UK in Sweden

25th January 2013

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by Paul Johnston

Ambassador to Ireland

Five Principles for Europe’s Future

As you will have seen, the British Prime Minister made an important speech on the future of the EU in London on 23 January. The PM’s speech reiterates his commitment to keeping the UK in the EU, at the heart of the Single Market, but also leading EU action on energy, climate change, development, foreign […]

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15th January 2013

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by Paul Johnston

Ambassador to Ireland

The Virtues of Sin…

The SIN (Science and Innovation Network) is a UK government venture, which builds opportunities for the UK scientific community to enter into partnerships with policy, business and academic counterparts around the world.  Located in about 30 countries around the world, the network is made up of about 90 staff. Their goal is to highlight innovation […]

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8th January 2013

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by Paul Johnston

Ambassador to Ireland

Europe in 2013

First and foremost, happy New Year. I hope 2013 is a great year for all of you. Late 2012 marked the mid-point of the UK Coalition government’s five year term and this week the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister published the Government’s own mid-term review. Given the interest in Sweden on the UK’s approach […]

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19th December 2012

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by Paul Johnston

Ambassador to Ireland

2012: 12 Highlights

This is my last blog of the year. Many thanks to all of you for taking the time to read my ramblings. Herewith twelve personal highlights from a fascinating, fun and fast-moving year in Sweden: January saw the first of many Ministerial visits this year. Lord Green, our Business Minister came for a big meeting […]

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17th December 2012

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by Paul Johnston

Ambassador to Ireland

Climate challenges after Doha – some light amidst the gloom

The latest round of international talks on climate change ended last weekend in Doha. One of my previous postings was at the UK Mission to the UN so I have firsthand experience of how exhausting and difficult these huge international negotiations can be. From a distance, the outcome from Doha looks like a modest step […]

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12th December 2012

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by Paul Johnston

Ambassador to Ireland

FAILURES, FROGS AND FINDINGS, BRITAIN’S 2012 NOBEL LAUREATE

Today my blog in the Local, “The Diplomatic Dispatch”  lives up to its name, as I post the text of the diplomatic telegram I sent back to London yesterday about Britain’s Sir John Gurdon’s Nobel prize win. I presented John with a copy of the text yesterday and he liked it, so I hope it […]

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10th December 2012

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by Paul Johnston

Ambassador to Ireland

The UK in the EU: 40 years on; assessing impact

Britain joined the EU (or the EEC as it then was) on 1 January 1973. To say the least the EU (and the UK) has changed a lot since then. For most of that period there’s been a lively debate on what the impact of EU membership is on the UK. Our government is clear […]

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6th December 2012

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by Paul Johnston

Ambassador to Ireland

Facing up to the economic chill: Britain’s response

As winter sets in here, the Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered what’s called the Autumn Statement  to Parliament in London on 5 December. The Government’s economic strategy is focussed on reducing the deficit, restoring stability, rebalancing the economy and equipping the UK to compete in the global race. The government’s new decisions relate to three […]

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23rd November 2012

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by Paul Johnston

Ambassador to Ireland

The International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

Guest blog by Jenny Söderqvist, Political Attaché at the British Embassy in Sweden This Sunday is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women – a UN initiative to raise awareness about this complex and serious problem. The date – 25 of November – has not been chosen at random, but marks the […]

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21st November 2012

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by Paul Johnston

Ambassador to Ireland

Trade, tax, transparency: the UK G8 agenda

Next year Britain chairs the G8, the group of the world’s most developed Western economies. So what you might ask? Some people ask: does the G8 still matter, when we have a G20, embracing also the emerging powers, including Brazil, India and China? The UK’s answer is “Yes”. The G8 is a group of like-minded […]

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