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5th May 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
How to sell land
Is it good or bad for Ukraine to allow the sale of agricultural land and, if so, under what conditions? There is muted excitement in Ukraine that the authorities may soon bring forward proposals to allow the sale of agricultural land, either later this year or in early 2012. Although most agricultural land in Ukraine […]
4th May 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
World Press Freedom Day
Today is the annual celebration of World Press Freedom Day. On this day participants commemorate the fundamental principles of media freedom; highlight long-standing and emerging threats to that freedom; and pay tribute to journalists and activists who have risked their safety to advance public access to news and information. The main theme this year is […]
4th May 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
World Press Freedom Day
On 3 May the United Nations, and journalists around the world, celebrate World Press Freedom Day. The day is celebrated every year to commemorate the fundamental principles of media freedom, to highlight long-standing and emerging threats to that freedom and to pay tribute to journalists and activists around the world who have risked their safety […]
3rd May 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Celebrating the Royal Wedding
Royal Weddings don’t come round very often. So when they do, it is worth trying to do something special. The wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton in London last Friday deserved a special party and we were keen to celebrate it with Jordanians. So we launched a competition for engaged couples to come and […]
3rd May 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Bad piano-playing in Kyiv
How can the Rada, the Ukrainian parliament, best ensure that it meets the democratic aspirations of the Ukrainian people? I’ve blogged before about the unfortunate propensity of members of the Rada to settle disputes by physical violence – inside the chamber – rather than by debate. When I noted recently with approval that there hadn’t […]
3rd May 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Cricket the IPL way – or how to begin to understand the middle classes in India
I met recently in Mumbai a former colleague, and competitor, visiting from the Enterprise Ireland trade promotion organisation in Dublin. We had worked in Sweden at the same time, seeking out opportunities for our countries in the large Swedish and Scandinavian markets. I was able to obtain an extra ticket for him to join my […]
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3rd May 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
New UK trade and investment minister’s first overseas visit – to India, and Mumbai
The importance the British Government attaches to enhancing relations with India was underlined in March when Lord Green visited the country, including Mumbai. Lord Green has just weeks ago taken on the position of Minister of Trade and Investment, and his first official overseas visit was to India. Lord Green is well known to many […]
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2nd May 2011 Ottawa, Canada
A taste of Buckingham Palace
What a Wedding! We did our best at Earnscliffe, a few hours after the event, to celebrate a joyous and successful occasion. We brought a taste of Buckingham Palace to Ottawa, re-creating in our kitchen many of the canapés at the reception. As part of Canada’s Royal Family, I trust the happy couple would approve […]
1st May 2011
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Watching with the World
Passers-by were rather surprised today to find a traditional British street party happening outside the British Embassy in Budapest – complete with bunting, balloons (red, white and blue, naturally) and British, Indian and other foods. It’s not something you often see in Hungary…. And it was of course to mark the marriage of Their Royal […]
30th April 2011 Chevening, UK
¡Muchas felicidades! from Peru via St Andrews
Graciela Arrieta, a 28 year old lawyer and Chevening scholar from Peru, has been living in Scotland since January 2011, where she is studying for a Masters in Mining Law and Policy at The Centre for Energy, Petroleum and Mineral Law and Policy at the University of Dundee; The Royal Wedding is without doubt the […]
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