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Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
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Good English – A Key to Panama’s Future Success
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1st October 2012 Geneva, Switzerland
Little to cheer, something to fear?
Human Rights Council sessions rarely end up being either a resounding success or an unmitigated disaster. They rather tend to be a mixed bag with some good things, some bad and a few which leave you scratching your head, wondering what it meant and why it happened in the first place. The September session was […]
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1st October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
A drive into the future
Last month, I hosted a reception with Inchcape Motors. This is one of the oldest British companies in the automotive business, and here in Romania it is the distributor for Toyota and Lexus. The international automotive industry has great potential to deliver growth for Britain’s economy, and so the reception was to introduce Lexus’ new […]
30th September 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Diplomacy, Security and Investment
I was promised (or warned?) that a posting to Sudan would not be dull. And so it has proved so far. My first full month here has been a mix of traditional diplomacy, concern for the security of the embassy and my staff, and investment in the future of Sudan. Diplomacy The “high diplomacy” has […]
28th September 2012 Warsaw, Poland
Commercial Diplomacy in Action – a week packed full of engagement for UK Business in Poland
If you thought last week was busy – we’ve been even busier this week. A great message to tell. A trade and investment relationship that’s growing strongly. Huge opportunity across Poland and the broader Emerging Europe region-100 million consumers and a tapestry of EU countries modernising their infrastructure. Emerging market opportunity right on our doorstep. […]
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28th September 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Weekends in Mumbai
Weekends in Mumbai, once the monsoon has passed, can involve a variety of activities: walks along the 5km Marine Drive past the art deco buildings and the landmark Oberoi hotel, brunch in one of the expanding range of cafes and restaurants around the town, a round of golf on what must count as one of […]
28th September 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
A new portrait of Her Majesty
Australian painter Ralph Heimans has just produced a wonderful new portrait of Her Majesty, depicting the Queen standing in the spot in Westminster Abbey where she was crowned. I was delighted to attend the launch of this spectacular painting at the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, by Her Majesty’s representative in Australia, Governor General HE […]
27th September 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Preventing Sexual Violence: A Bold Initiative worth Supporting
On 25 September, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague co-hosted an event at the UN General Assembly alongside Zainab Bangura, the UN Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict. He spoke about his Preventing Sexual Violence Initiative (PSVI), launched in London last May. The PSVI aims to strengthen international efforts and co-ordination to prevent and […]
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27th September 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
UK, Turkey and Turkmenistan: Doing Big Business
One after another, top British companies take the podium in a room full of Turkish construction companies. Each sets out world-class expertise in everything from design, construction and communications to steel, advanced engineering, security, training and sports services. Other speakers include the British Ambassador to Turkmenistan, Keith Allan; Sefa Gomdeniz, Chair of the Turkey-Turkmenistan Business Council; […]
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27th September 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Parliamentary Rules
Members of Parliaments across Europe are finding themselves subject to more and more scrutiny these days from public institutions, the press and from their own electorates. Romania has the National Integrity Agency (ANI) which is setting new standards in public life. This month an MP’s mandate was revoked on the grounds of incompatibility, implementing ANI’s […]
27th September 2012 Yerevan, Armenia
Doing GREAT business in the UK and Armenia
Phew – here at the Embassy we are just recovering from our first Ministerial visit in six years. Mr Lidington, the Foreign Office’s Minister for Europe, was a great visitor – engaged, full of energy, and really keen to make a difference in UK-Armenian relations. And we are really delighted that we were able to use the […]
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