David Miliband

Curvy Cucumbers

The EU has defied sceptic attacks and shown its distaste for waste, approving the sale of curvy, knobbly, natural fruit. These measures combine common sense and subsidiarity. So there.

Posted at 23:02 30 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]

China-European Commission agreement on CCS

I blogged recently about the need to finance environmental measures in developing countries ('A Greener World'). I was pleased to see the European Commission's announcement on Thursday of its intention to help fund carbon capture and storage demonstration with China - particularly since the original EU-China Partnership on Climate Change was launched through a joint declaration during the UK's last EU Presidency in 2005.

We have long argued that providing global certainty on the demonstration of CCS (by 2015) and its deployment (by 2020) is central to any credible climate change agreement which deals effectively with fossil fuel, and coal in particular.

A credible global CCS demonstration effort will require substantive international collaboration between major coal dependent economies. The Commission's announcement is a welcome step in the right direction. Funding CCS demonstration in China would complement the G8's commitment to launch 20 demonstrations in 2010.

More broadly this Commission-Chinese initiative can provide a model for more proposals for collaborative projects between developed countries and emerging economies. Nevertheless we need to act much faster and more ambitiously on CCS and other mitigation technologies as we approach Copenhagen.

Posted at 15:00 30 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[1]

Toughest Job in Government?

Morgan Tsvangirai has finished a three week tour to rally support to the reform programme he is trying to drive through. I spent part of last week with him. The government supports his efforts. He has viciously difficult structural problems - and a transitional government with Robert Mugabe. One would be tough enough on its own; the two together make his one of the toughest jobs in government.

The UK is determined to offer practical and public support to the implementation of the transitional government's programme leading to fresh elections in about eighteen months. Step by step we will support the reform. Mark Malloch Brown's article in the Times shows the way forward and explains why easing sanctions on members of the Mugabe elite is not the place to start.

It's easy to say Tsvangirai has a battle on his hands. We have to help him.

Posted at 10:05 30 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[1]

Gaza

The G8 Foreign Ministers reiterated their support for UNSC Resolution 1860 and its call for a halt to any smuggling into Gaza and the immediate opening of Crossings.  This is important because rocket fire into Israel has been significantly reduced but not eliminated, while the number of trucks entering Gaza, which leapt last week to over 800, is still below the 500 per day that the UN say is essential.  Meanwhile the closure of crossings provides an incentive for tunnelling and smuggling.  Until these issues are resolved the threat of confrontation remains.

Posted at 21:50 27 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[7]

United effort in Afghanistan

The Italian chairmanship of the G8 group of industrialised countries brought over 40 delegations to Trieste to forge common ideas on Afghanistan and Pakistan.  For Afghanistan, I stressed the importance of credible elections on 20 August. We do not support any particular one (of the 41) candidates but instead are working for a process that commands the confidence of Afghans.  On the civilian side I emphasised: a) governance at provincial and district level; b) reconciliation of former Taliban willing to live by the constitution; and c) the economy and especially the renewal of agriculture.
The leadership in Pakistan has succesfully reached out across the political spectrum to rally popular opinion behind a surge in military activity against the militants.  The people and government of Pakistan need our help to support and then resettle internally-displaced persons as soon as possible.
Strong and credible political leadership is the best antidote to the fear of the war-weary people of both countries. That is what we are trying to support.

Posted at 19:44 27 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[0]

Armed Forces Day

The bravery, intelligence and sacrifices of our armed forces have been given appropriate coverage this week through the media's focus on Afghanistan.  Armed Forces Day gives official recognition and hopefully raises understanding and pride.  It is also a chance to raise extra money for the Help for Heroes charity - the attached link gives details of the run along the Kabul Wall by the British ambassador and the leading British officer, General Dutton. http://www.justgiving.com/H4H-Ambassador-General.

Posted at 19:37 27 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[3]

Michael Jackson

The death of Michael Jackson is very sad news for his family, friends and fans.  My thoughts are with his family at this time.

But the instant Twitter put out in my name last night was not me. 

Posted at 14:16 26 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[5]

European Future

The European election results show that there is a big job for pro Europeans all over Europe to counter apathy or negativism about the European Union.  One way to do that is to put behind us institutional debates.  This was a theme of my speech in the House of Commons last week before the European Council.  But another essential feature is to map out a positive role for the EU in the future.

We need to defend the gains of the past.  For me that means understanding that Europe has a distinctive model of the social market economy and liberal politics.  Social market economy because the market is regulated to serve the public interest.  liberal politics because the foundation of the EU is the respect for civil, political and social rights that came out of the Enlightenment.  But we also need to advance a new set of European responsibilities for the future.  In my speech I pick out two areas in particular.

First energy.  It was a particularly apposite to speak about this in Poland given the dependence of Europe on Russian gas.  The second is foreign policy where Europe needs to speak with a clearer louder voice.  People talk about a "G2 (Group of Two)" world in 2050, meaning the US and China. If there is to be a G3 then Europe needs to be the third leg, not replacing the nation state but speaking up for European interests and values. 

