they called for Russia to agree to a 30-day ceasefire to allow for unfettered peace talks.

Hosted in the UK for the first time, today’s Weimar+ meeting is the sixth time these major European powers have come together in this format.

Ukraine’s rightful future is a just and lasting peace. Putin’s refusal to engage seriously in peace talks is forcing that future into improbability. This is a critical moment to secure the future of Ukraine. The Foreign Secretary will make clear at Weimar+ that Europe’s leaders must stand strong in our unwavering support for Ukraine’s right to peace and freedom.

Foreign Secretary, David Lammy, said:

We are facing a once-in-a-generation moment for the collective security of our continent. The challenge we face today is not only about the future of Ukraine – it is existential for Europe as a whole.

I have brought our friends and partners to London to make clear that we must stand together, allied in our protection of sovereignty, of peace and of Ukraine.

A strong and secure Britain is a foundation of our Plan for Change. This cannot be achieved without standing up to Putin and strengthening our shared European security.

To further resist Putin’s attacks on Ukraine, the international order and peace, the Foreign Secretary is gathering Allies for discussions on both our joint efforts to strengthen European security and secure a just and lasting peace for Ukraine.

This builds on a drumbeat of collaboration between the UK and the EU on defence and security. On top of Saturday’s meeting attended by the Prime Minister, the Foreign Secretary on Friday joined European ministers in Lviv to announce the UK’s support for the establishment of a Special Tribunal, to hold those responsible for the crime of aggression against Ukraine to account. This followed the Foreign Secretary visiting Poland to join the Gymnich meeting, where he highlighted the need for a new, ambitious security relationship between the UK and Europe that will support economic growth, protect citizens, and support European collective security and defence. The Weimar+ is an important opportunity to continue driving forward these talks with EU member states.

The Weimar+ meeting comes days ahead of the UK-EU Summit (19 May), which will cover a range of UK-EU issues and look to foster a stable, positive and forward-looking relationship.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 May 2025.

Director for South-East Asia and Pacific, Charles Hay MVO is visiting Cambodia to see the positive impact of the UK’s Global Mine Action Programme in Cambodia.

FCDO Director for South-East Asia and Pacific, Charles Hay MVO is visiting Cambodia this week to see the positive impact of the UK’s Global Mine Action Programme (GMAP) on communities in Cambodia.

During a field visit to HALO Trust operations at Kulen Mountain, Siem Reap province on 12 May 2025, Mr Hay saw first-hand the clearance operations and met with local beneficiaries whose communities have been made safer and more prosperous through the UK’s long-standing support for mine action.

Director for South-East Asia and Pacific, Charles Hay MVO said:

Meeting with local communities in Kulen Mountain, I’ve seen how our Global Mine Action Programme is transforming lives across Cambodia. Fields once deadly with explosives are now productive farmland where children play safely.

The bravery of HALO Trust’s deminers is extraordinary – their meticulous work under challenging conditions is making Cambodia’s 2030 mine-free goal achievable. Our programme is delivering real results, having already cleared over 151 million square metres of contaminated land.

As one of Cambodia’s longest-established mine-action partners, we’ve seen clearly Cambodia’s evolution from recipient to partner -it is impressive to see Cambodia today sharing its deep expertise with demining operations worldwide, including Ukraine. This exemplifies the sustainable impact of our long-standing partnership.

The UK Global Mine Action Programme has cleared, confirmed safe and released over 151 million square metres of land in Cambodia since 2014. The programme has also delivered risk education to 481,440 people living in mine-affected communities. Since 1993, the UK has invested approximately £60 million in Cambodia’s demining efforts, helping to clear over 65,000 anti-personnel mines and benefiting more than 600,000 people. Under the current GMAP programme, operations will continue with existing funding of US $2.9million in 2025/2026.

The visit included strategic meetings with Senior Minister Ly Thuch, Vice President of Cambodia Mine Action Authority and Lieutenant Uch Vantha, Deputy Chief of Army of Royal Cambodia Army to enhance coordination on clearance priorities within the existing GMAP framework. These discussions focused on strengthening partnerships between HALO Trust and Cambodian authorities to maximise the impact of ongoing efforts.

The UK is also an effective advocate for innovative finance mechanisms that bring additional funding into the demining sector and transform post-conflict land into productive farmland. Since 2023, the UK has been supporting the $1.8 million (£1.395 million) Mine Action Development Impact Bond ‘Minefields to Rice Fields’, led by APOPO and its partners. The project successfully released over 7.6 million square meters of land in Preah Vihear Province, removing 445 anti-personnel mines and 184 explosive remnants of war, benefiting 2610 people.

The Mine fields to Rice fields project stands as a powerful example of how strategic demining and sustainable agriculture can work hand in hand to create lasting economic and social impact in post-conflict regions. FCDO and APOPO are currently looking for additional investors to sustain the project beyond 2026.

