Tag: Press Release

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 April 2024.

The UK’s commitment to international collaboration in the Arctic will be the focus for Americas Minister David Rutley on his first visit to Alaska.

The UK’s commitment to international collaboration in the Arctic to tackle pressing regional challenges such as climate change will be the focus for the UK’s Americas Minister as he begins a two-day visit to Alaska today (Thursday 11 April).

In his first trip to the northern-most US state, David Rutley, who is also the UK’s Minister for the Polar Regions, will attend the Arctic Encounter Symposium in Anchorage where he will explain how the UK is playing a leadership role in working with Arctic States to support and strengthen Arctic security and prosperity and build on the UK’s strong relationships with regional partners.

David Rutley, Minister for the Americas, Caribbean and Overseas Territories and Minister for the Polar Regions, said:

The Arctic matters to the UK and we are ensuring that the UK matters to the Arctic. As close neighbours we share priorities over climate, security and prosperity and we are committed to playing a key role in the region.

On my visits to states across the US, I have seen the strength of the bond that exists between America and the UK, and on my first trip to Alaska I am looking forward to discussing how we can work together to combat climate change and enhance our trade, technological and cultural partnerships.

The UK set out its close relationship with the region in its refreshed Arctic Policy Framework in February 2023.  This sets out the close links between the UK and the Arctic, and how the UK can play an appropriate leadership role that responds to significant changes in the region and builds on the strong links we already enjoy, including with the US.

During his visit, Minister Rutley will reaffirm the UK’s commitment to combat the geopolitical and environmental challenges affecting the Arctic, including through increased Russian militarisation in the region and the threat posed by climate change.

Melting sea ice will also make it possible for a wider range of actors to access the region, which has the potential to increase tensions. The Minister will reaffirm the UK’s vision for the Arctic as a place of high co-operation and low tension, and welcome the progress made to resume technical engagement in the Arctic Council.

The Arctic is warming four times faster than the rest of the planet, and the number of wildfires in the region has more than tripled since 2018. These changes are felt most deeply by people in the region, but they also affect the UK’s weather, natural environment and resilience.

During his visit, the Minister will get a chance to see first-hand the impact that the planet’s warming climate is having in the Arctic when he treks on the Matanuska Glacier, and will also highlight how the UK is working with regional partners to tackle climate change.

While in Anchorage, Minister Rutley will also meet Lieutenant Governor Nancy Dahlstrom and Senator Lisa Murkowski, where he will explore opportunities to deepen economic and cultural ties between the UK and Alaska.

His trip to Alaska continues a programme of visits to states across America where Minister Rutley has championed the UK as a great investment and business partner and highlighted the unrivalled security and defence ties between the two allies.

With the US and UK already having more than $1 trillion invested in each other’s economies, it is a relationship that presents huge opportunities for people and businesses on both sides of the Atlantic – supporting Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s priority to grow the UK’s economy and create better paying jobs.

The UK supports more jobs in America than any other country, with more than 1.2 million people working for British companies, while almost 1.5 million people do the same for American companies in the UK.

The UK and Alaska share a goods trading relationship that is worth $50 million a year, and world-renowned British businesses such as AstraZeneca and Barclays support jobs for almost 2,000 Alaskans.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 April 2024.

Acting Ambassador Deirdre Brown condemns Russia’s aerial attacks across Ukraine which have impacted all major cities and resulted in the deaths of civilians.

Thank you, Madam Chair. During the last Permanent Council, the United Kingdom condemned Russia’s aerial attacks across Ukraine, and since then these attacks have continued to intensify, including last night.

Energy infrastructure has been targeted and extensively damaged, leaving millions of civilians without power and water. The widespread impact of these attacks could last for months. The UK calls on Russia to cease its bombardment of Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

As a direct result of these aerial strikes, dozens of civilians have been injured or killed, including children. There has been further damage to civilian infrastructure including residential buildings. Multiple attacks have impacted health and education facilities.

All major cities across Ukraine have been impacted by the recent attacks. Kharkiv has been badly damaged, where over the weekend at least nine high rise buildings were damaged, 10 civilians were killed and a further eight injured.

Two years since the appalling discoveries made in Bucha, it is clear that Russia continues to use terrible tactics. Many of us previously condemned the double-tap strike at Odesa on 15 March which killed at least 20 civilians and injured more than 70. The first Russian missile hit residential buildings, and when emergency teams rushed to the scene, another missile struck the same location causing further causalities. Russia repeated the same tactic on 3 April in Kharkiv when Russian drones hit high-rise apartment blocks and private homes. Rescue workers were among the seven killed as the site of the attack was brutally targeted in a repeat assault.

