Ferrero-Rocher did diplomats no favours with their adverts. Even my own kids think it funny. But the round of national days is surprisingly productive. Each one has their own range of invited guests - those at the Egyptian national day are slightly different from the Moroccan etc. At each you can meet new people, open new horizons and reinforce relationships with those you haven't had time to call on but with whom 5 minutes at a reception is time well spent. Others get a chance to vent their anger at British policy without having to cause offence by doing it in your office! It is work, despite the adverts - and no there is not always champagne and chocolates to make it easier to work the room. Usually I come away from such events with at least two follow up meetings, sometimes some ideas for new projects or visits and some new ideas about the political situation. Last night all the politicians and those close to politicians were predicting that the long-awaited ministerial statement would finally be agreed. That made for positive encounters even amongst those on different sides of the political spectrum. This morning it seems that optimism was ill-placed which is perturbing. Moral of the story: beware of what you hear at cocktail parties !!
Posted at 07:23 31 July 2008 by Frances Guy | Comments[0]
- Share this with:
-
-
-
-
-