Speech: UK Foreign Secretary and French Foreign Minister: Assad cannot be Syria’s future

Updated: Added translation

From the palace where he is hunkered down, Bashar al-Assad is not just waging a war against his own people; he is also fighting to improve his public image.

In the Western media, he is using the terror created by the extremists to present himself as a partner for us against chaos. Some appear to be swayed by this argument, saying that in the face of extremism, Assad’s injustice and dictatorship is preferable to disorder.

In reality, Assad is himself stoking injustice, disorder and extremism, and France and UK are standing firm together against all three.

This is why we should be deeply sceptical about Assad’s apparent agreement to stop shelling a civilian area of Aleppo for six weeks, brokered by the UN Envoy Staffan De Mistura. We welcome the dedication and effort of Mr De Mistura, and we all want to see a sustainable and genuine reduction in violence. But Assad’s past actions mean we cannot take his words at face value.

Assad has conducted the civil war in barbaric fashion. There is a list of war crimes and crimes against humanity, supposedly in the name of the fight against terrorism, but committed as part of a systematic regime policy.

We should not forget the use of chemical weapons, the indiscriminate use of violence against Syrian civilians, and the horrific images of torture and murder in Assad’s jails revealed to the world by the regime defector known as Caesar.

The reality is that Assad is considerably weaker than a year ago, and growing weaker still. His army is depleted, with increasing desertions by its own soldiers, and forced to recruit mercenaries from as far away as Asia. He is beholden to his regional sponsors who, like Hezbollah, are the power behind the throne in Syria.

Assad no longer controls his own country, having lost territory in the North, where the moderate opposition groups are fighting bravely. In the East, he is offering no resistance to ISIL. In the West, Al-Qaeda affiliates have set up. Assad’s own borders are infiltrated on all sides.

Proposing Assad as a solution to the extremists is to misunderstand the causes of the extremism. After 220,000 deaths and millions of displaced persons, we would be foolish to assume that a majority of Syrians would willingly agree to live under the control of their tormentor. And for us to dash their hopes of a better future for Syria without Assad would only serve to make many Syrians even more radicalised, pushing moderate people towards extremism rather than the reverse, and consolidating a jihadi stronghold in Syria.

For our own national security we have to defeat ISIL in Syria. We need a partner in Syria to work with against the extremists, and this means a political settlement agreed between the Syrian parties leading to a unity government in Syria. This will likely include parts of the existing regime structures, the National Coalition, and others with a moderate and inclusive vision for Syria, respecting Syria’s different communities. It is clear to us that Assad could not credibly be part of any such administration.

This transition would allow the Syrian people to regain hope for the future, and for us to tackle the root causes of ISIL. This is where we are focussing our political efforts. It is not an easy task, and we must all play our part in our own way. But France and the United Kingdom will spare no effort to achieve this goal.

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News story: St. Davids Day: Declaración Ministro Principal de Gales

St David’s Day Greeting from the First Minister of Wales

‘Dymuniadau gorau o Gymru i’n ffrindiau ar draws y Byd ar ddiwrnod ein nawdd sant Dewi.’ Con motivo del día de San David, me complace poder enviar nuestros más afectuosos deseos a todos nuestros amigos en todo el mundo.

Para Gales, éste ha sido un año repleto de acontecimientos. El pasado mes de septiembre, la cumbre de la OTAN se celebró en Newport, convirtiéndonos en testigos de la mayor reunión de jefes de gobierno que jamás se haya celebrado en suelo británico.

En el terreno deportivo, el equipo de Gales consiguió un récord con un total de 36 medallas en los Juegos de la Commonwealth, mientras que Cardiff acogía la final de la Supercopa de la UEFA. Cuando se trata de organizar eventos deportivos de primera línea, Gales se ha ganado una gran reputación como un país en el que se puede confiar.

Este año celebramos el 150 aniversario del desembarco del Mimosa en la Patagonia. La Patagonia es uno de los muchos lugares del mundo donde las comunidades galesas han prosperado y la identidad del País de Gales continúa viva.

