In a speech at an FCO seminar on International Priorities for Scotland, on Tuesday 9 March 2004, Foreign Office Minister, Mike O'Brien, said: 'Foreign policy is becoming an integral part of our domestic priorities: We want to protect the UK from terrorism, international crime and drugs; We want to work more closely with our EU partners on the political, economic and social challenges which confront us all' Speaking of the importance of the EU, Mike O'Brien said: 'The EU is becoming increasingly central to our lives, not just in the pursuit of security but also for our economic well-being. It is the largest, single economic and political partnership of democratic states in the world. It is the largest, single market in the world – a market of 450 million people, bigger than the US and Japan combined.' The Minister concluded by saying: 'We all have a stake in world peace and prosperity. Only by working together, in local and global partnerships, can we help make the world safer and more prosperous for us all.'

Mr Anthony Brenton CMG has been appointed Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Russian Federation in succession to Sir Roderic Lyne KBE CMG, who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Mr Anthony Brenton will take up his new appointment in September 2004.

Dr Peter Collecott CMG has been appointed Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Federative Republic of Brazil in succession to Sir Roger Bone KCMG, who will be retiring from the Diplomatic Service. Dr Peter Collecott will take up his new appointment at the end of July 2004.

Mr Alan Jones has been appointed British High Commissioner to Belize in succession to Mr Philip Priestley CBE. Mr Alan Jones will take up his new appointment towards the end of October 2004.

In addition to their regular official and Parliamentary duties, FCO Ministers have the following public engagements today and on Monday...

Speaking in a joint press conference with the Israeli Vice Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, began by expressing his shock at the terrorist attacks in Madrid earlier today. The experience of terrorism, he said, was one that Britain, Spain and Israel all had in common, adding that such outrages were a shock to everyone in the civilised world. The Foreign Secretary went on to account for his discussions with the Israeli Vice Prime Minister. The main issue under discussion was Ariel Sharon's proposals for a withdrawal from the Gaza strip. Jack Straw welcomed the plan saying: 'I have made clear to the Vice Prime Minister that we welcome any withdrawal from Gaza by the Israeli defence forces and the Israeli government. We are very anxious that this should be in a way consistent with the road map and in a way which is acceptable to the international community, but I said that we will work in any way we can with the government of Israel to assist that process, if and when it begins.'

'Technology has brought radical changes to every part of the economy and to every part of people's lives,' said Foreign Office Minister, Mike O'Brien in a speech at the Global Technology Partnering Expo in Cambridge on 11 March. Describing the rapid growth in technological development and the corresponding growth in high tech exports, the Minister said the UK needed to use its knowledge, skills and creativity to innovate and compete on international markets. He went on to outline government investment in science and technology through investment, fiscal measures and the Global Watch programme. 'We want to make the UK the best location in the world for both research and development and innovation,' he said. 'Tell us how we can help you and, together, I have no doubt, we will succeed.'

In a speech at the Council of British Chambers in Continental Europe annual dinner, on Thursday 11 March 2004, FCO Minister, Mike O'Brien, spoke of 2004 as a momentous year for Europe: 'The accession of the 10 new member states marks a change of historic proportions. The biggest change in Europe since the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.' Speaking of the Lisbon economic reform agenda, the Minister said: 'It set a new direction away from regulation. It aimed to create the right framework for enterprise, innovation, competition and, ultimately, higher employment. The UK will push this reform programme. The prize is great.' In conclusion, Mr O'Brien said: 'A dynamic, democratic Europe of 25 nations has a unique chance to shape the world of the 21st century. We must not fail to seize the opportunity.'

In an interview on the BBC Today programme, on 11 March 2004, the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw spoke of the Madrid bombing: 'All terrorism has international dimensions, terrorism is completely indiscriminate in its victims and the idea of terrorism is to destroy democratic representative Government and to replace violence as a means of achieving ends rather than political debate and dialogue. Any terrorist outrage on this scale anywhere in the world is something that affects us all.' The Foreign Secretary went on to say: 'It is an assault on the very idea of democracy as well as being utterly terrible for the victims, for their relatives and friends and for the people of Spain.'

Following the decision by Croatian Generals Ivan Cermak and Mladen Markac to travel voluntarily to The Hague in response to indictments from the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), Foreign Office Minister for Europe Dr Denis MacShane said: 'I welcome the decision of Generals Cermak and Markac to go voluntarily to The Hague. They are setting an example which I hope General Gotovina will follow.'