22nd July 2013 London, UK
The Government today announced the publication of the first six reports of the Balance of Competences Review. They cover an overview of the single market, health, development co-operation and humanitarian aid, foreign policy, animal health and welfare and food safety, and taxation. They will be followed by another 26 reports between now and the end […]
26th June 2013
The European Union – as an institution, and as individual member states – is often criticised for not doing enough to protect and promote freedom of religion and belief around the world. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is very clear on the issue, we are often reminded. And yet, the critics say, amongst the […]
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3rd June 2013
Some once said that football was a game where England played Germany over 90 minutes and extra time and then the Germans won on penalties. Which is an inelegant way of saying that the UK and Germany are very much together on the reform team in the EU, with Sweden on side as well, of […]
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29th May 2013
Britain and Sweden don’t differ on much. We did this week on whether to lift the EU arms embargo on the legitimate opposition in Syria. We argued for the lift for political, security and humanitarian reasons. Our priority is a political transition that ends the conflict, allows refugees to return home, and prevents further radicalisation in […]
26th April 2013 London, UK
Dealing with the legacy of conflict is a leading theme in foreign policy. The guns may fall silent, but years can pass before progress is made on a lasting settlement. That’s why this historic agreement between Serbia and Kosovo is to be profoundly welcomed. This is not the end of the story, but it is […]
25th April 2013 Bucharest, Romania
This afternoon I will be conducting a focus group with a number of Chevening alumni from a variety of professional backgrounds (press, law, trade, political) to discuss how they perceive UK as a partner in the EU. I look forward to a two-hour long discussion, and hope at the end of it we come up […]
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16th April 2013
Today, an important vote is taking place in the European Parliament. The British Government has asked all British MEPs to vote for a more competitive EU by supporting a higher price on carbon emissions. A well-functioning market, where it is more expensive to produce carbon emissions is crucial for green growth, and for the UK, […]
22nd March 2013 Washington DC, USA
Last week, I argued that a successful Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership would put millions of consumers on both sides in touch with millions of businesses on both sides and be a real shot in the arm for business and jobs. In that blog, I argued that a successful TTIP would benefit the US in […]
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11th March 2013
One of my followers on Twitter (@HMAMartinHarris) urged me last week to: “please untangle the politicians heads. UK and Romania should be partners.” I want to offer reassurance on two counts. Firstly – the UK and Romania are partners, on a very broad range of issues. Second – the politicians are putting their heads together […]
27th February 2013 Washington DC, USA
The following is a guest blog by Roben McCabe, Executive Assistant, Global Issues Group at the British Embassy in Washington. As someone with a background in International Conflict Resolution, I was a bit unsure if my attendance at Last week’s American Association for the Advancement of Science’s (AAAS) Annual Meeting would be too high level […]