As one of the founding signatories to the 1997 Mine Ban Treaty, the UK continues as a leading partner in Cambodia’s journey toward becoming mine-free by 2030.

The demining sector has created thousands of jobs for Cambodians, including empowering women in both demining and management positions, and creating opportunities for staff with disabilities, including landmine victims.

Further information

• Charles Hay is a senior British diplomat.  He served as the UK’s High Commissioner to Malaysia from 2019 until 2023 and as the UK’s Ambassador to the Republic of Korea from 2015 to 2018
• regional conflict and civil war left Cambodia with one of the highest densities of landmines in the world
• the UK has been a leading player in demining in Cambodia through bilateral interventions and the Global Mine Action Programme for more than 30 years
• the Global Mine Action Programme provided £2.2 million to support the work of MAG and HALO in Cambodia in FY24/25 and is providing a further £2.2 million in FY25/26.Through our partnership with Cambodia Mine Action Authority, we supported the Siem Reap Review conference – providing Wilton Park and financial support in November 2024
• under GMAP, HALO has delivered clearance, risk education and explosive ordnance disposal in western provinces including Battambang, Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Palin, Siem Reap, Preah Vihear, Pursat, and Koh Kong
• HALO Trust’s headquarters in Siem Reap now serves as a global training hub, sharing Cambodia’s expertise with mine clearance operations worldwide

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 13 May 2025.

Joint statement by the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Spain, the United Kingdom plus the EU High Representative, following their meeting in London.

We met in London on 12 May to discuss Russian aggression against Ukraine and Euro-Atlantic security.

On Ukraine, we reiterated our solidarity with the Ukrainian people, our sympathy for the victims of recent attacks by Russia, and our full support for Ukraine’s security, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders.

We welcomed US-led peace efforts and the prospect of further talks this week.  So far, Russia has not shown any serious intent to make progress.  It must do so without delay.  We joined Ukraine in calling for an immediate, full, unconditional 30-day ceasefire to create space for talks on a just, comprehensive and lasting peace.

Any peace will only last if it is based on international law including the UN Charter and Ukraine is able to deter and defend against any future Russian attack.

We discussed how we would further step up European efforts to support Ukraine in its ongoing defence against Russia’s war of aggression.  Ukraine should be confident in its ability to continue to resist successfully Russian aggression with our support.

Strong Ukrainian armed forces will be vital.  We agreed to work with Ukraine on initiatives to strengthen Ukraine’s armed forces, restock munitions and equipment, and further enhance industrial capacity.

We are committed to robust security guarantees for Ukraine.  This includes exploring the creation of a coalition of air, land and maritime reassurance forces that could help create confidence in any future peace and support the regeneration of Ukraine’s armed forces.  And we will work on new reconstruction and recovery commitments, including at the Ukraine Recovery Conference in Rome on 10-11 July, to ensure that Ukraine’s future security is underpinned by a vibrant economy.

We agreed to pursue ambitious measures to reduce Russia’s ability to wage war by limiting Kremlin revenues, disrupting the shadow fleet, tightening the Oil Price Cap, and reducing our remaining imports of Russian energy.  We will keep Russian sovereign assets in our jurisdictions immobilised until Russia ceases its aggression and pays for the damage caused.

On Euro-Atlantic security, we reaffirmed that NATO is the bedrock of our security and prosperity.  The Alliance has secured peace for over 75 years.  A strong, united NATO, based on a strong transatlantic bond, an ironclad commitment to defend each other, and fair burden-sharing, is essential to maintain this.

European countries must play a still greater role in assuring our own security.  We will further strengthen NATO and the contribution of European Allies by stepping up security and defence expenditure to meet the requirement to deter and defend across all domains in the Euro-Atlantic area.

We will use all feasible levers to strengthen our collective defence capability and production and reinforce Europe’s technological and industrial base. To that end, we will build on work in NATO, the EU and likeminded groups to achieve these goals.

An enhanced security and defence relationship between the UK and EU is key to improving the lives of our people and making our continent more safe and secure, as will enhanced cooperation between NATO and the EU on the basis of the three Joint Declarations, and greater co-operation with Ukraine.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 10 May 2025.

G7 foreign ministers gave a statement on India and Pakistan.

Joint statement:

We, the G7 Foreign Ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States of America and the High Representative of the European Union, strongly condemn the egregious terrorist attack in Pahalgam on April 22 and urge maximum restraint from both India and Pakistan. Further military escalation poses a serious threat to regional stability. We are deeply concerned for the safety of civilians on both sides.

We call for immediate de-escalation and encourage both countries to engage in direct dialogue towards a peaceful outcome. We continue to monitor events closely and express our support for a swift and lasting diplomatic resolution.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2025.

