Tag: Foreign Office

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 March 2025.

On Tuesday 11 March, UK Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, chaired a roundtable with Nordic and Baltic counterparts to discuss support for Ukraine, security in Northern Europe, and tackling hybrid threats.

On Tuesday 11 March, Ministers, State Secretaries and senior representatives from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Sweden and the United Kingdom met in the margins of the Aurora Forum at Goodwood House, Chichester.

UK Minister for Europe, North America and Overseas Territories, Stephen Doughty, chaired a roundtable with Nordic Baltic counterparts to discuss support for Ukraine, security in Northern Europe, and tackling hybrid threats.

Ministers agreed on the need to continue supporting Ukraine to achieve a just, comprehensive and lasting peace with credible security guarantees, and the importance of putting Ukraine in the strongest possible position. They agreed that this would be achieved by increasing military support to Ukraine and, as part of this effort, they will leverage their defence industries while also purchasing directly from Ukraine’s defence industry to meet urgent needs and strengthen cooperation between European and Ukrainian industries. They also discussed the need to encourage other countries to do more. Ministers underscored that maintaining Western unity is essential and that there can be no negotiations about Ukraine without Ukraine.

Ministers discussed the significant and direct threat from Russia against NATO, with emphasis on continuing efforts to contest and constrain Russian aggression and the Russian war economy, including ambitious sanctions and wider efforts to constrain Russia’s energy revenues. They praised the work of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) and NATO in monitoring suspected shadow vessels through, among others, Operation Nordic Warden. Ministers underlined the need to hold Russia accountable and advance our global outreach to continue its international isolation.

Ministers discussed recent instances of subsea infrastructure damage in the Baltic Sea Region and welcomed NATO’s Baltic Sentry activity, providing reassurance to Baltic states. They also discussed hybrid incidents in the region, and welcomed work, including by NATO, to build resilience to deter and counter hybrid threats, including on cyber, and in addressing foreign information manipulation. Ministers also discussed external threats to the wider European region.

The Aurora Forum is an independent annual forum established to bring together governments, businesses and civil society from the UK and Nordic-Baltic states. Today’s roundtable marks the first time Ministers, State Secretaries and senior representatives have gathered in this format to discuss shared priorities, including Northern European security, trade, technology and the energy transition.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 March 2025.

UK Foreign Office Minister for Indo-Pacific Catherine West is in Malaysia for a 2-day visit.

The UK and Malaysia will step up co-operation to drive economic growth through trade and investment in key sectors.

Kicking off her visit today (10 March), the UK Minister for the Indo-Pacific Catherine West MP will witness the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding for a semiconductor partnership between a British and Malaysian company, advancing an already strong relationship between the UK and Malaysia in the technology sector.

Her visit comes 3 months after the UK joined Malaysia in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), making it the first UK-Malaysia free trade agreement. By cutting tariffs and reducing other market access barriers, this will boost an already strong trading relationship worth over £5.7 billion annually and reinforce 2-way flows of investment.

During her 2-day visit to Malaysia, the Minister will hold bilateral talks with Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Mohamad bin Haji Alamin. Alongside a strong message on mutual economic growth and the green transition, the Minister will reiterate the UK’s support for Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN and our commitment together on shared challenges from global health to international peace and security.

Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West said:

Three months since the UK joined Malaysia in the CPTPP, eliminating tariffs and facilitating business partnerships, this is a moment of opportunity to deepen our economic links and advance our shared interest in sustainable and inclusive growth.

Technology is one of the sectors we can and must develop together. I’m here in Malaysia to support that.

To achieve economic growth we must have strong and stable foundations. That is why we will continue to work with Malaysia on our shared priorities around regional security issues, global health and the climate crisis.

The UK will remain an active, committed Dialogue Partner to ASEAN – supporting ASEAN centrality and Malaysia’s chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025.

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

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

Let me begin by commending UNAMA for their invaluable work supporting the people of Afghanistan.

This is remains vital whilst Afghans – especially women and girls – continue to suffer under a series of oppressive restrictions.

At the time, members of the Taliban claimed that the March 2022 ban on secondary education for girls was temporary.

Almost three years on, girls in Afghanistan continue to be denied their right to education.

On the opening day of the Commission on the Status of Women, the United Kingdom joins others in unequivocally condemning this ban and all others which restrict Afghan women and girls’ rights and fundamental freedoms.

We strongly urge their immediate reversal, and we support greater accountability efforts, including the referral of Afghanistan to the International Court of Justice for violations of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).

President, the Taliban face a choice – if they want to be integrated into the international community then they must adhere to their international obligations including on human rights, political inclusion, and counter terrorism.

This is clearly laid out in the Special Coordinator’s Independent Assessment and Security Council resolution 2721 (2023).

The UK, with other members of the international community, has engaged constructively with the UN-led process, including through the Doha meetings and working groups on counternarcotics and the private sector.

But continued engagement is not guaranteed without reciprocity and commitment from the Taliban in return.

