Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

24th April 2014 Sofia, Bulgaria

Between Two Cultures

by David Mossop David Mossop first came to Bulgaria in the distant 1987 to work as a teacher at British Council Bulgaria. He had previously studied Russian and wanted to learn one more Slavic language. Little did he know then that his entire life was to become ineluctably connected with Bulgaria, its language and culture. […]

Read more on Between Two Cultures | Reply (2)

24th April 2014 Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei

Baroness Warsi visits Brunei

Baroness Warsi has just completed a two day visit. She is Senior Minister of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. Her visit to Brunei was part of a regional tour which also included Malaysia (Sabah and Kuala Lumpur) and Singapore. The Minister had a very full programme, including an Audience with His Majesty The […]

Read more on Baroness Warsi visits Brunei | Reply

23rd April 2014 New York, USA

Charles Arrowsmith

by Charles Arrowsmith

Deputy Chief of Staff, Office of the Consul-General

Shakespeare’s Big Four-Five-Oh

His is an amazing name when you think about it. Something tremulous, something virile. Vulnerability and power in tension — or is it harmony? Like his characters, so recognisably real in their complexity, even the playwright’s signature seems to encompass a vision of humanity in all its strengths and failings. “What’s in a name?” Juliet […]

Read more on Shakespeare’s Big Four-Five-Oh | Reply

23rd April 2014 Madrid, Spain

Avatar photo

by Daniel Pruce

British Ambassador to the Philippines and to Palau

Business and Human Rights is a top priority for the British Government

I’ve blogged before about Business and Human Rights. Sustainable trade is vital for our economy, it supports employment and promotes British and global growth. But at the same time, human rights values are intrinsic to our foreign policy. So we will not promote trade at the expense of human rights. Our work on business and […]

Read more on Business and Human Rights is a top priority for the British Government | Reply (3)

23rd April 2014

Avatar photo

by Bruce Bucknell

Former British Deputy High Commissioner Kolkata

Shakespeare in 600 words*

On occasion of the 450th birthday of William Shakespeare He was born 450 years ago, possibly on the same day – the 23rd of April – that he died 52 years later.  He was the son of a merchant from Stratford, in the Midlands of England.  He probably attended the local school where he studied […]

Read more on Shakespeare in 600 words* | Reply (1)

22nd April 2014

Avatar photo

by James Dauris

British Ambassador, Panama

Peru and the Falkland Islands: history of a Latin American common cause

Earlier this month the Peru-Argentina Friendship League organised a meeting in Congress under the title “Peru and the Falkland Islands: history of a Latin American common cause”*.  I wasn’t invited to attend but I have read a report of the event with interest. The topics of the Falkland Islands, of the invasion of the islands […]

Read more on Peru and the Falkland Islands: history of a Latin American common cause | Reply (4)

22nd April 2014

Avatar photo

by Martin Harris

British Ambassador to Ukraine

Farewell to Romania

Martin Harris has now finished his appointment in Romania. Please visit the blog of Raluca Bragarea, Head of Communications  to follow the Embassy business and welcome the new ambassador Paul Brummell in August.

Read more on Farewell to Romania | Reply

18th April 2014

Avatar photo

by Peter Beckingham

Former governor in Turks and Caicos Islands

Getting down to business in the Turks and Caicos Islands

I met earlier this month with the Business Advisory Group that I have invited to meet periodically. The Group represents a cross section of businesses including retail ( the Do It Store and IGA), construction (Coxco), tourism and new developments ( the Hotel and Tourism Association, Inter- Caribbean Airways, the Grand Turk Cruise Centre and […]

Read more on Getting down to business in the Turks and Caicos Islands | Reply (1)