Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

12th May 2014 Tashkent, Uzbekistan

by George Edgar

Termez

I have visited Termez twice since the beginning of the year, once in February and then over a weekend in April. The first time was for business, meeting the regional Hokim, seeing the border crossing point where trains carrying ISAF equipment enter Uzbekistan, speaking to students at the University. The second time was private, so […]

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12th May 2014 Gaborone, BotswanaLondon, UK

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by Nick Pyle

British High Commissioner to Botswana

The role of a free and independent media in development

World Press Freedom Day took place on 3rd May. The theme for this year was Media Freedom for a better future: shaping the post-2015 development agenda. The focus this year, is on three inter-related themes: the media’s importance in development; the safety of journalists and the rule of law; and the sustainability and integrity of […]

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11th May 2014 Islamabad, Pakistan

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by Philip Barton

Permanent Under-Secretary of the FCDO. Philip was the British High Commissioner to Pakistan from 2014 to 2016

Pakistan – A Prime Minister in London

A year ago today, Pakistan went to the polls to elect a new Government.  Some 50 million Pakistanis turned out to vote.  They made a statement about the future they want for their country – a future based on democracy and accountability through the ballot box.  We went on to see the first ever full […]

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9th May 2014 Pretoria, South Africa

Jonathan Daniel

Jonathan Daniel

Jonathan Daniel is Vice Consul for Policy and Communications at the British Consulate General in Chicago.

South Africa’s politics and prosperity at a pivotal moment

As South Africans prepared to go to the polls Wednesday in the Republic’s fifth democratic national election since its first in 1994, I sat here in Chicago – 9,000 miles away and seven hours behind – keeping up with the news over a cup of tea and a heap of quickly-disappearing buttermilk rusks, South Africa’s crunchy pastry perfect […]

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9th May 2014

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by Paul Johnston

Ambassador to Ireland

Two Elections, One Day, One Europe

Britain and Sweden see eye to eye on the implications of the Ukraine crisis. Here’s a translation of the article I wrote for Swedish national newspaper Dagens Industri today. In less than three weeks’ time, the people of Ukraine go to the polls in Presidential elections that will determine the future direction of their country. According […]

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9th May 2014 Beirut, Lebanon

Tom Fletcher

by Tom Fletcher

Former British Ambassador to Lebanon

Engagement is Not Just About Cute Cats and Hashtags

I joined three events in the last week on power in the digital age. The first was with online activists and entrepreneurs, with @AUB_OC at the American University #SMCL2. I had first met them shortly after arriving in Beirut in 2011, and talked about riding the digital tiger, and tips for twiplomats. Two years on, […]

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9th May 2014 London, UK

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by Richard Moore

FCO Political Director

We cannot ignore and stand-by illegal annexation of Crimea

In less than three weeks’ time, the people of Ukraine go to the polls in Presidential elections that will determine the future direction of their country. According to reputable polling organisations, over 80 percent of Ukrainians said they will vote on 25 May. Preparations for elections are going ahead despite attempts to destabilise, disrupt and […]

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