En Gales estamos orgullosos de ser un país abierto al mundo. El número de turistas extranjeros que visitaron Gales creció 14 % durante los primeros nueve meses del año pasado, mientras que, por otro lado, las cifras relativas a la inversión extranjera han sido las mejores del último cuarto de siglo. Hoy más que nunca, espero que, durante los próximos años podamos trabajar juntos más allá de nuestras fronteras.

Esté en la parte del mundo que esté, disfrute de nuestra fiesta patronal de San David.

‘Dydd Gwyl Dewi hapus i chi gyd!’

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Press release: UK Minister concerned about delayed elections in Egypt

Minister for the Middle East Tobias Ellwood has responded to the news that parliamentary elections have been delayed in Egypt. Speaking today Mr Ellwood said:

I am concerned that Egypt has been without a full parliament for two and a half years. An effective and representative parliament is integral to the democratic transition on which Egypt’s stability and success depend.

I encourage all relevant institutions in Egypt to take the necessary steps to hold free and constitutional parliamentary elections as soon as possible and to complete the road map announced in July 2013. I welcome President al-Sisi’s commitment to amend the electoral laws within a month.

Further information

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News story: New Union Jack infrastructure plaques announced

Publicly-funded infrastructure projects – including roads, flood defences and broadband cabinets – will soon be branded with a Union Jack plaque, the government will announce tomorrow (Monday 2 March).

On a visit to the South-West Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander will say that the flag plaques, which he developed jointly with Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude, will brand major projects along the length and breadth of the UK.

The flags are designed to recognise the UK taxpayer’s key contribution in funding vital infrastructure projects across the country.

With £466 billion of planned projects in the pipeline, the government has committed to publicly-fund a significant element, providing a crucial motor in re-starting economic growth.

Only last week, the Secretary General of the OECD praised the UK’s investment in infrastructure and called on the government to “continue to build on the progress made with the National Infrastructure Plan” to ensure that the UK’s “textbook” recovery continues.

Having established the National Infrastructure Plan in 2010, Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander said:

I’ve prioritised infrastructure in this government because only long-term investments will support UK businesses and get the public finances and economy on a firm footing.

It’s only right that we recognise the contribution of the UK taxpayer in supporting this economic growth, which is why I’m delighted to launch these Union Jack plaques, which will proudly adorn infrastructure investments from roads in Cornwall to broadband in Caithness.

Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude added:

As part of our long term economic plan, this government is investing in our nation’s physical and digital infrastructure. Whether it’s High Speed 2 investment in the Northern Powerhouse or superfast broadband connecting Cornwall and Wales, all future infrastructure projects funded for by UK taxpayers will carry this simple UK flag branding.

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Press release: St David's day celebration trumpets record lamb exports and 376 million daffodil bulbs shipped around the world

St David’s Day revellers around the world will be tucking into tasty Welsh lamb as figures show exports have reached a record high, generating millions for the UK economy, Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss announced today.

In the last four years the UK exported £523m of Welsh lamb with sales hitting £154.7m in 2013, an increase of 38% since 2010, supporting over 50,000 jobs in the region.

Wales’s national symbol is also proving a success overseas with millions of the UK’s brightly coloured daffodil bunches expected to grace Easter tables across the world. Total overseas exports in 2014 weighed in at an impressive 6,220 tonnes, up 50% since 2010. In the last four years we have shipped 26,900 tonnes, equating to around 376 million bulbs and generating £22 million for our economy.

France, Germany, Belgium, Italy and the Netherlands are now the biggest buyers of Welsh lamb, with French imports valued at £74.7 million, five times higher than any other country. And enterprising Welsh lamb producers have successfully opened up new markets as far afield as the Middle East, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Across the world people are increasingly using Welsh lamb as the ingredient in local speciality dishes – from pinnekjøtt in Norway to koftas in the Middle East. Sales of welsh lamb have contributed to a record year for the UK food chain which generated £103 billion in 2013 and now employs 1 in 8 people.

