Tag: Foreign Office

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

Foreign Secretary David Lammy will visit Lviv today in joint show of support for Ukraine, as the UK announces sanctions on 100 ships in the Russian shadow fleet.

• Foreign Secretary David Lammy will visit Lviv today [Friday 9 May] in joint show of support for Ukraine’s future in Europe
• visiting Lviv, European partners will reaffirm their commitment to securing a just and lasting peace
• for the first time, ministers will also confirm their support for the establishment of a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine

Visiting Lviv to stand in solidarity with Ukraine in their defence against Russia’s illegal invasion, Foreign Secretary David Lammy will join European ministers in the city to hold further talks on securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

He will also, alongside representatives of the Core Group of at least 37 countries, announce united and ardent support for the establishment of a Special Tribunal, to hold those responsible for the crime of aggression against Ukraine to account.

Today’s events come as the Prime Minister announced a major package of sanctions to target the decrepit and dangerous shadow fleet carrying Russian oil. Our world-leading sanctions have plunged Putin’s ships into crisis. According to some estimates, sanctions have crippled 200 ships – almost half of Putin’s entire fleet.

The UK has been clear that the security of the UK, which underpins this government’s Plan for Change, starts in Ukraine. Securing a just and lasting peace in Ukraine and combating Russia’s malign influence around the world mean a safer Britain at home. We are boosting our defence spending , with an increase of £13.4 billion year on year, to respond to these challenges.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

Today – and every day – we stand with Ukraine. We stand for a just and lasting peace, for a secure Europe, and for accountability and justice. I have been supportive of a Special Tribunal to prosecute Russia’s leaders for their war of aggression since March 2022, just weeks after Putin’s full-scale invasion. This was a key manifesto commitment and as soon as we came into government, we made it a top priority.

We stand against Putin, against his stalling and backtracking on peace, and against his dodgy shadow fleet of oil tankers. We are determined to sink his failing ambition to fund his illegal war through them – that is why we have today unleashed the largest package of sanctions against them, with 110 targets.

We call on Russia to drop the gimmicks and agree to an unconditional ceasefire as Ukraine has done. Those standing with Putin today in Moscow should reflect on the lessons of history: peace will always prevail and aggressors will never be allowed to succeed.

Through our 100 Year Partnership, this government’s Plan for Change and our ongoing military and diplomatic support, the UK’s commitment to Ukraine is stronger than ever.

The Foreign Secretary will join 17 other foreign ministers and Ukrainian Minister for Foreign Affairs Andrii Sybiha to discuss the next steps for an enduring peace in Europe. European ministers will make clear that they are united in support of Ukraine and its clear commitment to peace, and condemn Putin’s stalling, backtracking and ongoing bombardment of Ukrainian civilians.

The Special Tribunal meeting is a milestone moment, as we now have the legal foundations for a Tribunal, following the culmination of more than two years of careful and complex negotiations among at least 37 states to deliver a united position on justice and accountability. The government is delivering on its manifesto, and the UK is building on its commitments as part of the UK-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership.

The UK will also provide nearly £25 million in new funding to support local Ukrainian organisations protect the most vulnerable who continue to suffer from Russia’s ongoing aggression.

This includes £10 million to HAVEN to protect and evacuate civilians in frontline areas where Russian attacks continue and £5 million to Mercy Corps so they can support local organisations to meet people’s basic needs as quickly as possible in an emergency. £9.4 million will go to the Ukrainian Red Cross who continue to build up Ukraine’s country-wide emergency response to urgent humanitarian needs. Some of this funding will improve access to and the quality of recovery and rehabilitation services, including for veterans.

The Foreign Secretary’s visit comes as Ukrainian grain and other food produce, supported by £3 million provided by the UK for the World Food Programme to send produce to Syria, arrives in Türkiye to be distributed worldwide. This Ukrainian produce provides a lifeline to the most vulnerable around the world including in Syria with Ukrainian grain crucial for global food security. In stark contrast, Russia repeatedly attacked Ukrainian port infrastructure and ships and has imposed conditions on a Black Sea ceasefire.