Mrs Sarah Hulton OBE has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines and His Majesty’s non-resident Ambassador to the Republic of Palau in succession to Ms Laure Beaufils.  Mrs Hulton will take up her appointment during September 2025.

Curriculum Vitae

Full name: Sarah Anne Pascale Hulton

Year	Role
2024 to present	Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Interim Director Overseas Territories and Polar Directorate
2024	FCDO, Deputy Director Human Resources
2023 to 2024	FCDO, Interim Director Geopolitics & Deputy Political Director
2019 to 2023	Colombo, British High Commissioner
2018 to 2019	FCO, Deputy Director Human Resources
2017 to 2018	FCO, Head of DPRK Department
2015 to 2017	FCO, Head of Pacific Department
2012 to 2015	Harare, Head of Political Section
2010 to 2010	FCO, Head of Conflict Prevention Team
2008 to 2010	FCO, Head of Weapons of Mass Destruction Controls
2005 to 2008	Manila, Second Secretary Political PPA
2004 to 2005	FCO, Full time language training, Tagalog
2003 to 2004	FCO, Counter Terrorism Desk Officer
2002 to 2003	FCO, Head of Child Abduction Unit, Consular Human Rights
2002	Joined FCO

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2025.

Mr Bilal Zahid has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to the Slovak Republic in succession to Mr Nigel Baker OBE MVO who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Zahid will take up his appointment during September 2025.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Bilal Zahid

Date	Role
2024 to present	Full Time Language Training
2023 to 2024	Kyiv, Minister Counsellor
2022 to 2023	FCDO, Joint Head of Ukraine Campaign Unit
2020 to 2022	FCO, then FCDO, Additional Director, Eastern Europe and Central Asia
2016 to 2020	Northern Ireland Office, Deputy Director
2015 to 2016	Northern Ireland Office, Head of Political Section
2013 to 2015	Deputy Prime Minister’s Office, Private Secretary for Foreign Affairs
2011 to 2013	Cabinet Office, Policy Adviser, National Security Secretariat
2009 to 2011	Northern Ireland Office, Fast Stream roles

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2025.

Ambassador Holland reflects on the framework for stability that we have collectively built since the end of WW2 which, when respected, has the potential to prevent further conflict.

Thank you, Madam Chair.  This week marks the 80th anniversary of the end, on the European continent, of the most devastating conflict in human history.  The scale of human loss and suffering during the Second World War was vast: tens of millions of people killed; a Holocaust resulting in the destruction of Europe’s Jewish communities; entire cities and regions totally flattened; and, populations permanently displaced.

This week is an opportunity to pay tribute to the brave men and women who fought to end this war and who made peace possible.  It is an opportunity to reflect on the terrible costs of conflict.  But it is also an opportunity to recall and cherish what we have collectively built since this dark episode in our shared history.

Because, from the ashes of war, a new epoch was born, one with international collaboration and shared values at its core.  It led to the creation of new institutions, principles and commitments that have played a pivotal role in maintaining peace and stability across our continent and beyond for decades.  In declaring a vision to make war between historic rivals not merely unthinkable, but materially impossible, Robert Schuman captured the spirit of the time.

Key elements of this framework include the UN Charter, the Helsinki Final Act and the Charter of Paris.  They clearly set out how we should expect countries to behave towards each other and to their citizens.  These fundamentals – such as sovereignty, territorial integrity and respect for human rights – have proven, when respected, to be a recipe for stability, prosperity and mutual security.  It should be no surprise that, when we examine the conflicts that have taken place on our continent since 1945, all of them can trace their origins to a violation of one or more of these fundamental principles.

Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine is a clear example.  Russia invaded Ukraine without provocation, in violation of the UN Charter and Helsinki Final Act.  This war, and the disinformation campaign that seeks to justify it, disrespects the memory of those who died fighting genuine tyranny.  It could end tomorrow if Russia made the right choices and lived up to its commitments.  Instead of tokenistic ceasefires drawn up at whim, it could choose to engage seriously and agree to an unconditional 30-day ceasefire, as Ukraine has done, to create space for talks on a just and lasting peace.  As the post-Second World War record shows, a just peace that lives up to these principles would be the best guarantee of our mutual security, including Russia’s.

The sacrifices made by previous generations compel us to protect and stand by the principles we have all signed up to. It is our duty to preserve the legacy they fought so hard to achieve.  And to spare our own and future generations from the burden of picking through the ashes of conflict to rebuild our continent once again.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2025.

Statement by the UK’s Permanent Representative to the WTO and UN, Simon Manley, at Kuwait’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Mr President,

Let me welcome the Minister and the delegation to Geneva, and welcome too the role Kuwait has played as a member of the Council.

We recognise the positive steps Kuwait has taken to improve and protect women’s rights. These include the abolition of Article 153 of the Penal Code and raising the marriage age to 18.