Environment Secretary Elizabeth Truss said:

St David’s Day celebrations wouldn’t be complete without lamb and daffodils on the dinner table.

Thanks to the unique conditions for rearing Welsh sheep, combined with expert farming techniques, people the world over, from Stockholm to Singapore, are now recognising Welsh lamb’s unrivalled quality.

These impressive figures show how the UK’s world class farmers and bulb growers are helping power our growing economy. Overall our food chain is in rude health - it generated more than 200,000 jobs over the past four years, supporting our long term economic plan.

Gwyn Howells, Chief Executive of Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales, said:

Welsh Lamb has a well-earned reputation as a premium quality brand which is sought after by consumers right across the globe.

Consumers rightly appreciate our clean, green farming methods which allow our sheep and cattle to roam extensively across the hills and valleys of Wales, exactly as nature intended. It’s why Welsh Lamb is of such high quality and makes it the ideal centrepiece for any St David’s Day celebration.

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Press release: School success adds £140,000 to wages, research reveals

Knuckling down and succeeding in school puts an average of £140,000 in a young person’s back pocket, new in-depth analysis of the economic benefit of education involving more than 400,000 people reveals.

It shows achieving 5 A* to C GCSE grades, including the vital English and maths subjects, adds £80,000 to a student’s earnings over their lifetime. A further £60,000 is added to their wages if they go on to achieve at least 2 A levels, highlighting the economic value of the increased knowledge, confidence and employability that arises from success in school.

Backed by the Institute for Fiscal Studies, the Department for Education research stresses the vital role of the government’s plan for education to the economy, which has put more than a million more pupils in ‘good’ or ‘outstanding’ schools than in 2010.

The research involved in-depth economic analysis of more than 400,000 people with different levels of qualifications. The data is from the Labour Force Survey from 2006 to 2013, it includes:

• more than 6,000 individuals with 5 A* to C GCSE grades, including English and maths, as their highest qualification


• more than 6,000 individuals with A levels as their highest qualifications

The Institute of Fiscal Studies advised on the methodology used in the analysis and has given full quality assurance to its implementation.

Education Secretary Nicky Morgan said:

We know schooling benefits young people by expanding their knowledge, opening their minds and helping them to fulfil their vast potential. Today’s news shows that doing well in school also benefits their earnings by putting on average an extra £140,000 in their back pockets, and highlighting the central role education plays in our long-term economic plan.

Our plan for education is working – there are now a million more children in good or outstanding schools. And we have presided over a 60% increase in the proportion of young people studying core academic GCSEs - the qualifications that these figures show open doors to future success and employment.

But we won’t stop here - our plan is determined to raise standards further, help teachers to push our young people to do even better and ensure even more fulfil their potential.

This government’s plan for education includes:

• increasing the quality and value of qualifications by raising standards and toughening up exams


• intervening in more than 1,000 failing schools, pairing them up with excellent sponsor groups with track records of turning around schools


• approving an unprecedented number of new schools - more than 400 - amounting to upwards of 200,000 new school places


• toughening up on behaviour and attendance, allowing teachers to focus on teaching


• investing billions in helping our most disadvantaged pupils succeed through the pupil premium


• increasing teaching standards by helping the most talented people to enter the profession - resulting in the highest number of teachers on record

Further analysis also found that the increased number of pupils getting good GCSE grades since 2010 will add more than £1.3 billion to the country’s economy - showing that education reforms are also a significant part of the government’s long-term economic plan.

The research analysed extensive GCSE results from 2010 to 2013, during which the proportion of pupils leaving school with 5 A* to C GCSEs, including English and maths, rose from 44.1% to 47.8%.

This increase is equivalent to 21,600 more pupils fulfilling their potential, representing a long-term boost of £1.3 billion to the country’s economy.

Notes to editors

Read the research papers on GCSEs, A levels and apprenticeships and their economic value.

