Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

17th April 2013

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by Martin Harris

British Ambassador to Ukraine

Comemorarea lui Lady Margaret Thatcher în România

Săptămâna trecută am primit la ambasadă mulţi vizitatori și multe mesaje de condoleanțe la moartea doamnei Margaret Thatcher. Am fost impresionat la citirea sentimentelor exprimate de numărului mare de admiratori pe care i-a avut aici în România şi a  felului în care acțiunile și realizările sale au fost percepute în această parte a Europei. În […]

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17th April 2013

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by Martin Harris

British Ambassador to Ukraine

Margaret Thatcher, remembered in Romania

Last week we received many visitors to the Embassy and many messages of condolence on the death of Margaret Thatcher. I was touched to read the sentiments of the many admirers that she had in Romania, and her achievements as seen by people in this part of Europe. In the first place, she is seen […]

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17th April 2013 London, UK

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by Rob Fenn

Head of Human Rights and Democracy Department, FCO

Common Law

Do you know what QC stands for? And why Queen Elizabeth I coined the term? My sister-in-law, Poonam Melwani QC, came to Brunei last week on holiday. Like many successful women, she seems able to switch like lightning between a host of different roles. She appeared first as a rainforest explorer. At the Ulu Ulu […]

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16th April 2013 Chicago, USA

The Leading Lights of Midwest Cleantech

Life-changing technologies like the automobile, personal computer, and even electric lighting all once faced the same challenges of public perception now faced by clean technology.  Following their inception, these were written off as “novelties”, or “luxuries for the wealthy”, before they went on to take the world by storm. Cleantech is now at this tipping […]

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16th April 2013

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by Sarah Dickson

Ambassador to Guatemala (June 2012 - June 2015)

2012 Annual Human Rights Report launch

Yesterday the Foreign Secretary, William Hague, officially launched the 2012 Foreign & Commonwealth Report on Human Rights. You can read it here: http://www.hrdreport.fco.gov.uk/. The report once again highlights the British Government’s determination to strengthen the development of human rights around the world, working through the global network of British Embassies and Consulates. This includes our […]

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16th April 2013

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by Peter Millett

Ambassador to Libya, Tripoli

Student Visas

We’re approaching the start of the student visa season.  This is the time of year when students who plan to study abroad are waiting for offers of places from universities.  The students – and their parents – are also thinking of all the arrangements they need to make once they get the acceptance from the […]

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16th April 2013 Bucharest, Romania

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by Raluca Bragarea

Head of Communications, Bucharest

Shared experience on human rights between Romania and the UK

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office launched yesterday the 2012 Annual Human Rights and Democracy Report, which details our efforts to promote human rights during 2012. I’ve invited Iulian to tell us more about the rights of the disabled and the joint work that could be done between Romania and the UK on this issue: My name […]

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16th April 2013

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by Paul Johnston

Ambassador to Ireland

Voting for a Greener Future

Today, an important vote is taking place in the European Parliament. The British Government has asked all British MEPs to vote for a more competitive EU by supporting a higher price on carbon emissions. A well-functioning market, where it is more expensive to produce carbon emissions is crucial for green growth, and for the UK, […]

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16th April 2013 Warsaw, Poland

Martin Oxley, Head, UKTI Poland

by Martin Oxley

Director of UKTI Warsaw

Going for Growth 2020 – Trade and Investment the Way Forward

Last week I had the opportunity to be in the UK with HMA Robin Barnett. A busy visit and one which took me to London, then North through Shrewsbury to Liverpool. Whilst in London we had the opportunity to attend the Council of British Chambers of Commerce Annual Conference and Awards Gala which to celebrate […]

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15th April 2013 New York, USA

by Kristie D'Agnes

Business Development Associate, UK Trade & Investment

3,000 miles for the perfect tea set!

On a trip to the UK during the first ten days of February, I had the pleasure of visiting the annual Spring Fair in Birmingham, the UK’s largest gift trade show. There I attended a “Meet the Buyer” event hosted by UK Trade & Investment (UKTI) and the British Jewellery and Giftware Federation, which brought […]

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