Posted at 16:42 25 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[4]

Polish Roots

Most foreign trips evoke a range of emotions.  Tuesday's trip to Poland brought sharper feelings than usual.

Britain has a great historic alliance with Poland.  100s of 1000s of Poles fought with the Allies in the Second World War.  But my link is more personal.  My mother was born in Poland before emigrating to the UK after the War.  My father's grandparents were born in Warsaw before leaving for Belgium after the First World War.  But the history of Poland's Jewish community, at its height some three million strong, turned to tragedy during the Holocaust. Only 300,000 survived the War.

The deepest questions of responsibility and victimisation are raised by this history.  On Tuesday I found a modern Poland defining a new and confident place for itself.  Interestingly the Museum of the History of Polish Jews for which building starts on the 30th June is a symbol of this, looking at 1000 years of Polish/Jewish history and to occupy a building funded by the Polish government.  I wish it every success.

Posted at 16:17 25 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]

The Lisbon Treaty - Uncut

The European Council today agreed a legally binding decision confirming legal guarantees in respect of abortion, defence and tax that the Irish government said were at the heart of Irish voters' concerns about the Lisbon Treaty. The decision does not change the Lisbon Treaty as it affects Britain. It confirms rather than changes what was said in parliament during the passage of the Lisbon Treaty. The decision of today will be annexed to the treaties of the EU as a protocol during the next accession treaty.

The events today give the Irish voters clarity as they move towards a referendum in the autumn.

Posted at 20:55 19 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[2]

Iran - elections

Here are links to two interviews on C4 and BBC News  from last night with my views about events in Iran. The scenes from Tehran, and reports from other cities, are remarkable.  The contrast of pre-election debate with post-election violence is deplorable.

People ask whether or not we are doing enough to back Mousavi supporters. Fair question - Senator John Kerry also addressed this issue in a typically eloquent piece today. The fact is that those on the streets have not asked for us to be their spokesmen. We need to stand for our deeply held commitment that it is for the Iranian people to decide on their government, and we will continue to call for peaceful respect for media and protestors. The fact is that many Iranians have severe doubts about the outcome announced on Friday. They deserve to have their doubts addressed.

These are fine lines but we know the cost of crossing them. The memory of foreign intervention throughout their history is deep within all Iranians. A proud people wants to decide its own future.  We should defend that.

Posted at 17:46 18 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[21]

The First EU-Pakistan Summit

Today's first ever EU-Pakistan Summit recognises the critical importance of a stable, prosperous and democratic Pakistan to the member states of the European Union.

The Summit establishes a long-term strategic partnership to tackle issues like violent extremism, security, and democratic governance - issues of importance to every EU member state, including the UK.

It is vital that the international community supports Pakistan's fight against terrorism and militancy. The EU has demonstrated its commitment to the people of Pakistan, not least through the huge increase in EU humanitarian aid funding.  A package of 124m euros will help address the crisis and assist those affected by the fighting in the North West Frontier Province.

The EU and Pakistan have also agreed to an enhanced trade dialogue, which we hope will lead to a full Free Trade Agreement. As President Zardari has emphasised, this should bring real economic benefits to Pakistan.

Posted at 21:06 17 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[3]

A Greener World

Last Friday was World Environment Day  and our Posts organised events ranging from raising awareness in China , to encouraging a Walk and Ride Day in Amman, to green themed events such as that recently held in Buenos Aires .

Our commitment to the environment also extends to managing our global operations more sustainably.  It involves all our Posts setting up Green Teams, calculating their carbon footprint and implementing energy saving initiatives such as installing solar panels for hot water and purchasing fuel efficient vehicles. Our Embassy in Zagreb has just installed a green roof  that provides better thermal and sound installation, attracts city wildlife and is a visible demonstration of the FCO's approach to reducing its carbon emissions.
 
The big vision is an accelerated shift towards a low carbon high growth global economy  We want to see an ambitious international agreement to reduce global carbon emissions this December in Copenhagen, vital if we are to keep average temperature increases within two degrees of pre-industrial levels. The FCO is working both bilaterally and at global meetings to persuade international partners to take on emissions reductions targets and also, where possible, to finance environmental measures in developing countries.

Posted at 15:59 12 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[7]

D-Day commemoration

My dad was in the Royal Navy for D-Day. I will never forget him telling me that when he looked out from on deck on the morning of 6 June all he could see was ships, large and small, as far as the eye could see, covering the water.

This year's 65th anniversary commemoration included representatives of the South Shields Branch of the Normandy Veterans Association. Their testimony from the Shields Gazette and the Today Programme is striking.

Posted at 13:06 10 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[0]

Icesave - good news from Reykjavik

Very pleased to hear the news from Reykjavik that we've reached agreement on the way to draw a line under the Icesave saga so that UK taxpayers' money is refunded and Iceland's economy is given the space to re-establish itself. I'm looking forward to a rapid restoration of the excellent relations the UK and Iceland enjoy.

As Iceland considers EU membership I wish Ossur Skarrphedinsson and his colleagues well as they debate this question in one of the world's oldest Parliaments.

Posted at 17:52 09 June 2009 by David Miliband  |  Comments[3]