Conservative Foreign & Commonwealth Council

Events

2012

MONDAY 22 MAY - High Commissioner for Bangladesh

MONDAY 23 APRIL - Ambassador of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan

MONDAY 26 MARCH - Ambassador of Nepal

MONDAY 27 FEBRUARY - Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan

MONDAY 16 JANUARY - High Commissioner for Sri Lanka

2011

MONDAY 5 DECEMBER - Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Susie Burbridge

]]> MONDAY 14 NOVEMBER - Ambassador of Macedonia

MONDAY 31 OCTOBER - The Rt Hon The Lord Hurd of Westwell CH CBE 'Britain's place in the World'

MONDAY 26 SEPTEMBER - Ambassador of Honduras

MONDAY 25 JULY - Ambassador of Paraguay

MONDAY 20 JUNE - Summer Diplomatic Party

WEDNESDAY 18 MAY - Ambassador of Sweden

WEDNESDAY 27 APRIL - Ambassador of Bulgaria

THURSDAY 17 MARCH - Ambassador of Georgia

MONDAY 28 FEBRUARY - Ambassador of Kuwait

MONDAY 24 JANUARY - Dinner with The Rt Hon The Lord Howe of Aberavon CH QC

2010

MONDAY 13 DECEMBER - Ambassador of Libya

MONDAY 15 NOVEMBER - High Commissioner for Pakistan

THURSDAY OCTOBER 21 - Ambassador of Finland

TUESDAY SEPTEMBER 28 - Ambassador of Austria

TUESDAY JULY 13 - Dinner with The Rt Hon Sir John Major KG CH

MONDAY JUNE 28 - Summer Diplomatic Party

MONDAY 24 MAY - High Commissioner for Canada

WEDNESDAY 21 APRIL - Ambassador of Switzerland at his residence

MONDAY 8 MARCH - Carl Thomson "Ukraine before and after the Orange Revolution"

MONDAY 8 FEBRUARY - High Commissioner for Belize

MONDAY 18 JANUARY - Ambassador of Afghanistan

2009

MONDAY 7 DECEMBER - Ambassador for the Republic of Albania

MONDAY 16 NOVEMBER - Shadow International Development Secretary

TUESDAY 13 OCTOBER - New Zealand High Commissioner, House of Commons

MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER - Malta High Commissioner, House of Commons LUNCHTIME talk

MONDAY 27 JULY - Annual Diplomatic Party by kind permission of CFCC Chairman Sir Ron Halstead, Kensington, London

MONDAY 15 JUNE - Dr Bola Odepidan, Public Service Delivery and Charity in Africa, Portcullis House, House of Commons

MONDAY 18 MAY - Dr Liam Fox, Shadow Defence Secretary, House of Commons

MONDAY 18 MAY - AGM prior to Speaker Meeting

MONDAY 20 APRIL - Philippa Broom, Director International Office & Westminster Foundation for Democracy Programme of The Conservative Party

MONDAY 9 MARCH - Ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany, House of Commons

MONDAY 23 FEBRUARY - Ambassador of the Republic of Latvia, meeting in Portcullis House, Houses of Parliament

MONDAY 26 JANUARY - Ambassador of Czech Republic, meeting in the House of Commons

2008

MONDAY 8 DECEMBER - Ambassador of Venezuela, meeting in the House of Commons

MONDAY 10 NOVEMBER - Garry Hindle, Head of Security and Counterterrorism at RUSI, 'Approaches to Terrorism Prevention' with focus on the UK’s counter-terrorism strategy, particularly the role of the PREVENT strand

MONDAY 20 OCTOBER - Dr Lamont C Colucci, American National Security

MONDAY 1 SEPTEMBER - Baroness Chalker of Wallasey, Africa Matters

MONDAY 28 JULY - Summer Diplomatic Party

MONDAY 30 JUNE - Mark Francois MP, Shadow Minister for Europe

MONDAY 19 MAY - Ambassador of Bulgaria

MONDAY 28 APRIL - Ambassador of the Republic of Uzbekistan

MONDAY 25 FEBRUARY, Ambassador of Portugal, House of Commons

MONDAY 21 JANUARY, Ambassador of Denmark, House of Commons

2007

MONDAY 3 DECEMBER, Timothy Kirkhope MEP, Leader of the Conservatives in the European Parliament, House of Commons, 7.00pm