Today’s meeting in Lviv highlights the strength of European unity. Today, and its historical importance, should service as a reminder that peace, respect of sovereignty, and justice will always prevail.

The British people have never once wavered in their support for Ukraine. Supporting them means defending our shared democratic values and Ukraine’s right to determine its own future in a free and peaceful Europe.

Background

• negotiations on the Special Tribunal will now move to the Council of Europe, where the next stage will involve finalising the legal framework and discussions around how to operationalise the Tribunal. Once established, the Tribunal will complement the International Criminal Court’s active investigation and Ukrainian efforts to hold perpetrators of war crimes to account in their own courts

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2025.

The FCDO has released a statement following ballistic missile launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 8 May.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

DPRK’s ballistic missile launches on 8 May are another breach of multiple UN Security Council resolutions (UNSCRs). Unlawful ballistic missile launches continue to destabilise the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula.

The UK strongly urges the DPRK to stop such provocations and return to dialogue.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2025.

UK and others call for action to safeguard media freedom across the OSCE.

Madam Chair,

I am delivering this statement on behalf of the following participating States that are members of the informal Group of Friends on Safety of Journalists: Austria, Canada, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and the United Kingdom and my own country France.

Last week, on 3 May, we marked the World Press Freedom Day. This day serves as a reminder for States to respect their commitments and obligations regarding press freedom. It is also an opportunity for us all to show our support for media that are affected by restrictions of press freedom, and a day of remembrance of journalists and media actors who lost their lives in the line of duty.

As the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media has consistently highlighted: there is no security without media freedom. There can be no media freedom if journalists and other media actors cannot work safely and freely. Despite ample commitments and obligations in the field of human rights, media freedom and the safety of journalists, the challenges in the OSCE area are manifold. Journalists and media actors are being harassed, threatened, imprisoned or even killed. Legislation seeking to restrict the space for civil society, journalists and media actors is being implemented in several participating States. Challenges in the digital sphere, such as disinformation, information manipulation and smear campaigns, adverse impacts of AI, and online violence and harassment spurring physical attacks, all  pose additional pressure on the safety of journalists and media freedom in the OSCE area. As highlighted by the RFoM, female journalists face a double burden as they are being attacked as journalists and as women.

More than three years into Russia’s unprovoked and unjustifiable war of aggression against Ukraine, with the complicity of Belarus, media freedom and the safety of journalists continue to be severely affected. According to Reporters Without Borders, 13 journalists have been killed by Russian forces, at least 47 Ukrainian and foreign journalists have been injured while reporting due to attacks by Russian armed forces. According to the International Press Institute, at least 20 Ukrainian journalists are currently in Russian captivity. The Moscow Mechanism report of April 2024 also found that journalists are among the thousands of Ukrainian civilians arbitrarily detained by Russia. We continue to be deeply concerned about the treatment of Ukrainian journalist Viktoriia Roshchyna. Russia continues attacking media facilities in Ukraine. On 13 April 2025, several media offices in Sumy were damaged as a result of a Russian strike. On the night of 6 April 2025, an office building in Kyiv used by Inomovlennya, Ukraine’s state service for foreign broadcasting, was damaged as a result of Russian strikes on the city.

In Russia, the systematic, state-sponsored repression is intensifying, including through the silencing of dissenting voices, civil society and independent media. Also in Belarus, the systematic and widespread repression continues unabated and intensifies. At least 38 journalists and media actors are currently detained in Russia, and 45 in Belarus. We call on Russia and Belarus to immediately and unconditionally release all those arbitrarily detained and imprisoned, including journalists and media actors.

