Serbia – from war to EU candidate in 20 years
On Friday, European leaders agreed to Serbia being a candidate for future EU membership. The significance of this achievement, and the difficult steps Serbia had to take to get here, should not be overlooked. Serbia has come a long way in the last … Read more »Serbia – from war to EU candidate in 20 years
London, UK
5 March 2012
Visit Britain in 2012 – You’re really welcome!
Wow! I recently had the opportunity to take part in a huge press briefing in Warsaw to launch Visit Britain 2012 in Poland. As a Brit who has spent no more than 100 days in the UK in the last 10 years I have to say I was mega impressed and filled … Read more »Visit Britain in 2012 – You’re really welcome!
Warsaw, Poland
2 March 2012
Economic diplomacy from St James’ to San Juan
Last week I took a very belated Christmas holiday to Puerto Rico. It was very lovely…even if it has meant that one particular friend and colleague has sung West Side Story’s “America” (which compares the perceived pros and cons of … Read more »Economic diplomacy from St James’ to San Juan
Washington DC, USA
1 March 2012
Protecting the golden goose: sustainable development for the BVI
Two sets of remarks stand out from the many spoken during a two-day workshop last week organized by the Governor’s Office in conjunction with the UK’s Joint Nature Conservation Committee (JNCC): “As we embark on our review of this (Tourism … Read more »Protecting the golden goose: sustainable development for the BVI
Tortola, British Virgin Islands
28 February 2012
Unleashing growth and jobs in Europe
I gave a speech yesterday in Brussels at a summit on unleashing growth and jobs which was organised by the Lisbon Council, a think tank. There is no doubt that Europe faces a major crisis. The current difficulties in the Eurozone are having a … Read more »Unleashing growth and jobs in Europe
London, UK
28 February 2012
Recent posts from our bloggers
English in Lebanon: A Fire Worth Lighting
A love of English language teaching is in my DNA. My first job was as an English teacher, to Palestinian schoolchildren. My Grandfather spent fifty years in Nigeria, promoting access to English education. And my father has devoted his life to making it easier and more fun for people to learn English. He lives the Mark Twain line that education is … Read more »English in Lebanon: A Fire Worth Lighting
Learning from Slovakia: creating a strong civil society in Libya
Last weekend the British Embassy in Tripoli organised for Pavol Demes, a renowned civil society activist from Slovakia, to visit Libya. In case you’re wondering what the connection is between Slovakia and Libya, it turns out there are several – both have small populations (Slovakia about 5 milllion; Libya about 6 million), both experienced … Read more »Learning from Slovakia: creating a strong civil society in Libya
Ukraine/EU: article by 5 European Foreign Ministers
The Foreign Ministers of the United Kingdom, Sweden, the Czech Republic, Poland and Germany have published an important article in the International Herald Tribune about Ukraine. In the article, the authors note that they see themselves as Ukraine’s allies and are convinced that closer political and economic ties, as well as people-to-people … Read more »Ukraine/EU: article by 5 European Foreign Ministers
Panels, Protocols and Ponchos
It’s been a busy week. With our Ministers in town for the Council’s High level Segment, we’ve all been suffering from higher than average stress levels. Many Ministers chose to use their statements to focus on the appalling violations in Syria, which the Council addressed in an urgent debate on Tuesday. Council members spoke out … Read more »Panels, Protocols and Ponchos
Hanoi Love Stories
How would you describe Hanoi, in a word? Some might feel, as I did when I first arrived, that it is a city of noise, and in particular a city of motorbike honking. Of course this is the dynamic sound of progress and energy. I have also heard said that it is a city of food. Hanoi cuisine is fabulous, and this is the only city where I have walked … Read more »Hanoi Love Stories
