Tag: Politics

5th October 2011

Avatar photo

by Martin Harris

British Ambassador to Ukraine

New Oil from old Fields

Last week I was in Ţicleni in Gorj county to look at a major new British investment in Romania’s oil industry. Petrofac is one of the UK’s main suppliers of services in the oil industry, based in Aberdeen in Scotland. As of November 2010 it has taken a responsibility from Petrom for operating and developing […]

Read more on New Oil from old Fields | Reply

4th October 2011

Avatar photo

by Martin Harris

British Ambassador to Ukraine

A Pact for Growth

Dr. Vince Cable, the UK’s Minister for Business, Skills and Innovation, came to Bucharest last week with a very clear message – the EU has got to get back on the path to sustainable long term growth. And that means doing what the EU does best – free trade. Romania and the UK are both […]

Read more on A Pact for Growth | Reply

4th October 2011

Avatar photo

by Peter Millett

Ambassador to Libya, Tripoli

Between a Wall and a Hard Place

We stopped on a ridge overlooking a Palestinian valley. On the hill on the left a Jewish settlement with nest white houses and green gardens. On the right a fairly run-down Palestinian village. The valley was dry and stony sloping down to a water spring. Suddenly we saw a trail of smoke arching up into […]

Read more on Between a Wall and a Hard Place | Reply

3rd October 2011 New York, USA

Avatar photo

by Danny Lopez

British Consul-General, New York

The “Monster Month”

With one month to go until the New York City Marathon, I am about to enter what is often called the “Monster Month” – the month that involves the most intense, grueling and critical final weeks of training. It is said that a runner’s efforts during their “Monster Month” can make or break their success […]

Read more on The “Monster Month” | Reply

3rd October 2011 New York, USA

Avatar photo

by Danny Lopez

British Consul-General, New York

The "Monster Month"

With one month to go until the New York City Marathon, I am about to enter what is often called the “Monster Month” – the month that involves the most intense, grueling and critical final weeks of training. It is said that a runner’s efforts during their “Monster Month” can make or break their success […]

Read more on The "Monster Month" | Reply

3rd October 2011 Geneva, Switzerland

Avatar photo

by Bob Last

Head, UK Mission Political and Human Rights Team

Cheap Seats, Backsliding and Cuban Democracy

As the September session of the Human Rights Council drew to a close on Friday, there were some glum faces around, especially amongst the NGOs. The NGOs provide a much needed reality check to the rest of us and I think it’s a fair criticism that civil servants are often all too ready to point […]

Read more on Cheap Seats, Backsliding and Cuban Democracy | Reply

3rd October 2011

Avatar photo

by Peter Beckingham

Former governor in Turks and Caicos Islands

First ever British Business Groups’ national meet- ‘cautiously optimistic’

For the first time in living memory, and presumably ever, the British Business Groups (BBGs) around India held a national conference on 23-24 September 2011.   Over 150 delegates took part, largely representing the BBGs in Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, Goa and Chennai. It is difficult to summarise the conclusions of such a large group, but […]

Read more on First ever British Business Groups’ national meet- ‘cautiously optimistic’ | Reply (1)

30th September 2011

Avatar photo

by Nigel Baker

Ambassador to the Holy See (2011-2016)

Common Values in Foreign Policy

On 27 September, the Holy See Foreign Minister, Archbishop Mamberti, addressed the UN General Assembly in a wide ranging speech on current international issues or, as he put it – reminding us diplomats why we engage in international diplomacy – “the principal questions that concern humanity in the search for a better future for all”. […]

Read more on Common Values in Foreign Policy | Reply