We are following with deep concern the developments regarding media freedom and how it is affected by the spread of so-called “foreign agents” laws and other legislation restricting the possibilities for journalists and media actors to operate. In Georgia, the rushed adoption of repressive legislation is fundamentally incompatible with core democratic principles. We repeat our call on Georgia to immediately and unconditionally release all journalists and media actors arbitrarily detained or arrested, and to engage in genuine dialogue with the RFoM and ODIHR. In Azerbaijan, there has been a concerning increase in cases against independent journalists and free media outlets. We call on Azerbaijan to honour its OSCE commitments and ensure all its citizens due legal process and access to free and independent media. All those detained for exercising their fundamental rights should be released. Regarding Türkiye, we echo the statement by the RFoM calling for the swift release of journalists arrested while covering recent demonstrations.

Madam Chair,

Let us take the opportunity of the World Press Freedom Day to honor those journalists and media actors that risk their lives and safety to keep us informed, and to reiterate our commitment to implementing our joint commitments and international obligations in the field of human rights and media freedom.

I thank you and request that you attach a copy of this statement to the Journal of the Day.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2025.

Ambassador Holland welcomes the work of the OSCE Mission towards preventing escalation and finding practical solutions to issues, amid the challenging backdrop of energy shortages during the reporting period.

Thank you, Mr Chair.

I would like to offer a warm welcome to Ambassador Keiderling for the final time at the Permanent Council as Head of the OSCE Mission to Moldova. Thank you to you and your team for the Mission’s work over the last six months, and for the comprehensive presentation this morning.

The United Kingdom fully supports the work of the Mission towards preventing escalation, mitigating a deterioration of relations between Chisinau and Tiraspol and finding practical solutions to the challenges of everyday life for all citizens on both banks of the Nistru. We regret Russia’s continued instrumentalisation of the Mission’s mandate and reiterate our call for a return to a full 12-month directive to ensure the Mission has the stability and predictability it needs to fulfil its vital role.

The UK commends the Mission’s efforts across its three lines of action during the reporting period, amid the challenging backdrop of energy shortages on both banks. We appreciate the constructive engagement between Chisinau and Tiraspol and the Mission’s role in facilitating dialogue through the Chief Negotiators and Working Groups. We also welcome the engagement of Special Representative Thomas Lenk during this period.

The UK again notes the lack of progress Russia has made in withdrawing its illegally stationed troops from Moldovan sovereign territory, which runs in direct contradiction to other efforts. Russia must remove its forces without delay and present a considered proposal to resume the process of removal and destruction of ammunition from the Cobasna site.

As our Foreign Secretary stated during his visit to Moldova in November, the UK will not stand by as the Kremlin attempts to undermine democracy, stability and security across Europe. As shown by the signing last year of the UK-Moldova Defence and Security Partnership, the UK is strengthening its commitment to Moldova’s security. At the UK-Moldova Strategic Dialogue yesterday, our officials were proud to reaffirm UK support on cyber, counter-disinformation and judicial cooperation to help Moldova to defend its democratic institutions from malign interference.

To conclude, Ambassador Keiderling, the UK highly appreciates the energy and dedication that you have brought to the role and towards advancing a peaceful resolution. As we look ahead to parliamentary elections in September, the United Kingdom will continue to support the OSCE Mission in fulfilling its mandate, and to support peace and stability for the people of Moldova.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2025.

Ambassador Holland urges Russia to respond substantively to the Moscow Mechanism recommendations and prove they are serious about peace by agreeing to a full and unconditional ceasefire.

Thank you, Mister Chair.  Minister Betsa, thank you for your address today.  What an excellent exposé of what is at stake.  Thank you being here and for reminding us once again.

We welcome Ukraine’s continued commitment to achieving a just and lasting peace, as you have reaffirmed in your statement.

President Zelenskyy has shown his commitment to peace by agreeing in principle to a full and unconditional ceasefire.  By contrast, President Putin has not only refused to agree to that but has further stepped-up attacks on Ukrainian cities with drones and missiles.  In April Russia intensified strikes on Ukrainian cities, killing at least 151 civilians. And just yesterday, as Russia spoke of yet another artificial ceasefire, Moscow launched a ballistic missile and drone attack on a residential area of Kyiv, killing at least 2 people and injury 8, including 4 children.