MONDAY 5 NOVEMBER, Ambassador of Mongolia, House of Commons, 6.45pm

MONDAY 22 OCTOBER, Talk on Korea, House of Commons, 6.30pm

MONDAY 23 JULY, Annual Diplomatic Summer Party

MONDAY 18 JUNE, Acting Commissioner for Bangladesh, Meeting in the Houses of Parliament

MONDAY 30 APRIL, Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Meeting in the House of Commons

MONDAY 26 MARCH, Dr Arjan Gjonça, (LSE) - Foreign relations of Albania

MONDAY 26 FEBRUARY, James Sherr (Lincoln College, Oxford) – Russia: What is wrong? What lies ahead?

MONDAY 29 JANUARY, Gerald Howarth MP, Shadow Defence Minister, to talk on The role of Military Diplomacy, meeting in the House of Commons

2006

Monday 27th November, 6.30 - 8.30pm, Dr John Swenson-Wright, Lecturer in Modern Japanese Studies - University of Cambridge, to talk on North and South Korea, meeting in the House of Commons

Monday 30th October, 6.30 - 8.30pm, Ambassador of Colombia, meeting in the House of Commons

Monday 25th September, 12.30 - 2.30pm, High Commissioner for Mauritius - HE Abhimanu Mahendra Kundasamy - meeting in the House of Commons

Monday 24th July, 6.45 - 8.45pm, Annual Diplomatic Party

Monday 12th June, 6.30pm, Ms Frances Adamson, Deputy Australian High Commissioner to the UK

Monday 8th May, 6.30pm, Mark Tokola - Minister Counselor for Economic Affairs, US Embassy

Monday 27th March, 6.00pm, Ambassador of Israel

Monday 27th February, 6.30pm, John Bowis OBE MEP, London Member

Monday 9th January, 12.30pm, Ambassador of France - House of Commons

2005

Monday 14th November, 6.45pm, Dr Julian Lewis MP, Shadow Defence Minister

Monday 17th October, [AGM at 6.00pm] 6.30pm - Brazilian Ambassador - House of Commons

Monday 26th September, 12.15 for 12.30pm - Italian Ambassador - House of Commons - note LUNCHTIME

Monday 11th July - Annual Diplomatic Garden Party, by kind permission of the Chairman, in Kensington

Monday 20th June - Japanese Ambassador - House of Commons

Monday 14th March - Private Meeting - Zimbabwe - House of Commons

Tuesday 1st February - Ambassador of the League of Arab States - House of Commons

2004

Tuesday 23rd November - Republicans Abroad (UK) Chairman, Timothy Spangler

Tuesday 19th October - Sudanese Ambassador

Tuesday 7th September - London Region MEP, Dr Charles Tannock MEP and Shadow Minister for the Environment, Bill Wiggin MP "Future of Europe"

Tuesday 18th May - Polish Ambassador

Tuesday 27th April - Hugarian Ambassador

Tuesday 23rd March - Hon Nicholas Soames, Shadow Defence

Tuesday 20th January - Egyptian Ambassador

2003

Wednesday 10th December - Algerian Ambassador

Thursday 30th October - Turkish Ambassador

Membership

CONSERVATIVE FOREIGN & COMMONWEALTH COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP IS SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY THE COMMITTEE

Chairman: Sir Ronald Halstead CBE
Deputy Chairman: Jo Johnson MP
Vice Chairmen: Peter Friedmann, Ian Raitt, Sir Michael Craig Cooper CBE TD DL
Hon Secretary: Melissa Crawshay-Williams
Hon Treasurer: Yolande Pascoe