We welcome the continued efforts of UNAMA and the UN’s good offices towards this end and encourage further dialogue between all relevant Afghan political actors and stakeholders, in line with relevant Security Council resolutions and in support of the people of Afghanistan, especially its women and girls.

Thank you.

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

The FCDO has released a statement following ballistic missile launches by the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) on 10 March.

An FCDO spokesperson said:

DPRK’s ballistic missile launches on 10 March 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 10 March 2025.

UK Statement for the Annual Interactive Debate on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Delivered at the 58th HRC in Geneva.

Thank you Mr Vice President.

The United Kingdom thanks the panellists for their contributions to this important discussion.

We recognise the transformative impact that digital and assistive technology can have for people with disabilities.

Two and a half billion people globally need to use at least one type of assistive technology, but in low-income countries only 10% of people have access to what they need.

We note the report’s recommendations on building strong partnerships. The UK’s AT2030 programme will soon launch the Assistive Technology Growth Fund, an ambitious pathway for high-potential assistive technology, bringing together traditional donors and private capital.

We would also like to thank the Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities for their report on the Beijing Declaration and women and girls with disabilities. When women, girls, and other marginalised groups are empowered, they lift up whole families, communities and economies.

Through our partnerships with grassroots women’s rights organisations, Organisations of Persons with Disabilities and our engagement in multilateral fora, the United Kingdom will continue to empower and champion the rights of all women and girls, amplifying the voices and agency of women and girls with disabilities.

Thank you.

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

Harriet Harman to champion gender equality worldwide as new UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls.

• Harriet Harman announced as new UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls
• appointment underlines the UK’s ongoing commitment to empowering women and girls around the world
• new role will help champion gender equality worldwide and help deliver global economic growth as part of UK government’s Plan for Change

The Foreign Secretary has today appointed Harriet Harman as the new UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls. She will begin her appointment on International Women’s Day (Saturday 8 March 2025).

For International Women’s Day 2025, this government is accelerating action to change women’s lives. This plan is built on the foundations of our Plan for Change for this country to have a strong economy.

Creating opportunities for working women runs through the milestones of this government: from breaking down the barriers to opportunity which have held women back, making our streets safer, to rebuilding our public services and delivering growth that can be felt across every part of the country.

The government is supporting stability overseas to help deliver these milestones. In her role as envoy, Harriet Harman will coordinate efforts across the globe to ensure women and girls are empowered and have their rights protected, including sexual and reproductive health and rights, access to education, and freedom from gender-based violence.

Throughout her career, Harriet Harman has been a vocal advocate for women and girls, including on issues such as women’s political representation, maternity rights, and tackling violence against women and girls.

In her previous role as Solicitor General, Harriet led a successful drive within government to make tackling domestic violence a priority. The campaign led to the introduction of a new law – the Domestic Violence Crime and Victims Act – to ensure more effective prosecutions for domestic violence and a new network of 60 specialist domestic violence courts.

Harriet’s appointment underlines the UK’s ongoing commitment to empowering women and girls in the UK and around the world.

Foreign Secretary David Lammy said:

I am delighted to appoint Harriet Harman as the new UK Special Envoy for Women and Girls.

Accelerating action on equality for women and girls is vital to delivering the global economic growth we need and, a safer, more secure world.

Harriet has spent her career championing women’s rights and gender equality. Her record of achievement and personal commitment make her a formidable advocate for the rights and empowerment of women and girls around the world.

Minister for International Development Baroness Chapman said:

Harriet Harman is a legend on women’s rights and is rightly regarded as a pioneer and an inspiration to women in the UK and across the world, including me. I am thrilled she has been appointed Special Envoy, and I look forward to working with her on protecting hard-won rights and creating more opportunities for women.

Special Envoy for Women and Girls Harriet Harman said:

Over the last decades we have made tremendous strides towards ending women’s inequality. But the job is far from done. Women and girls are still not equal, and many still face oppression, violence and discrimination.

It’s a great honour to have been appointed UK Special Envoy For Women and Girls and look forward to driving this important work.

The UK will, in coalition with women around the world, play a key role in standing up for the rights of all women and girls at a critical time.

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

Foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the UK gave a joint statement welcoming the Arab initiative of a Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza.

Joint statement:

We, the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom welcome the Arab initiative of a Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza. The plan shows a realistic path to the reconstruction of Gaza and promises – if implemented – swift and sustainable improvement of the catastrophic living conditions for the Palestinians living in Gaza. Recovery and reconstruction efforts must be based upon a solid political and security framework acceptable to both Israelis and Palestinians, which provides long term peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians alike. We are clear that Hamas must neither govern Gaza nor be a threat to Israel any more. We explicitly support the central role for the Palestinian Authority and the implementation of its reform agenda.

We commend the serious efforts of all involved stakeholders and appreciate the important signal the Arab states have sent by jointly developing this recovery and reconstruction plan. We are committed to working with the Arab initiative, the Palestinians and Israel to address those issues together, including security and governance. We urge all parties to build on the plan’s merits as a starting point.

