This week at the Foreign Office
A look at the work of the Foreign Office in London and its embassies overseas this week.
This week Her Majesty The Queen visited the United Arab Emirates & Oman. The Foreign Secretary accompanied The Queen on the State visit, and signed a formal declaration reaffirming the 1971 UK-UAE Friendship Treaty.
On Tuesday the Foreign Secretary met the Macedonian Prime Minister and confirmed the UK’s commitment to European enlargement for the Western Balkans.
On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, the Foreign Secretary made a statement on the launch of the UK’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.
Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt became the first Foreign Office Minister to visit Iraq since the UK Coalition Government took office.
In a speech to the UK Association of European Lawyers, Minister for Europe David Lidington talked about the importance of the EU Bill for safeguarding Parliamentary sovereignty.
Minister for Central and Latin America Jeremy Browne visited Mexico, Panama and Guatemala to promote trade links with the UK.
On Wednesday Minister for Africa Henry Bellingham met President of Somaliland Ahmed Mohamed Mohamud Silanyo. The Minister said that the uk is “keen to maintain and strengthen our very close bilateral relationship”.
Lord Howell answered questions on the Western Sahara in the House of Lords. He also met students who won a ‘Justice and Fairness’ competition for their knowledge and experience of humanitarian issues.
On Thursday we launched our latest See Britain film. In this film, President of Hertz Michel Taride talked about the unique attributes that make the UK such a good place for international businesses.
Our Embassy in Norway talked about the Christmas tree for Trafalgar Square, an annual gift from Norway to the UK.
In travel news this week we covered demonstrations in central Bangkok and strikes affecting transport in Portugal. We also gave advice as research reveals that almost a third of people in the UK admit to not taking out travel insurance for their winter sports holidays.