26th February 2026
Different Memories, Shared Futures: Why Inclusive Remembrance Matters for Serbia and the Region
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs
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17th December 2025
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1st March 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
St David’s Day
St David, or Dewi, is the patron saint of Wales. The arrival of his feast day – 1 March – always gives a sense, at least in the United Kingdom, that Spring is now definitely on the way. But it is also a useful reminder to non-Welsh of the importance of Wales to the United […]
1st March 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
"Those little things…."
Observant drivers and pedestrians on Comoros Street outside the British Embassy (possibly a contradiction in terms) today will notice the Welsh flag fluttering in the breeze from our flagpole – the famous red dragon on a green and white background. And anyone who comes into contact with me will see that I am wearing a […]
29th February 2012 Washington DC, USA
The Innovation Generation
After just six weeks in this fascinating job, I can hardly believe how much I am learning. South Carolina and Florida in my first 10 days to get a flavour of the Republican presidential candidates race, some time in Washington finding my feet and rediscovering old friends, then three days in New York followed by, […]
29th February 2012 Washington DC, USA
Wounded Warriors Show Their Sporting Spirit
General George S. Patton once told his troops, “Accept the challenges so that you can feel the exhilaration of victory.” At the Marine Corps Trials at Camp Pendleton last weekend, some extraordinary Royal Marines—who have already faced their full share of challenges—competed and felt the exhilaration of victory. The Trials are an eight-sport competition for all wounded, […]
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29th February 2012 Athens, Greece
GREAT events in Greece
One of the areas I’m working on in the Embassy is the GREAT campaign which is designed to promote the UK abroad. Under the new brand the Embassy is able to join forces with the British Council and other local partners and showcase what UK has to offer. The campaign message is simple and our […]
29th February 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
EU/Ukraine: more important technical stuff
I blogged recently about what needed to happen before the Association Agreement and linked Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) could begin to work for Ukraine. At the end of that blog, I noted some suggestions that, if it wasn’t possible to sign and ratify the Association Agreement, it might be possible for some […]
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28th February 2012 Budapest, Hungary
Getting the ball rolling
I’ve been preparing for this job for several months, so it feels great to be here in Budapest at last: and to have been able to present my letters of credence to President Schmitt on just my third day. It was a formal occasion but we managed to talk a little business too – and […]
28th February 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Piracy and Ukraine: why the London conference on Somalia matters
Guest blog by Olena Sadovnik, Media and Digital Comms Officer, British Embassy Kyiv Most of our knowledge about pirates comes from adventure books and movies featuring characters like Long John Silver in Treasure Island or Sinbad the Sailor in Persian folklore. As well as pirate legends, however, piracy itself, unfortunately, has survived over the centuries. […]
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28th February 2012 London, UK
Unleashing growth and jobs in Europe
I gave a speech yesterday in Brussels at a summit on unleashing growth and jobs which was organised by the Lisbon Council, a think tank. There is no doubt that Europe faces a major crisis. The current difficulties in the Eurozone are having a chilling effect on all our economies. However, I would argue that […]
28th February 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Riding with entrepreneurs – business the Indian way
At the Asia Task Force (ATF) seminars around the UK earlier in February, business speakers, my colleagues and I tried to give some steers to companies new to doing business in India. Inevitably, in a country of 1.2 billion people, and with a business audience covering everything from capital equipment to smoked salmon and spa […]
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