Patrons: The Rt Hon William Hague MP : The Rt Hon Sir John Major KG, CH : The Rt Hon The Lord Howe of Aberavon QC : The Rt Hon The Baroness Chalker of Wallasey : The Hon The Lord Hurd of Westwell CH, CBE
President : The Rt Hon Sir Malcolm Rifkind KCMG QC MP
Vice President : Sir Colin Turner CBE DFC: Mrs Beryl Pendley

]]> 2012 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION

The 2012 Conservative Foreign & Commonwealth Council (CFCC) Annual Subscription of £20 was due on 1st January 2012.
If you wish to renew your subscription please complete and return the form below with your cheque.
Thanking you in advance for your support.
Please note that where a subscription is not paid by 1st April membership shall cease.
The National Rules require all members of affiliated bodies to be paid up members of a Conservative Constituency association and accordingly a declaration is required with each application or renewal.
If you are not a member of the Party you may join as an Affiliated member not related to the Party.
By detaching and signing the form below it is agreed that the information therein can be held on a database to include Conservative Central Office.
Please post the application form (below) to: CFCC Membership Secretary, 3 Lodge Road, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1JA.
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The CFCC is proud to continue its affiliated status with the Conservative Party

During the last year we took part in an audit of groups affiliated to the Conservative Party. On 22 September 2011 we had a letter from Lord Feldman of Elstree and Rt Hon Baroness Warsi, Co-Chairmen of the Conservative Party. They were delighted to inform us that the Conservative Party Board had decided that the CFCC would continue its relationship with the Conservative Party as an acknowledged ‘other body’ as outlined in the Conservative Constitution. They added: “The Party enormously appreciates everyone who campaigns for the Conservative Party and we are grateful for all the hard work you and your organisation have put in”.

Bodleian Library choose CFCC website for their archives

STOP PRESS

Our website has been identified by the Bodleian Libraries curators' staff as being of lasting research value and worthy of preservation for the benefit of historians and researchers. They have invited us to participate in their web archiving programme by allowing them to archive our website which records our monthly meetings with Ambassadors and High Commissioners. This is of historical value and we were pleased to agree to the Bodleian request.

For more information about the Bodleian Library click here

Putin's Russia by CFCC President, Rt Hon Sir Malcolm Rifkind KCMG QC MP

Putin’s Cold War politics will fail Russia
The new president’s lack of friends – and imagination – will cost his country dear.
By Malcolm Rifkind