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

Statement by Fergus Eckersley, UK Minister Counsellor, at the UN Security Council meeting on Syria.

The last time this Council met to discuss chemical weapons in Syria, Bashar al-Assad was still in power.

Two days later, he fled and his brutal regime was overthrown.

The fall of Assad marks a new chapter for Syria and presents a golden opportunity to destroy his remaining chemical weapons programme, verified by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.

However, the situation in Syria is fragile and we must make sure we seize this window of opportunity to remove the threat posed by these weapons once and for all.

The UK is concerned about recent clashes in Syria, which must not be allowed to escalate into wider violence. We urge all parties to refrain from further violence and exercise restraint at this critical time.

The OPCW Director-General’s visit to Damascus on 8 February was an important step forward.

And we are greatly encouraged by the commitments already made by the Syrian interim authorities to fully cooperate with the OPCW and to secure chemical weapons sites.

The attendance of Syria’s interim Foreign Minister, at the OPCW’s Executive Council this week was a very significant moment.

We welcome his renewed commitments on chemical weapons, including to “put an end to this painful legacy and ensure Syria becomes a nation aligned with international norms.”

The next step is to support Syria to meet its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, including to declare and destroy remaining chemical weapons stockpiles working with the OPCW.

The OPCW Director-General set out the scale of the challenge ahead to the OPCW’s Executive Council this week.

And this Council has an important role to play in supporting the OPCW’s work.

First, we underscore the importance of implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention alongside the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 2118.

Second, the international community must provide the financial and technical assistance to the OPCW that it needs.

The UK has committed more than $1m to the OPCW Syria Missions since the fall of Assad to support their immediate work.

Finally, as Syria’s interim authorities seek to bring stability to the country and address security threats, it is vital that Syria’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are respected.

This is why we urge Israel to de-escalate their actions in Syria.

Such military action risks destabilising an already fragile security situation.

We call on all parties to provide the safe conditions for the OPCW to conduct its work.

Madam President, with political will from the new authorities in Syria and this Council, there is an opportunity to deal with this issue once and for all, and to finally achieve the total elimination of chemical weapons in Syria.

We must take that opportunity.

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

The UK underlines concerns at the adoption of laws by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska in violation of the Dayton Agreements, and reaffirms unequivocal commitment to the territorial integrity of BiH.

Thank you, Madam Chair.

The United Kingdom remains concerned at the rise of dangerous ethno-nationalist politics which seek to undermine Bosnia and Herzegovina’s statehood.

The people of BiH need their political leaders to focus on passing reforms, rather than exacerbating tensions and engaging in dangerous, secessionist moves.

We note and share the deep concerns of ODIHR and RFoM at the adoption by the National Assembly of Republika Srpska of laws in violation of the Dayton Agreements. These unconstitutional actions disrupt institutions such as the BiH Court from exercising their legal authority.

The UK continues to urge all actors to fully adhere to Dayton, and respect the state institutions of BiH.  We reaffirm our unequivocal commitment to the territorial integrity of BiH and support for a single, sovereign state comprising two entities, in which all its peoples and citizens are equal.

Republika Srpska President Dodik’s actions this week do not serve the people of BiH. They are an attempt by Dodik to undermine and distract from the decision of an independent court.

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

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN General Assembly meeting on the use of the veto.

Last week, this Assembly marked three years since Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, in flagrant violation of the UN Charter.

This Assembly voted decisively in support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and of the UN Charter, based on the facts – this was an invasion of a sovereign country by its neighbour.

It was a war of choice.

As my Prime Minister has made clear, the UK continues to support peace in Ukraine.

Our approach is based on four principles.

First, to support Ukraine’s legitimate right to self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter.

Second, any lasting peace must guarantee the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and Ukraine must be at the negotiating table.

Third, and fourth, when a peace deal is reached, as a European neighbour, we will continue to support Ukraine’s defence and deterrence capability.

And, we are ready to develop a coalition of the willing to defend a peace deal in Ukraine.

For peace to be sustainable, it must be strong and just and deter further Russian aggression against its neighbours.

This is why the UK, along with other Security Council Members, proposed amendments that would bring the Security Council resolution in line with the resolutions of the General Assembly, which had been adopted just hours beforehand.

These amendments sought to acknowledge Russia as the perpetrator of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine;

To reaffirm our commitment to the territorial integrity of Ukraine;

And to ensure that peace in Ukraine would be in line with the UN Charter.

In order to stop us, Russia exercised its veto.

In doing so, it flouted the voice of the General Assembly.

It vetoed respect for the UN Charter and for the sovereignty of a neighbour.

And all the while, Russia has continued its campaign of aggression against Ukraine, including with this week’s drone attacks on civilian buildings in Kharkiv.

We should judge Putin by his actions. And these are not the actions of a peacemaker.

As we sit here today, discussing Russia’s use of the veto on amendments regarding its own violations of the UN Charter, let us remember one thing:

If Putin wanted peace, he could have it tomorrow.

All Russia need do is cease its aggression and withdraw its forces from all of Ukraine.