10th November 2012
Beirut, Lebanon
Following Remembrance services in Saida and Tripoli on Thursday, we have just left the third, in the beautifully kept Commonwealth War Graves Cemetery in Beirut. The torrential rain cleared, and we honoured those who fell, driving Vichy from Lebanon in 1941. We share these poignant moments with former allies and former foes. The allied contingent […]
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9th November 2012
Beirut, Lebanon
This weekend, Beirut will come together for the marathon. There is no more striking example of unity, common purpose and the best of the Lebanese spirit. The road is a great leveller – it does not ask your confessional group or political allegiance. A small group of Ambassadors always join in, slowly. This year, they […]
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8th November 2012
Dublin, Ireland
I am off to London to participate in a week of events selling the opportunity for British business that Emerging Europe represents. Let me begin by defining Emerging Europe. At its core are nine markets, Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia, which together make up the Foreign Office’s Central European […]
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7th November 2012
Washington DC, USA
Sunday marks the ninety-fourth anniversary of the Armistice which ended the First World War. The guns on the Western Front finally fell silent at eleven o’clock on the eleventh day of the eleventh month of 1918 after four years of fighting which had claimed the lives of sixteen million and maimed a further twenty million. […]
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26th October 2012
Dublin, Ireland
Our Minister for Europe David Lidington was in town this week for discussions with Polish Ministers, commentators and representatives of British business. It was an excellent opportunity to challenge some of the assertions in the local media regarding the UK’s disengagement from the EU and our attitude towards Structural and Cohesion Funds for Poland. On […]
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25th October 2012
Warsaw, Poland
We’re about to start the biggest ever UK roadshow promoting great business opportunity in Emerging Europe. We’re getting really excited. Emerging market opportunity bang on the UK’s doorstep. At some stage before the end of November we will have been within an hour of most businesses in the UK. We really want you to hear […]
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22nd October 2012
New Delhi, India
Now entering its second year the Chevening Rolls-Royce Science and Innovation Leadership Programme (CRISP) is open for applications for the academic year 2013. This 11 week programme aimed at high-flying mid-career scientists and innovators is held at the Saïd Business School at the University of Oxford. It offers lectures, workshops, debates and meetings with high-profile […]
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16th October 2012
This post was published when the author was in a previous role
SME exporters in Leeds, big corporates in Canary Wharf, Australian inward investors in Manchester. I’ve spent a busy few days supporting the UK economy, which is the top priority for our overseas network. At an export seminar in Leeds hosted by the big international law firm DLA Piper, I spoke about the many export opportunities […]
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15th October 2012
Toronto, Canada
This was written for Blog Action Day 2012, on the theme The Power of We. When it comes to action on climate change, it’s hard not to have an effect far beyond the immediate actions you’re taking. If you’re mitigating climate change by cycling to work or developing clean technology then you’re ultimately benefiting the […]
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12th October 2012
Washington DC, USA
At the last UK election, we borrowed from a US campaign staple and televised debates between the candidates for Prime Minister for the first time. And they generated a good amount of interest and engagement. But the excitement absolutely pales in comparison to what I experienced across the US following the first Obama/Romney Presidential debate […]
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