Tag: Press Release

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 8 February 2024.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN Security Council meeting on Kosovo.

Thank you, President, and I thank Special Representative Ziadeh for her briefing today. I also welcome the participation of President Vucic and Prime Minister Kurti in our meeting.

President, next week marks the 16th anniversary of Kosovan independence. The UK welcomes the progress it has made as a sovereign state in that time.

Yet for many years the absence of a normal relationship between Kosovo and Serbia has had implications for regional stability and for communities in both countries.

Current tensions reinforce the importance for Kosovo and Serbia to engage with renewed commitments in EU-facilitated dialogue, and to make progress towards the normalisation of relations.

The UK will continue to work in support of this goal alongside our wider efforts to build regional stability.

Three immediate steps can help support this goal.

First, Kosovo and Serbia should honour their existing commitments and avoid unilateral actions or rhetoric that could reduce prospects for a comprehensive and sustainable normalisation agreement.

Second, Kosovo should exercise its sovereign powers in a way that is consistent with the vision of a multi-ethnic democracy embedded at the heart of Kosovo’s constitution.

Through its recent actions, Kosovo’s central bank has sought to fulfil its responsibility to regulate the operation of foreign currencies. But the Kosovo Government’s implementation of these measures so far has shown insufficient regard for the impact on Kosovo’s minority communities.

Kosovo’s authorities should set out a clear plan to ensure that all affected Kosovo Serbs can continue to receive their incomes, and that essential services can operate until a sustainable solution is found.

Finally, President, the UK calls on Serbia to ensure that those responsible for the attacks in Banjska in September are held to account.

Regional stability and the interests of all communities are best served by the creation of a conducive environment that will allow further progress under the EU-facilitated dialogue.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 February 2024.

Statement by Ambassador James Kariuki at the UN General Assembly 54th plenary meeting 78th session.

Thank you President, and thank you Secretary-General for your report. The United Kingdom is clear that multilateralism is the best tool we have to tackle the shared challenges of the 21st century. Let me highlight three areas.

First, we must strive for peace, upholding the principles and agreements to which we have collectively committed. Two years since its illegal invasion, Russia continues to launch indiscriminate attacks on Ukrainian civilians. In Gaza, we witness the harrowing impacts of the humanitarian crisis on Palestinian civilians.

2024 should be the year that Russia withdraws its troops from Ukraine and ceases its aggression. We must immediately address humanitarian need in Gaza and take action to secure a sustainable, permanent ceasefire and bring peace and security to both Israelis and Palestinians.

Second, the United Kingdom is committed to ending extreme poverty, tackling climate change and biodiversity loss and promoting gender equality. We will champion action to accelerate progress towards the SDGs, including through UN and international financial system reform. UK priorities will be mobilising more and better development and climate financing, and promoting greater access to education, economic opportunities and the protection of sexual and reproductive health rights for all women and girls.

And finally, we look forward to the Summit of the Future as an opportunity to rebuild trust and strengthen the multilateral system. The UK is concerned by the financial challenges facing the organisation and we are committed to stabilising UN finances to ensure that the organisation can serve those in need.

The UK looks forward to working with you and all Member States in the year ahead.

Thank you.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 February 2024.

Diplomatic missions call on Israel to halt demolitions and confiscations of Palestinian houses and property in the West Bank

Representatives of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the European Union  together with the Palestinian Ministry of Education call on Israel to rescind its recent decision of the Israeli Civil Administration to demolish a donor-funded school in Amera, Hebron.

Israeli authorities issued a final demolition order against the school on Education Day (24th January), leaving the school at imminent risk of demolition. Should the demolition go ahead, 39 Palestinian school children will be deprived of their basic right to education. The nearest alternative schools are approximately 5km away. Without adequate transport, students must make the long journey by foot, exposed to settler attacks, a heavily trafficked road and inclement weather. Under these conditions, girls and children with disabilities in particular are at a high risk of dropping out.

Palestinian schools in Area C – including those funded by donors – remain vulnerable to Israeli demolitions and settler violence. Since 2022, Israeli authorities have demolished three donor-funded schools. In addition, three donor-funded schools have been vandalised by Israeli settlers and are currently not operational.

Under international law, Israel, as occupying power, has an obligation to ensure that the occupied civilian population has adequate access to basic education.  Palestinian children’s right to an education is undermined by Israel’s planning and zoning system in Area C which prevents Palestinian development, and construction of schools in Area C.

Representatives of Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the European Union  call on Israel to halt demolitions and confiscations of Palestinian houses and property in accordance with its obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law, and to cease the policy of settlement construction and expansion, of designating land for exclusive Israeli use and of denying Palestinian development.  Failure to do so seriously undermines a two state solution and is a major impediment to peace and security.

The press release issued by the Foreign Office on 7 February 2024.

The agreement opens up opportunities for direct flights between the two countries.

On 23 January 2024, the Minister of Roads and Transport Development of Mongolia, Sandag Byambatsogt, and His Majesty’s Ambassador to Mongolia Fiona Blyth, signed an air services agreement between the government of Mongolia and the government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.  The agreement opens up opportunities for direct flights between the two countries.

An agreement on air services between the governments of Mongolia and the UK was established on March 1, 2000.  However, with the departure of the UK from the European Union, the agreement has been renewed with the UK. During the signature meeting, the two parties discussed ways to strengthen mutual co-operation in air, road and railway transportation.

The newly signed agreement on air transport includes new provisions:

• compliance with laws and regulations
• fair competition
• flight safety
• code sharing
• lease
• take-off and landing slots
• ground services
• environmental protection
• registration with the international civil aviation organization

The agreement also includes an aviation security article which makes provision for In-Flight Security Officers.

“MIAT” the Mongolian flag carrier has been appointed to operate passenger flights from Mongolia to London while “Eznis Airways” LLC has been appointed to operate cargo flights.