If President Putin were serious about peace, Russia would agree to a full and immediate ceasefire, as Ukraine has done. His 72-hour Victory Day proposal is another transparently cynical pause which does not create the necessary conditions for talks aimed at achieving a lasting peace.  It cannot be taken seriously, particularly given Ukraine’s experience of President Putin’s so-called truce over Easter: the UK’s Defence Intelligence found no indication that a ceasefire on the frontline was observed by Russia, despite President Putin’s promises.

We will judge President Putin by his actions not his words, and his actions suggest he has no interest in peace.  To prove he is serious about peace he must agree to the full and unconditional ceasefire offered by Ukraine and supported by the United States.

Mister Chair, earlier this week the Human Rights Centre Zmina organised a side event in the margins of the Supplementary Human Dimension Meeting on the issue of civil society resistance and losses during Russia’s war against Ukraine.  It placed a spotlight on the vital work of Ukraine’s brave civil society members and the high price that too many of them have tragically paid for their work amid Russia’s war.

Russia continues to arbitrarily detain thousands of Ukrainian civilians, including human rights defenders and journalists.  This was established by a mission of independent experts who, a little over a year ago, reported to the Permanent Council following the invocation of the Moscow Mechanism.

The Mission found that detainees had been subjected to torture and other cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, sexual violence and other forms of serious mistreatment.  The Mission also recorded cases of extrajudicial killings of arbitrarily detained Ukrainian civilians.

The expert mission made a range of recommendations to the Russian Federation.  A year later, these remain unanswered; just like those from the other four Moscow Mechanism reports.  We urge the Russian Federation to respond substantively to all these recommendations and release, without delay, all Ukrainian civilians who continue to be held arbitrarily.

Thank you, Mister Chair.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 May 2025.

Ms Kara Owen CMG CVO has been appointed His Majesty’s Ambassador to Ireland in succession to Mr Paul Johnston.  Ms Owen will take up her appointment during September 2025.

Curriculum vitae

Full name: Kara Justine Owen

Year	Role
July 2024 to present	Projects/ pre-posting preparation with FCDO
2019 to 2024	Singapore, British High Commissioner
2016 to 2019	FCO, Director, Americas
2012 to 2016	Paris, Deputy Head of Mission
2011 to 2012	FCO, Head of Strategy and Network Department, Consular
2009 to 2011	FCO, Director for Diversity and Equality
2005 to 2009	Hanoi, Deputy Head of Mission
2003 to 2005	FCO, Private Secretary to the Foreign Secretary
2001 to 2003	FCO, Assistant Private Secretary to Junior Ministers
2000 to 2001	FCO, EU Policy Officer
1996 to 2000	Hong Kong, Vice Consul and later Vice Consul political
1995 to 1996	FCO, Cantonese language training
1993 to 1995	FCO, Joint Assistance Unit (Know How Fund)
1993	Joined FCO

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2025.

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

Analysis from organisations like the Open Source Centre has become even more vital in the wake of the expertise gap left by the 1718 Panel of Experts.

One year on, the UK deeply regrets Russia’s decision to veto the mandate renewal of the 1718 Panel of Experts.

This was a deliberate act used to obfuscate and embolden the DPRK’s unlawful pursuit of weapons of mass destruction, and to conceal Russia’s own erosion of the UN sanctions architecture, which it has a responsibility to uphold as a permanent member of this Council.

The Panel’s credible, objective and independent reporting enabled this Council and the international community to effectively monitor the implementation of UN sanctions on the DPRK.

Most importantly, the Panel helped prevent the DPRK’s unlawful and dangerous development of nuclear and ballistic missile programmes.

Since Russia’s veto last year, there have been over 40 missile tests, including one intercontinental ballistic missile test and one intermediate-range ballistic missile test.

This escalation represents multiple breaches of UN Security Council resolutions, for which we have been deprived of further analysis.

