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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
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19th October 2012 Paris, France
Our commercial diplomacy activities in France
I’ve been thinking this week about commercial diplomacy, that is something that our Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary are very keen that the diplomatic network of Embassies around the world should be even more active and engaged in.
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19th October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Palm Trees in Kazakhstan
Astana, the capital city of Kazakhstan, is not noted for its mild climate. In fact it is amongst the world’s coldest capitals, with temperatures regularly below minus 30 in the winter. But at the centre of the city a huge atrium houses dozens of palm trees, surrounded by students and professors going about their business. […]
18th October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Referendum 2013: the islander’s message to the world
May I welcome our guest bloggers for this week: Bruce Callow, Communications Officer at the British Embassy in Costa Rica, who along with Eduardo Smith, Political Officer at the British Embassy in Guatemala, are in the Falkland Islands with a group Central American journalists (including Luis Velasquez of Guatemala’s Prensa Libre) where they have traveled […]
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18th October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
End Slavery Now
179 years ago today the British Parliament passed the Slavery Abolition Act, outlawing the slave trade after years of courageous campaigning by William Wilberforce and others who spoke out against the exploitation of men and women and opposed the vested economic interests in this vile business. Unfortunately this trade continues today, here in Europe. Last […]
18th October 2012 Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Medals from London
Last week I visited Uzbekistan’s National Olympic Committee, to meet the President of the Committee and the President of the National Paralympic Association. The Embassy worked with both organisations in preparation for this summer’s Olympic and Paralympic Games in London, including helping to organise a table-tennis tournament for the diplomatic community with Paralympians. President Boboev […]
17th October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Guatemala at the United Nations
October is an historic month for Guatemala. For the first time ever, it is presiding over the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Guatemala is currently a non-permanent member of the UNSC, and will be until the end of 2013. It’s one of 15 members, ten non-permanent and five permanent members, including the UK, who discuss […]
17th October 2012 Yerevan, Armenia
Trusting justice
I’ve been thinking this week about one of the hardest tasks for a young democracy: building a justice system people can trust. This is partly because I was back in the UK last week, meeting with British businesses who are interested in working in Armenia and the wider region. Near the top of the list […]
17th October 2012 Beirut, Lebanon
There’s Nothing Wrong with The Leftovers
I’ve become used to my team suggesting life or career threatening stunts to highlight our priorities. In recent weeks, they got me to teach an English lesson to promote Language Day, read The Gruffalo to bemused non-English speakers to promote the British Council’s Kids Read project, and dress up as Bond to promote British brands. […]
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16th October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Happy Birthday Single Market!
Yesterday, a friend here in Sweden ordered a pram on-line. The best price was from a French company. The site (albeit in French only) helpfully gave a price for delivery to Sweden. But it proved impossible to register as a customer outside France. She put “Sweden” in the comment box and pressed send. And the […]
16th October 2012 Budapest, Hungary
Wedding planners
The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, visited us on 4 October. He was here for a short time – just 5 working hours. But he was able in that time to open the Budapest Cyber Conference, have meetings with PM Orban and Foreign Minister Martonyi, and do a TV interview and a press conference. An impressive […]