25th October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Across Europe, from Romania to the UK – more specifically from Sighisoara to Shropshire – there is a fraternity between the fire services of our different countries. On Saturday I was privileged to attend a ceremony to hand over three fire engines donated by the people of Shropshire for use in Mures and Brasov counties […]
Read more on The Fraternity of Firefighters | Reply
24th October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
The Foreign Secretary gave a speech yesterday setting out his vision for the future of Europe. Let me just highlight three points which I think are particularly relevant here in Romania. Firstly, William Hague highlights the power of EU enlargement in entrenching democracy and the rule of law in Europe after the Cold War. And […]
Read more on The Future of Europe – for Romania | Reply (3)
3rd October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Britain’s future relationship with the EU is a subject of constant debate. This week our Minister for Europe, David Lidington, has been in Stockholm, addressing the challenges the EU faces. He had good meetings with Carl Bildt and Birgitta Ohlsson. In a talk at the Swedish Institute of International Affairs he stressed that for all […]
Read more on Challenges facing Europe: A British view | Reply
10th August 2012
Warsaw, Poland
London 2012 will stand out as a shining example of British Excellence for a long time to come. It’s a Great show – our best medal performance since 1908; our Gold medal rankings; Great British cycling; superb dressage – the Great athletics show which has glued me to the TV each night for the last […]
Read more on What a GREAT Show – There’s much more to come! | Reply (1)
27th July 2012
Warsaw, Poland
Anyone who has experienced one knows that British Summers are GREAT. Not necessarily the weather but the programme – Ascot, Wimbledon, the British Grand Prix, Henley….and this year the Greatest, Biggest, Best, global sporting icon which starts today the Olympic Games – London 2012. We know the opening ceremony this evening is going to be […]
Read more on Crisis and a GREAT British Summer | Reply
5th July 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
The following is a guest post by Thomas Whitehead, Trade Policy Advisor at the British Embassy in Washington covering information communications technology and intellectual property policy. As innovation, talent, creativity, and knowledge become ever bigger drivers of the US and the UK economies, intellectual property (IP) is increasingly important as a means for delivering prosperity and growth. […]
Read more on Patently Superb – Major EU Intellectual Property Development Contributes to UK Growth | Reply (1)
20th June 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
Some commentators have argued that the UK can’t keep blaming Europe for our economic challenges. These trouble me and I want to correct some of claims that I’ve read. First, the claim that our trade with Europe isn’t significant, and thus doesn’t have an impact on our economic growth. Europe is Britain’s largest trading partner, […]
Read more on Britain’s Prosperity – our focus is both at home and on Europe. It’s not either or. | Reply
11th May 2012
Washington DC, USA
Something I always dread happened the other day. A lunch guest bounced up to me enthusiastically and asked me how I felt about the President’s announcement. I was uncharacteristically but completely nonplussed. I’d been in back to back meetings all morning in Sacramento (hearing a rather different view from that of the Bay on economics and innovation […]
Read more on An Evolving Debate in Europe and America | Reply (2)
10th May 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
It’s Europe week in DC. The real fun and games are this Saturday when each of the EU Embassies open their doors to our neighbours, curious to find a shortcut to see the inside of those fine properties on Embassy row (hint: go to the British Embassy at 3100 Massachusetts Avenue and see close up the Sir […]
Read more on EU Week – Opening doors to a transatlantic trade deal? | Reply
10th May 2012
Warsaw, Poland
Following up on last year’s House of Commons report on Shale Gas we have been in action this week at a major seminar focused on shale gas in Poland. The UK has strong experience in onshore and offshore oil and gas exploration. Poland is the latest in a number of countries in Central Europe to […]
Read more on Shale gas – definitely worth a closer look | Reply