This article appeared in the Daily Telegraph on 06.03.2012

]]>
At the end of the Cold War, the West would have been delighted to know that 20 years hence the Communist Party would again be rejected by the people of Russia, with the non-Communist candidate winning 63 per cent of the vote. But that was at a time when Russia was a young, struggling democracy and it was far from certain that the Communists would never return to power. Today, things are very different.
Vladimir Putin’s victory is, for the West, not entirely disagreeable. Rather, like the curate’s egg, it is good in parts. It guarantees that for the next six years Russia will be stable and fairly predictable.
It will have, as its president, a leader who is tough and cool. He will conduct a foreign policy with which we are already familiar. It will be nationalist, but not dangerous or irrational on the supreme questions of peace and war. When you are dealing with a state that still has thousands of nuclear warheads, having Putin in the Kremlin should not cause us to lose too much sleep.
But there is no getting away from the fact that he has blocked Russia’s embrace of pluralist democracy and the emergence of serious, organised political alternatives to his rule. The fact that the only opponents permitted to stand in the election were the Communists and an unelectable oligarch illustrates his commitment to the façade but not the substance of democratic politics.
Will Putin be any different in his third term? He has shown some flexibility in his response to the mass protests that erupted throughout Russia in response to the deal he did with Medvedev that the two of them would simply switch jobs. Many Russians felt humiliated at being taken for granted by their political leaders.
The police and security forces have been cautious in dealing with the mass demonstrations against him. He has announced that Russia will revert to the direct election of provincial governors, which he had abolished and which is a major concession towards pluralism.
Even when Putin bends, however, he does so in a cackhanded way. Yesterday it was announced that there is to be a review of the conviction and imprisonment of Mikhail Khodorkovsky, the oligarch who has languished in a Siberian prison since a blatant, politically motivated trial. I was not surprised by this. I was forewarned of it by a former Russian prime minister who I met in London several weeks ago, and who said it would lead to Khodorkovsky’s release. But to announce it within hours of Putin’s triumphant re-election was amateurish in the extreme. Khodorkovsky’s imprisonment has always been political, despite the denials of the Kremlin. Despite the review being most welcome, its timing only demonstrates the fact.
What of Russia’s foreign policy in Putin’s third term? It is difficult to see any serious convergence with the West on either Syria or Iran. From any logical point of view, its current obstructionism at the UN is leading Russia down a cul de sac and doing untold damage to Moscow’s relations with the Arab world. Although the Assad regime has been a close ally for years, Moscow knows as well as the rest of the world that its days are numbered. Instead of pressing the case for a peaceful change in Damascus, Russia has blocked pressure and has antagonised many Arab countries, among whom its reputation is lower than for many years.
Likewise, on any logical basis, Russia should be as alarmed as the West about an Iran with nuclear weapons. Iran is near to its southern borders and Russia has a smouldering insurgency in nearby Muslim Chechnya. The more there is nuclear proliferation, the greater the likelihood of fissile material getting into the hands of Islamic terrorists.
Putin’s main problem is that he is a Russian nationalist with little imagination. These are qualities eminently suitable for the KGB officer he once was, but of little value in international relations. He appears to see foreign policy as a zero sum game and that whatever might be desired by the United States should be resisted by Russia if his country is to be respected by the world as a serious power.
That might have made sense during the Cold War. However, in the multi-polar world in which we now live, with a rising China and a confident Asia, the key to global influence for Russia, as for the United States and Europe, will be economic success and not geopolitical posturing.
Russia today does not have an impressive economy, except in energy. In the 19th century, Tsar Alexander II remarked that Russia’s only friends were its army and navy. Today, they are oil and gas. Putin’s real challenge is to create a Russia with a pluralist political system and a successful, modern, market economy. But if he does either, I shall eat my fur hat.

Sir Malcolm Rifkind is MP for Kensington and a former foreign secretary

Contact

Conservative Foreign & Commonwealth Council
CFCC, 3 Lodge Road, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1JA

Treasurer: Yolande Pascoe ypascoe1 AT btinternet DOT com
tel: 0207 244 6757

Webmaster:

melissacw AT hotmail DOT co DOT uk
tel: 0791 787 4770
[above written to stop spambot use - replace AT with @ and DOT with .]

Officers

Chairman: Sir Ronald Halstead CBE 020 7603 9010
Deputy Chairman: Jo Johnson MP 020 7219 3000

Vice Chairmen: Peter Friedmann 07930 668 535
Ian Raitt 01273 842 030
Sir Michael Craig Cooper CBE TD DL

Hon Secretary: Mrs Melissa Crawshay-Williams

Hon Treasurer: Mrs Yolande Pascoe

Patrons

The Rt. Hon William Hague MP
The Rt. Hon Sir John Major KG, CH
The Rt. Hon The Lord Howe of Aberavon QC
The Rt. Hon The Baroness Chalker of Wallasey
The Hon The Lord Hurd of Westwell CH CBE

President: The Rt. Hon Sir Malcolm Rifkind KCMG QC MP

Vice President: Sir Colin Turner CBE DFC
Mrs Beryl Pendley

Ambassador of the Republic of Azerbaijan, 27.02.12

HE MR. FAKHRADDIN GURBANOV
AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF AZERBAIJAN

Ambassador’s Speech on Foreign Relations of Azerbaijan
Conservative Foreign and Commonwealth Council

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Thank you very much for taking time to join us today and also for a very kind invitation from CFCC. I am honoured to have the opportunity to deliver this speech today.

I will try to be as brief as possible and will focus on the foreign relations of the Republic of Azerbaijan. This is obviously a much broader topic and I can talk about it for hours. However my speech will mainly concentrate on how we will conduct in the months ahead.

