The Council of Europe: UK Diplomatic and Parliamentary Excellence
Sam Kelly, political officer at the UK Delegation in Strasbourg, reports on a busy week for post which included a visit by the Prime Minister to argue the UK’s case for reforming the European Court of Human Rights: Reform of the European Court of … Read more »The Council of Europe: UK Diplomatic and Parliamentary Excellence
London, UK
27 January 2012
London Conference on Somalia: Political Process
Reading all of the comments on my three previous blogs has clearly reminded me (as if I needed reminding) that Somalis around the globe love political debate. That is why I am so glad that this blog is beginning to provide a forum for a large number … Read more »London Conference on Somalia: Political Process
Nairobi, Kenya
27 January 2012
Working with the EU to help pursue UK foreign policy objectives
I have just attended the January meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Brussels and have been reflecting on how the collective weight of EU members can be harnessed to promote the UK’s national prosperity and security. For example, at the … Read more »Working with the EU to help pursue UK foreign policy objectives
London, UK
24 January 2012
Making the European Court of Human Rights work better
This week is a big week for the UK in Strasbourg. We are 11 weeks into our 6 month Chairmanship of the Council of Europe. We are pressing ahead with our wide-ranging Chairmanship priorities, in particular our ambitious package of reforms for the … Read more »Making the European Court of Human Rights work better
London, UK
23 January 2012
London Conference on Somalia: Enhancing Security, Supporting Stability
Thank you for the fantastic response to my previous blog. It’s great to see so many comments. For my next few blogs I intend to focus on the key themes of the London Conference, and would like to ask that comments try to focus on each of those … Read more »London Conference on Somalia: Enhancing Security, Supporting Stability
Nairobi, Kenya
20 January 2012
Recent posts from our bloggers
Down on the Farm
Next week we are looking forward to a visit from the British Agriculture Minister, Jim Paice. I’m particularly looking forward to it because, instead of the more usual formal bilateral ministerial meeting around a table, Mr Paice’s Czech counterpart, Petr Bendl, will be taking us to visit a farm. Alongside urgent discussion of challenges … Read more »Down on the Farm

And Justice For All
Fraser Thomas, Political Officer I attended the first informal of the Danish Presidency at the Bella Centre on Thursday 26th. From across the EU, Justice and Interior ministers, with their flocks of officials came to discuss some of the central challenges in Europe – asylum, solidarity, data collection/protection, migration etc. My day started … Read more »And Justice For All

Scientific Digital Diplomacy
A major role of Scientific Diplomacy is to improve international relations through scientific interactions between countries. We have just held the Conference of the UK Science and Innovation Network in London and there were many discussions on Scientific Diplomacy. A highlight of the meeting was the emerging activity of “Scientific Digital … Read more »Scientific Digital Diplomacy

CT World Cup Rally comes to Windhoek: from Big Ben south to the bottom of Africa
I met up with members of the CT World Cup Rally Team at the Kalahari Sands Hotel last night for a drink as they passed through Namibia on their epic ‘3 continent/14 countries/in 27 driving days’ journey down the African continent. The Rally marks the first ever timed driving event from Europe to the bottom of Africa. The trip, which started … Read more »CT World Cup Rally comes to Windhoek: from Big Ben south to the bottom of Africa

Another Council: Time to focus on unlocking Europe’s economic potential….
Following the December European Council, I made a point of explaining how the British Government remains fully committed to playing a strong and positive role with our European partners. Britain’s membership of the EU is vital to our national interest and we are determined to work together to ensure that all the nations of Europe are equipped to … Read more »Another Council: Time to focus on unlocking Europe’s economic potential….
