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03/12/2003
Straw outlines 10-year strategy on UK foreign policy
The UK's priorities for international policy over the next five to 10 years, contained in a Foreign Office White Paper, have been laid before Parliament.
The White Paper, entitled 'UK International Priorities: A Strategy for the FCO', describes how the Foreign Office intends to work, with others and through its network of over 200 diplomatic missions abroad. It provides a framework for to "focus work and build flexibility to respond to new threats and challenges, on behalf of the UK".
The Foreign Office Strategy has identified eight international strategic priorities, including: global terrorism and weapons of mass destruction; illegal immigration and drug trafficking; EU security; and promotion of UK economic interests in an "open and expanding global economy".
In a written statement to Parliament yesterday, Mr Straw said: "This is a time of significant change in international relations. Domestic and international policy are becoming ever more intertwined as a result of globalisation, travel and technological advance.
"As a consequence, what happens abroad is of more immediate concern to all of us. The FCO will need to work systematically with other government departments and with people outside government including Parliamentarians, businesses, Trade Unions, NGOs and the media."
Mr Straw said that "great progress" had been made since the end of the Cold War in achieving "stability and democracy in Europe". However, since 11 September 2001 "new problems and threats" had developed, which "affect the security and prosperity" of the UK and other countries. That message was most recently reinforced by the tragic events in Istanbul on 15 and 20 November 2003, he added.
"We shall need to build a wider, shared international understanding of how best to deal with these problems. They affect us all. We cannot afford to stand back from them. The UK must remain diplomatically active and engaged, and be able to exert global influence through diplomacy, advice, persuasion, aid and other economic assistance - and if necessary military force," he told the Commons.
(gmcg)
The White Paper, entitled 'UK International Priorities: A Strategy for the FCO', describes how the Foreign Office intends to work, with others and through its network of over 200 diplomatic missions abroad. It provides a framework for to "focus work and build flexibility to respond to new threats and challenges, on behalf of the UK".
The Foreign Office Strategy has identified eight international strategic priorities, including: global terrorism and weapons of mass destruction; illegal immigration and drug trafficking; EU security; and promotion of UK economic interests in an "open and expanding global economy".
In a written statement to Parliament yesterday, Mr Straw said: "This is a time of significant change in international relations. Domestic and international policy are becoming ever more intertwined as a result of globalisation, travel and technological advance.
"As a consequence, what happens abroad is of more immediate concern to all of us. The FCO will need to work systematically with other government departments and with people outside government including Parliamentarians, businesses, Trade Unions, NGOs and the media."
Mr Straw said that "great progress" had been made since the end of the Cold War in achieving "stability and democracy in Europe". However, since 11 September 2001 "new problems and threats" had developed, which "affect the security and prosperity" of the UK and other countries. That message was most recently reinforced by the tragic events in Istanbul on 15 and 20 November 2003, he added.
"We shall need to build a wider, shared international understanding of how best to deal with these problems. They affect us all. We cannot afford to stand back from them. The UK must remain diplomatically active and engaged, and be able to exert global influence through diplomacy, advice, persuasion, aid and other economic assistance - and if necessary military force," he told the Commons.
(gmcg)
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