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News Archive
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GIBRALTAR'S ENFRANCHISEMENT FOR EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT ELECTIONS ANNOUNCED
Foreign Office Minister Peter Hain
announced on 28 November the Government's intention that, for the first time ever, the Gibraltar electorate should be able to vote in European Parliamentary elections. 'The Government fully supports Gibraltar's aspiration and right to be represented in the European Parliament. We are committed to achieving this in time for the next elections in 2004,' Mr Hain said.
'THE CASE FOR A EUROPEAN SECURITY AND DEFENCE POLICY'
In a speech to the Royal United Services Institute Conference, the Minister for Europe, Peter Hain, spoke of the importance of European security in the aftermath of the terrorist events of 11 September. He emphasised that the key to defeating terrorism is international co-operation and that recent events have given ‘new prominence to the role of international bodies like NATO and the European Union’. Mr Hain described recent developments in European Security and Defence Policy and the continuing drive to strengthen defence capabilities. He stated that ‘NATO will remain the cornerstone of our territorial defence and security’, in concert with the European Union.
‘DEBATE ON ZIMBABWE’
Speaking at a debate in Westminster Hall, the FCO Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ben Bradshaw, expressed the UK Government's grave concern about the 'unfolding human tragedy' in Zimbabwe. He went on to re-state the principles of Britain's policy, saying that he wanted to see a 'stable, prosperous and democratic' Zimbabwe, and that in conjunction with the EU, the Commonwealth and other southern African countries, he was committed to achieving it.
FCO QUESTIONS IN THE COMMONS
The Hansard transcript of FCO Questions in the House of Commons on 27 November is available on the Parliament website. Ministers answered questions on: Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Gibraltar, Afghanistan, European security and defence initiative, EU accession and enlargement, the Coalition Against Terrorism, the Middle East, terrorism.
MINISTERIAL ENGAGEMENTS
In addition to their regular official and parliamentary duties, FCO Ministers have the following public engagements...
TRAVEL ADVICE NOTICES
The following countries have updated travel advice notices.
FCO Daily Bulletin...
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