However, some areas warrant attention, including the nationality campaign’s disproportionate effect on women, the reported re-emergence of capital punishment and shrinking space for public debate.

We recommend that Kuwait:

1. Implements policies to ensure that ’Article 8’ women, whose Kuwaiti nationality has been revoked, continue to receive access, without discrimination, to employment, justice and social services.

2. Strengthens protections for migrant workers.

3. Returns to a position of non-application of the death penalty.

4. Ensures that freedoms of opinion and expression are protected in line with Kuwaiti law.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2025.

UK Statement on Guyana, delivered at Guyana’s Universal Periodic Review at the Human Rights Council in Geneva.

Thank you, Mr Vice-President,

We welcome the steps taken by Guyana to improve the legal framework for human rights, including efforts to advance gender equality.

Yet challenges remain, particularly in protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, including LGBT+ individuals and persons with disabilities, as well as safeguarding fundamental freedoms such as press freedom and civic space.

Ongoing efforts to strengthen human rights must be complemented by tangible action to address these concerns and ensure that all citizens, including marginalised communities, can fully enjoy their rights without fear of discrimination or violence.

We recommend that Guyana:

1. Takes steps to safeguard press freedom and ensure the independence of the media, by refraining from intimidation, ensuring equitable access to state resources for all media outlets and committing to international press standards.
2. Strengthens civic participation by establishing formal and transparent mechanisms for regular consultations with civil society organisations on policy development.
3. Continues to strengthen legal protections for LGBT+ individuals, by decriminalising consensual same-sex relations between adults, and combatting discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 9 May 2025.

The ceremony involved wreath laying by invited guests, including the Governor General of Solomon Islands, His Excellency David Kapu and other dignitaries.

On Thursday 8 May, the British High Commission in Solomon Islands celebrated Victory in Europe (VE) Day 80 years on from when the Second World War ended in Europe.

Held at the High Commissioner’s official residence at Tanuli in Honiara, the ceremony involved the laying of wreathes by invited guests, including the Governor General of Solomon Islands, H.E David Kapu; Australian High Commissioner to Solomon Islands H.E Rod Hilton and his Acting Defence Advisor Bret Verity and New Zealand High Commissioner to Solomon Islands H.E Jonathan Curr.

Others included the Japanese Ambassador H.E Keiichi Higuchi; United States Chargée d’Affaires Ms Kristine Marsh, Reverend Wilfred Kekea from the Anglican Church of Melanesia; Westminster Foundation for Democracy Country Director Vatina Devesi; Rosalind Manekaea from the Guides and Joe Billy Oge from the Scout Movement.

Speaking at the service British High Commissioner to Solomon Islands and Non-Resident High Commissioner to Nauru, His Excellency Paul Turner said:

More than ever, it is important to remember and honour those who sacrificed their lives to fight fascism in Europe. The war in Ukraine and the unprovoked attack by Russia showed that peace and security in Europe and across the world was in a perilous state. Systems of international law and justice – which we had grown up with since the end of World War II – were now under attack from regimes such as the one in Russia.

The war in the Far East did not end until 15 August 1945, when Japan surrendered, which was celebrated across the world as ‘Victory over Japan’ (VJ Day). The 80th anniversary of VJ Day takes place on Friday 15 August 2025, commemorating the end of the Second World War.

The Second World War touched every aspect of life and had a devastating impact on those who experienced it, and for the generations after. From the sailors, soldiers and aviators who fought, to children who were evacuated, and all those who stepped into essential roles on the home front, we owe it to the Second World War generation who 80 years ago fought for our freedom and paid the ultimate sacrifice in giving generations lasting peace.

Through a series of national and local events, we unite to pay tribute to the millions of people across the UK and Commonwealth who served in the Second World War as well as echoing the same celebrations 80 years ago as the population welcomed the end of the war.

While VE and VJ Day 80 have been an opportunity for celebration, as it was across the streets of Britain in 1945, these commemorations were also one of the last opportunities to honour our living Second World War veterans.

There is also a younger generation for whom the events of the Second World War – the sacrifices made, and the reasons for them – seem like distant history. It will be a time for us to come together to listen to their stories and reflect on their values that ensured the Allied victory – service and selflessness across our nation.

In an increasingly uncertain and fragmented world, this anniversary has never been more important. It is only by learning from conflicts such as the Second World War and listening to their devastating effects from those who experienced them, that we bring to life the realities of war, especially for younger generations, so that they can learn about the horrors that it entailed and the sacrifices necessary to preserve peace and freedom.

This year is particularly poignant, as it is one of the last opportunities to honour the living Second World War veterans, who fought so hard to preserve peace and freedom that enables our shared way of life.

It is vital that we learn from their stories and ensure they are told to generations to come, in order that younger generations understand what they were fighting for and the horrors that conflicts on this scale can bring.