FCO Minister, Bill Rammell, has reaffirmed the UK Government's support for the efforts the Colombian Government has made in seeking a negotiated solution to its long running internal conflict. Following his meeting with the Colombian Foreign Minister, Carolina Barco, Mr Rammell said that he had 'stressed the urgency for Colombia to fulfil the pledges and commitments' made at the London Meeting on Support for Colombia of 10 July 'urged the Colombian Government to reiterate its support for NGOs and civil society'.

Foreign Office Minister, Bill Rammell, today welcomed the conclusion of the joint anti-drug operation with the Colombian Police. Mr Rammell said, 'The arrests today are a tribute to the close cooperation that the UK and Colombia have forged in the war against drugs. It will mean less drugs on our streets and less money in the hands of those who try to deal in drugs. I pay tribute to the work of the police here and in Colombia.'

Following the London Meeting on International Support for Colombia at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office today, Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell said: 'The meeting has been a positive step forward. We have achieved a unified position confirming the international community's support for Colombia as it seeks to tackle its severe internal conflict and serious illegal drugs problems and at the same time urging the Colombian Government to tackle human rights concerns. I welcome the Colombian Government's recognition and support for the role of civil society, governmental organisations and trade unions as important stakeholders in carrying out reform and defending human rights.'

Foreign Office Minister, Bill Rammell, congratulated Nestor Kircher on his confirmation as President-elect of Argentina. He said, 'Bilateral relations between the UK and Argentina are in very good shape and we look forward to working with the new Argentine Government'.

In a written statement to Parliament on 21 March, the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, announced that the UK's diplomatic representation in Central America will be reorganised in response to changing strategic priorities. The changes will affect El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua.

In an adjournment debate in Westminster Hall, Foreign Office Minister, Bill Rammell, spoke of the economic crisis in Argentina over recent months and the challenges the country now faces 'to make further progress towards economic stability'. He said that currently, bilateral relations between the UK and Argentina are 'very good' and emphasised the strong links that exist in the area of trade and investment. The Minister added, 'The path to economic stability and prosperity for the people of Argentina is a difficult one', but that 'the prospects for Argentina are very positive'. Mr Rammell said that the role of the British Government is now 'to work with the Argentine Government and help in whatever way we can to ensure that they take the right decisions and seize opportunities'.

The Foreign Office amended its travel advice for Venezuela on 5 February and is no longer advising against travel to Venezuela. The situation in Venezuela has improved, and although the potential for further political disturbances remains, the Foreign Office assesses that the situation has eased sufficiently to warrant this new advice.

In an interview for BBC News 24 on 21 December, Foreign Office Minister Bill Rammell spoke about the recent change to travel advice for Venezuela. He said the political crisis in Venezuela is 'a very worrying situation' and that the ongoing oil strike 'has a potential impact on the breakdown in essential goods'. As a result, he said 'we simply think that it's the best advice possible for British nationals to leave'.

British nationals intending to travel to Colombia over the Christmas period should be aware that the British Embassy is closed as from 20 December and will open again on 2 January 2003, subject to a further assessment of the situation. This is in response to a specific threat to a number of foreign Embassy buildings in Bogota, including the British Embassy.

Speaking at a meeting of the South Atlantic Council on 22 May 2002, FCO Minister, Denis MacShane, expressed the UK's determination to build on its dialogue with Argentina. In the approach to the twentieth anniversary of the Falklands conflict the Minister spoke of the vast improvement of relations between Britain, Argentina and the Falklands from twenty years ago, manifested, he said, in the 'profound gesture of reconciliation' by Falkland Islanders in erecting a memorial to the Argentine war dead. Describing the new relationship as one of sensible and practical co-operation he said it was a mutual duty put old differences aside and continue cultivating the successful relationship that had been built up. Concluding his speech, he said: 'The Falklands conflict helped define the South Atlantic generation of 1982. My sincerely held belief is that the South Atlantic generation of 2002 can be defined by understanding, co-operation and peace.'