Colleagues, it is obvious that Russia’s objective was to clear the path for the expansion of their military relationship with the DPRK.

The DPRK is believed to have supplied 20,000 containers of munitions to Russia, and its artillery and mortar shells account for 60% of those used in Russia’s brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.

And as we’ve heard, in the past week, Russia and the DPRK publicly flaunted their agreement to use DPRK troops as mere cannon fodder in that war.

Let me be clear, we cannot allow this brazen disregard towards UN sanctions to become normalised.

The UK will continue to work closely with partners to monitor sanctions evasion, to hold both Russia and the DPRK to account, and to call out those complicit in the DPRK’s violations of UN Security Council resolutions.

As we have heard over the course of the NPT Prepcom, this Council should stand firm in its defence of the global non-proliferation regime.

The UK remains steadfast with partners in our shared goal for the DPRK to abandon all nuclear weapons, other weapons of mass destruction and ballistic missile programs in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2025.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki, UK Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN General Assembly meeting on the Eightieth anniversary of the end of the Second World War.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 May 2025.

Foreign Secretary heads to EU Foreign Ministers meeting to highlight the need for a new, ambitious security relationship.

• UK joins high-level Gymnich talks with the EU Foreign Ministers in Poland at critical time as well as travelling to the Western Balkans
• support for Ukraine will be high on the agenda as well as enhancing UK-EU security and defence ties
• strengthening the UK’s security partnership with Europe will deliver on the government’s Plan for Change by bolstering national security

The UK is continuing to engage with Europe highlighting the need for a new, ambitious security relationship, as the Foreign Secretary attends high-level Gymnich EU talks in Poland (7 May).

At the discussion on foreign affairs, David Lammy will underline how closer cooperation on security and defence is in the interests of both the UK and the EU and will discuss uniting across the continent to secure a just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

Lammy, who was the first Foreign Secretary since Brexit to attend a formal meeting of EU foreign ministers in October, has been laying the foundations for stronger ties with Europe since taking office.

Following leader-level discussions in London between the Prime Minister and the President of the European Union Commission on 24 April, he will continue to make the case for a long-term UK-EU strategic partnership that will support economic growth, protect citizens, and support European collective security and defence.

The 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.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

We are working hand-in-hand with our European allies to build a safer, more secure, and more prosperous Europe. Together, we will stand firm against aggression, defend our shared values, and deliver lasting peace.

In the face of Russian aggression, NATO’s Eastern Flank has never been more important. We are resolute in defending Europe’s security.

As we mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day, this commitment reminds us that our collective defence of freedom and peace in Europe remains as vital today as it was 8 decades ago.

As part of his visit, the Foreign Secretary will travel to Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH). He will meet political leaders to emphasise UK support for domestic action to respond to the ongoing political crisis, including through the formation of a new state-level coalition focused on Euro-Atlantic integration.

He will also visit the EUFOR military base, which is playing a key role in maintaining security in BiH and therefore contributing to regional stability.

Ongoing instability in the region risks a return to violence and threatens collective security, including through irregular migration and serious and organised crime.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 6 May 2025.

Statement by DCMG Karen Pierce, UK Special Envoy to the Western Balkans, at the UN Security Council debate on Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Thank you very much Mr President. I welcome the High Representative and thank him for his briefing. I’d also like to welcome the Bosnia and Herzegovina representatives in the Chamber today.

It is an honour to be back, Mr President, in the Security Council and see some familiar colleagues.

I am here today in my new capacity as the United Kingdom’s Special Envoy for the Western Balkans.

I am also here to show our support for the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina, for her institutions and for the High Representative, and my Foreign Secretary is, today, visiting Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Mr President, as other people have said, it is an important year for anniversaries.

The 80th anniversary of the end of the Second World War and the founding of the United Nations.

The 50th anniversary of the Helsinki Final Act which then joins us to take heed about non-interference across borders.

And above all, for these purposes, the 30th anniversary not only of Srebrenica, but also of the Dayton Peace Agreement itself.

