11th November 2015 Skopje, North Macedonia
This year I was privileged to take part in a Remembrance ceremony in Skopje at the invitation of the British Embassy. Although I am currently serving in EUFOR in Sarajevo Bosnia Herzegovina, this was my first visit to the Republic of Macedonia and I was delighted to get the opportunity not only to be part […]
2nd November 2015 Chevening, UKSkopje, North Macedonia
“The human right to freedom is irrevocable. No person’s freedom can be restricted except by a court decision or in cases and procedures determined by law” is one of the guarantees of the Macedonian constitution of 1991. Unlike British history, Macedonian history does not have its own historical declarations of human and civil rights, however […]
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12th October 2015 Skopje, North Macedonia
Migration, Asylum and Refugees Regional Initiative (MARRI) was established in 2004. It is a unique mechanism dealing with these three areas in the Region. Our motto is to act as advocate and be catalyst of the Western Balkans Six interests and responses to the challenges related to our field of competence. Albania, Macedonia, Bosnia and […]
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28th September 2015 London, UKSkopje, North Macedonia
The UK Civil Service doesn’t have an official motto – but if it did, it would almost certainly be: “speak truth unto power”. It’s a maxim that’s in the blood of good civil servants, even if they know that it won’t make their lives any easier. The best politicians learn to cherish civil service advice […]
7th September 2015 Skopje, North Macedonia
If you ever you get the chance to speak to students at the Preparing Global Leaders Institute (PGLI) course, snap it up. Few weeks ago I was back in Struga, on the shores of Lake Ohrid in Macedonia’s sun-blessed south, to do just that. Actually, any opportunity to speak with a group of students is […]
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19th August 2015 Chevening, UKSkopje, North Macedonia
20 years ago I saw an advert in a UK national newspaper which was headlined “Don’t apply to be a diplomat…” I was intrigued. Why would the Foreign and Commonwealth office be advertising for people not to apply for one of their jobs? The answer was fairly clear as I read on. It said don’t […]
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29th July 2015 Skopje, North Macedonia
Having in mind the recent political developments in the country, it has never been more important to deconstruct the meaning of the term Public interest. It seems that the term has various meanings, depending on who you ask, and whose interests are on the line. In general, public interest involves matters, or policies that affect […]
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23rd July 2015 London, UKSkopje, North Macedonia
For a small country, Macedonia has a lot to offer and from my recent trip to Skopje it was clear that Macedonia is a state with big aspirations. In the midst of a difficult period, both internally and regionally, Macedonia looks to have the agility and resolve that is needed in order to respond to […]
25th June 2015 Skopje, North Macedonia
I leave Macedonia today after a fascinating three years as Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy in Skopje. There have been many developments across the political and economic spectrum during that time. I have had the pleasure of working with a dynamic team within this Embassy, and developed our cooperation in the fields […]
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2nd June 2015 Skopje, North Macedonia
This is not a political slogan. It is the title of an exhibition that the UK Parliament is hosting in celebration of 800 years of Magna Carta. The exhibition commissioned nine artists to produce banners for the historic and beautiful Westminster Hall, celebrating key moments along our journey to modern democracy. If you are not able to visit it in person, you can see the exhibition […]