Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office Blogs

A unique insight into UK foreign and development policy

17th October 2011

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by Leigh Turner

Ambassador to Austria and UK Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Vienna

Bessarabia, Ukraine and Europe

The towers of the fortress rise above the Black Sea. Within mighty walls, bastions soar. Our guide says it’s hard to be sure who built which bits: over the past two millennia, the site has been occupied by Greeks, Romans, Poles, Goths, Huns, Moldovans, Hungarians, Bulgarians, Tatars, Russians, Genoese and Turks. Down the road there […]

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17th October 2011

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by Nigel Baker

Ambassador to the Holy See (2011-2016)

Community Education

Amongst my various introductory calls since arriving in Rome this August, I have had the opportunity to visit the Venerable English College and the Pontifical Scots College. These are both ancient institutions – the Venerable English College celebrates the 650th anniversary of its foundation, by King Edward III, next year – which throughout their history […]

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17th October 2011

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by Greg Dorey

Diplomat

Hungarian Rugby

Welsh supporters all round the world, and many other sympathisers, are in sorrow today following the defeat of Wales 9-10 by France in the Rugby World Cup. But no one can deny the gallantry and professionalism of a superb team, which did well to reach the semi-finals and kept us on the edge of our […]

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17th October 2011

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by Martin Harris

British Ambassador to Ukraine

The renaissance of the nuclear sector

This morning I attended an international symposium here in Bucharest on nuclear energy which was looking at the challenges that energy faces for the future. These are various, they relate to security and safety issues, to financing, to technological issues and also to political issues in response to public concern about nuclear safety in the […]

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16th October 2011

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by Peter Millett

Ambassador to Libya, Tripoli

Food and the Fighting Man

Napoleon said that an Army marches on its stomach. So what’s the connection between food and war?   Most wars are about ideology, nationalism or territory. Very often the reason for conflict over territory is to do with growing food. There might be a fight to gain richer soil, easier access to water or better grazing […]

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16th October 2011

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by Greg Dorey

Diplomat

Food security: a second green revolution?

Today is Blog Action Day 2011 and the subject is food. Food has a huge impact on our very existence, from the state of our countryside to the length of our lives. And in recent years food security has become a major security risk for everyone, alongside terrorism and arms proliferation – a problem we […]

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15th October 2011

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by Martin Harris

British Ambassador to Ukraine

Un pact pentru creștere economică

Vince Cable, ministrul britanic pentru Afaceri şi Inovaţie a venit săptămâna trecută la Bucureşti cu un mesaj foarte clar – Uniunea Europeană trebuie să revină pe un parcurs de creştere economică sustenabilă pe termen lung. Şi asta înseamnă ca UE să facă ceea ce ştie mai bine – comerţ liber. Atât România cât şi Marea Britanie beneficiază […]

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13th October 2011

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by Greg Dorey

Diplomat

Comedy stand-up

There was encouraging news yesterday, with 200 political prisoners released in Burma. British Foreign Secretary William Hague said: “I welcome the news that a number of political prisoners have been released. … We look forward to the hopes for genuine change coming to fruition, and to seeing news of further releases and progress on other […]

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13th October 2011 Windhoek, Namibia

Marianne Young

by Marianne Young

High Commissioner, Windhoek

The joys of pap in Namibia

It is international Blog Action Day (BAD) 2011 this Sunday 16 October and the topic for this year is food. Last year the FCO took an active part in this event and is encouraging its bloggers around the world to contribute to the food theme from our unique international and local perspectives. Having only been […]

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13th October 2011 London, UK

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by David Lidington

Minister for Europe, London

First use of the European Union Act 2011

The Foreign Secretary has today made a statement to Parliament which explains the Government’s first use of the European Union Act 2011. This use of the Act is required by the proposed treaty change to enable Eurozone countries to set up the European Stability Mechanism, which aims to secure economic stability in the Eurozone countries […]

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