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Press release: UK and Mexico celebrate closer economic and academic ties during Mexico State Visit

• British carmakers Lotus and McLaren target Mexico for exports


• Hamley’s to open first store in Mexico


• new UK Export Finance $1 billion credit facility will also open up opportunities for UK exporters


• Mutual Recognition of Qualifications Treaty between the UK and Mexico to be signed

British luxury carmakers Lotus and McLaren are to open showrooms in Mexico City as part of a drive to increase sales in the country and wider region as the economy returns to growth. Iconic toy brand Hamley’s has also chosen Mexico as its first foray into Latin America, joining other well-known British brands like Thomas Pink and Hackett London.

The announcements come as the UK this week welcomes the President of Mexico, Enrique Peña Nieto, for a State Visit on 3 to 5 March as part of the 2015 Dual Year of the UK in Mexico and Mexico in the UK. This builds on the visit by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall to Mexico last November 2014.

Trade between the UK and Mexico is enjoying double-digit growth, with bilateral trade in 2013 at £3.3 billion, up by 15% compared to 2012. Mexico is the UK’s fourth largest market for goods exports, and the UK is Mexico’s fifth largest inward investor. This makes Mexico the UK’s second largest trading partner in Latin America, only behind Brazil.

Business Secretary Vince Cable said:

Mexico is an important growth market for our exports and British firms can also use Mexico as a base for wider operations throughout Latin America. Mexico is returning to the Formula One calendar this year which will fuel interest in McLaren and Lotus cars and British manufacturing more generally.

The arrival of British toy store Hamley’s in Mexico City, to complement their existing stores around the world, is another sign of the appeal of British brands across the globe, and demonstrates how an introduction by UKTI can lead to great things.

British exporters to Mexico will be further boosted by the memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed between UK Export Finance and PEMEX, Mexico’s state-run fuel conglomerate in respect of a line of credit of up to $1 billion. This finance is intended to be used by PEMEX and its subsidiaries to buy services from UK exporters, including SMEs.

Alongside the commercial announcements, the government also confirmed a Mutual Recognition of Qualifications Treaty between the UK and Mexico would be signed to support higher education collaboration and create opportunities for valuable research and innovation. Knowing that these overseas qualifications will be recognised domestically will make studying abroad more attractive and will lead to increased student and academic mobility between the two countries, and stronger high quality research. Mexico is the first country in Latin America to agree mutual recognition with the UK and can pave the way for further collaboration between the UK and other Latin American countries.

Universities, Science and Cities Minister Greg Clark said:

We want the UK to be the number one destination for science and research which is why we welcome the best and brightest brains from around the world. This treaty will allow us to work closely with Mexico to push boundaries together and deliver exciting, innovative projects and opportunities for both countries.

2015 has been designated The Year of the UK in Mexico and Mexico in the UK, and comprises an exciting programme of over 200 events throughout the year to celebrate the best of the arts and creative industries in both countries. These include the English National Ballet performing at the Palacio de Bellas Artes, and the London Philharmonic Orchestra performing in Mexico under the direction of renowned Mexican conductor Alondra de la Parra. The return of Formula One to Mexico in November 2015 will be preceded by events showcasing the UK’s expertise in motorsport and advanced engineering design.

Notes to Editors

1. From 2012 to 2013, bilateral trade between the UK and Mexico increased from £2.8 billion to £3.3 billion, an increase of 15%. Bilateral trade is the sum of imports and exports into each country (source: ONS Pink Book 2014).


2. Since 2010, UK goods exports to Mexico have increased by 39% to £1.16 billion (source: ONS Pink Book 2014). 3.Since 2010, UK services exports to Mexico have increased by 56% to £830 million (source: ONS Pink Book 2014).


3. During the State Visit, the Mexican President will give an address at the Houses of Parliament, attend a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace, and attend meetings with the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister.


4. To find out more about The Year of the UK in Mexico and Mexico in the UK events, please visit www.ukmexico.mx


5. In 2013, there were 108,000 visitors to the UK from Mexico, and they spent £62 million in the UK – an increase of 44%.

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