Russia also continues to endanger lives across the region through its illegal seizure of Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Everything possible must be done to reduce the risk of a nuclear incident. Ultimately, Russia must return full control of the Plant to the rightful sovereign owner to ensure safe and secure operation.

The UK remains fully committed to supporting Ukraine so it can defend itself against Russia’s aerial attacks, with £2.5bn earmarked for further military support throughout 2024. This includes a recently announced £325m of bilateral support to provide more than 10,000 advanced drones, and £245m to continue to provide much-needed artillery ammunition.

As part of the United Kingdom’s contribution to the international Air Capability Coalition for Ukraine, which will see allies and partners working together to bolster Ukraine’s air capabilities, 10 pilots received basic flying, ground school and language training in the UK. They will one day form the first line of defence in protecting Ukraine’s skies from President Putin’s forces. We are proud that the trainees join more than 60,000 Ukrainians who have received training in the UK since President Putin first ordered the invasion of Crimea in 2014.

Every day since Russia invaded Ukraine, we have seen the tragic consequences of Russian aggression, but every day we have also been reminded of the courage and resilience of the Ukrainian people.

The only path to peace is if Russia ceases its illegal war, withdraws all its forces and military equipment from Ukraine, and respects the will of the Ukrainian people for a wholly independent and democratic Ukraine. Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 April 2024.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron marks 2 years since the arrest of Vladimir Kara-Murza for opposing Russia’s illegal war in Ukraine.

Foreign Secretary David Cameron said:

Two years on from Vladimir Kara-Murza’s arrest on fabricated charges, I urge the Russian authorities to release him immediately on humanitarian grounds.

A committed human rights activist striving for a democratic Russia, and an outspoken critic of the war in Ukraine, Mr Kara-Murza was considered a threat by the Kremlin. Putin locked him up in a bid to silence him.

We must call out Russia’s callous disregard for his declining health. The victim of two separate poisoning attempts prior to his imprisonment, Mr Kara-Murza is now being subjected to degrading and inhumane conditions in prison, clearly designed to further damage his physical and mental well-being. He has been refused the urgent medical treatment he so desperately needs.

Through diplomatic interventions at the highest levels, financial sanctions targeted at those behind his poisoning and imprisonment, and by raising his case on the international stage, we are sending a clear message that the UK will not stand for this abhorrent treatment of one of our citizens.

Russia’s depraved treatment of political prisoners must end.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 April 2024.

Ms Lindy Cameron CB OBE has been appointed British High Commissioner to the Republic of India in succession to Mr Alex Ellis CMG who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment.  Ms Cameron will take up her appointment during April 2024.

Curriculum vitae

Name: Lindy Cameron

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 11 April 2024.

The UK has suspended the Global Tariff for cut flowers to increase trade and provide better value for consumers.

Thursday 11 April – From today, the UK has temporarily removed export tariffs for cut flowers, with the aim of making trade with the UK easier and cheaper for growers in East Africa and beyond.

Unlimited quantities of flowers can now be exported to the UK at 0% tariff, even if they transit via a third country. This is particularly important for East African flower growers who transport their blooms via third-countries or auction houses before they arrive in the UK.

The move aims to increase trade and further strengthen the economic relationship between the UK and the region. UK consumers could win big too – on price, seasonality and variety.

The suspension of 8% duty for cut flowers applies across the world but will be a big win for major flower growing regions in Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. The duty suspension will remain in place for two years from 11 April 2024 to 30 June 2026.

His Majesty’s Trade Commissioner for Africa, John Humphrey said:

The UK’s relationship with East Africa is rooted in mutually beneficial trade. This additional flower power will allow trade to bloom. We go far when we go together… or in this case, we grow far when we grow together, further reinforcing the UK’s commitment to the expansion of trade in East Africa.

In 2022, Kenya was ranked as the fourth biggest exporter of cut-flowers in the world, with 6% of global cut-flower exports. Ethiopia is the second largest cut flower producer in Africa, making up 23% of Sub-Saharan African exports. In 2023, the value of trade in cut flowers between the UK from Ethiopia was valued at £12.6m, Rwanda at £727,000, £839,000 from Tanzania, and £1.1m from Uganda.

Notes to editors

The UK Global Tariff (UKGT) on cut flowers will be suspended for two years from 11 April 2024 to 30 June 2026. It allows for unlimited quantities of flowers to enter the UK, particularly if they transit through a third country or the flower auctions in the Netherlands – where previously an 8% UKGT would apply.