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 Foreign Secretary William Hague met chairman of the Libyan National Transitional Council (NTC) Mustafa Abdul Jalil. The Government has invited the NTC to establish an office in the UK.
He discussed bilateral relations in his meetings with the Irish Foreign Minister and the Maltese Prime Minister.
On Wednesday he announced a strategic shift for the Foreign Office’s overseas network with plans to expand connections with the emerging powers of the world.
Condemning the attacks in Pakistan on 13 May, the Foreign Secretary said “the UK is committed to standing with Pakistan in the fight against violent extremism and we will continue to work with Pakistan to tackle this shared threat.”
On Tuesday the Foreign Office launched it’s Business charter, which teamed with the UK Trade and Investment strategy demonstrates the Government’s dedication to supporting international business.
Trade and Investment Minister Lord Green welcomed greater trade relations with America’s West Coast during his visit.
Announcing plans to save the taxpayer nearly half a million pounds, Foreign Office Minister Henry Bellingham published a review of the Government wine cellar.
Minister for Europe David Lidington represented the UK at the annual Council of Europe Ministers meeting in Istanbul on Wednesday.
The Foreign Office summoned the Syrian ambassador today to express the UK’s strong concerns about the ongoing situation in Syria. On Tuesday Foreign Office Minister Alistair Burt called upon the Syrian Government to allow UN Humanitarian organisations to undertake assessments of the situation across Syria as they were denied access to Deraa.
Minister for the Commonwealth Lord Howell called on all Commonwealth members to comment on the Eminent Persons Group’s draft recommendations to sharpen impact and strengthen the Commonwealth.