But in fact, Mr President, Bosnia has been on the agenda of this Council since the early 1990s and, at times, it has been the most serious issue that the Council has had to deal with.

Dayton, Mr President, is one of the successes of this Council.

And because of that, the Council enshrined the Dayton Peace Agreement in a Chapter 7 Security Council Resolution 1031. This represented hard work by UNSC members over many, many years.

It is unusual, as the High Representative and other speakers have said, it enshrined some very unusual civilian interventionist elements, but it stopped a war, and it is worth recalling, Mr President, that at the time, that war was the worst Europe had seen since the end of the Second World War.

It isn’t colonialism for the Council to take an interest, it isn’t colonialism for us to help Bosnia and Herzegovina along her path. As the High Representative said, the state of Bosnia and Herzegovina can evolve democratically.

This itself is written down in Dayton and with the successive conferences on peace that we’ve had held by the Peace Implementation Council, held by the Steering Board, the outcome of those conferences has been endorsed variously over the years by this Council.

It is all our fervent hope, Mr President, that one day Bosnia and Herzegovina will be able to graduate from the Council’s attentions and take its place as a normal and full member of Europe.

The Dayton Peace Agreement mandates one state, two entities and three constituent peoples.

The High Representative is also mandated by Dayton as the final authority on the civilian implementation of the Peace Agreement.

The powers that he is using have been backed by the Security Council. It is not a one-off; they have been successively backed by the Security Council.

And I want to stress that, Mr President. I also want to stress that the High Representative himself, under Dayton, is chosen by the Peace Implementation Council Steering Board.

He is not chosen by the Security Council, though the Security Council’s interest has been evoked from time to time, but not universally, and I want to set that straight.

It is open to people who have left the Steering Board and, hence not had an opportunity to share in the selection of the High Representative, to return to the Steering Board.

Mr President, the cause of Bosnia and Herzegovina remains critical to the issue of stability and security in Europe.

The United Kingdom has great pleasure in cooperating with the European Union, with the US and others. This autumn, we will chair the Berlin Process, which emphasises regional cooperation among the Western Balkans countries themselves.

And I want to take a moment to salute EUFOR, who is executing its Chapter 7 mandate to maintain a secure and safe environment.

I agree that it does not have executive authority but to pretend it does is a mischaracterisation of its role.

EUFOR is there to support the state institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina and maintain safety and security for Bosnia and Herzegovina’s citizens.

And it is clear, Mr President, and we’ve heard today, that those citizens want better relations with the European Union, they want Euro-Atlantic integration.

We heard, particularly from the representatives of Pakistan and Sierra Leone, of their very strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and I think all speakers in the Council want to uphold that.

But it bears repeating that there is one threat to that today, and it lies in the person of the RS Entity President, Milorad Dodik.

His secessionist moves, his introduction of unconstitutional laws, the threats to adopt a new anti-Dayton constitution represent direct threats to that sovereignty, territorial integrity and independence as well as to the aspirations of the Bosnian people.

What Bosnia and Herzegovina needs, Mr President, is more pluralist politics.

There is no threat to Republika Srpska entity, nor to the federation entity in EU integration, nor Euro-Atlantic future.

I repeat this again, it is not a threat to RS citizens, it is not a threat to the Federation. There are many models in Europe of national and sub-national government.

And I would point out that the High Rep would not need to use his powers if the RS President did not challenge Dayton on an almost daily basis.

The High Rep acts against all who challenge the state institutions of Bosnia and Herzegovina, it happens that at the moment, the biggest challenges are coming from Republika Srpska, but the High Representative’s role is to uphold the Dayton Peace Agreement and help the state institutions to prosper and to do their work.

Mr President, in closing, I want to refer again to what other speakers have said.

It is the responsibility of this Council, as it was in the 1990s, and it was when the Dayton Peace Agreement was concluded, to uphold the Dayton Peace Agreement, to support Bosnia and Herzegovina on its journey, its journey freely chosen by her citizens for European integration and to help her citizens thrive and prosper.