You might be aware that Azerbaijan was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council last year. This is a great achievement for a small country like Azerbaijan with a total 20 years of independence. It would not be an exaggeration if I say that this is the most important foreign policy achievement for my country.

]]> UN Security Council and Eurovision Song Contest

What makes this victory more special is that we achieved it in a competition with two EU members Slovenia and Hungary. But this also puts a great deal of responsibility on our shoulders.

We are determined to make our contribution to the preservation of global peace and security and raise issues of importance for all members of the international community. Indeed we are going through historic moments as evidenced by what is happening in the Middle East politically and security-wise but also what has been happening in Europe economy-wise. At this tumultuous time I think more than ever there is a need for the global community to ensure that peace and security is maintained and a degree of prosperity is achieved for the people all around the globe.

This year Azerbaijan is also hosting an important European cultural event, Eurovision Song Contest. We take great pride in the fact that a country which was part of the Soviet Union until 20 years ago and regained its independence in 1991, has won Eurovision Song Contest in Germany last year. This is indeed a huge achievement for Azerbaijani culture but also a great opportunity to join European family of nations culturally. Baku, the capital city of Azerbaijan, is now getting ready with preparations and arrangements to welcome all Europeans to the country to celebrate this huge music festival.

So this year is monumental for Azerbaijan as it has now a seat in the highest security body in the world and is also a host of an important cultural European event, Eurovision Song Contest.

Euro-Atlantic, Energy and UK-Azerbaijan Bilateral Relations

One of the main priorities for our foreign policy is integration with Euro-Atlantic structures. We have come a long way in that regard as Azerbaijan is now a member of the Council of Europe, OSCE, NATO Peace for Partnership program and is cooperating with the European Union within the framework of Eastern Partnership program. It has also developed a fruitful cooperation with individual European countries such as the United Kingdom, in a wide range of areas of economy, energy cooperation, culture, education and people to people ties.

My country has recently increased its weight in the energy security and supplies to Europe through the implementation of region-wide projects such as BTC and BTE oil and gas pipelines respectively. BTC oil pipeline has now turned into a wider regional line which was recently joined by Kazakhstan and now transports oil resources via the Caspian Sea to the line. The combination of vast energy resources with a strategically crucial location has put the country at the heart of new European energy projects for the years to come.

Among the countries importing natural gas from Azerbaijan are Turkey, Georgia, Russia, Greece, Italy, and Bulgaria. New plans are being considered to establish a transporting system for LNG facilities from Georgian port through Black Sea towards both Bulgaria and Romania in future. We are determined to play our part in energy security of Europe and obviously try all we can so that this pipeline could bring benefits to the European energy security for the foreseeable future.

Azerbaijan-United Kingdom Bilateral Relations

Today Azerbaijan and United Kingdom enjoy increasingly diverse and dynamic relations. In fact this year we are celebrating the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our tow countries. Our priority areas for cooperation include energy, security, non-oil sectors such as financial services, IT, consultancy but also extends towards cultural interaction and education. UK has strongly supported regional energy projects in our region. British companies have been at the forefront of foreign companies which have established operations in Azerbaijan. Today there are more than 170 UK companies and 5000 British expatriates working in my country. On the other hand the UK is the biggest investor in Azerbaijan with around half of all foreign direct investments coming from the UK. The two countries are also cooperating well in the field of international security within European and international organizations. The bilateral ties are not only restrained with a certain sphere they rather involve cultural and educational links which are undoubtedly crucial to move ties towards new areas of cooperation.

The British universities attract hundreds of Azerbaijani students each year and indeed according to the Ministry of Education of Azerbaijan, UK is the third most preferred country for young Azerbaijanis. Last year the number of our students coming to the UK for education with Government scholarship was around 150. This obviously excludes those who study in the UK with their own financial resources and through UK scholarships.

This is not of course one-way flow of people or expertise. Azerbaijani organizations have strengthened their presence in UK which has hugely contributed to raise profile of the country and increased interaction between the people. Among the leading organizations based here in UK are Azerbaijan House, Anglo-Azerbaijani Society, The European Azerbaijan Society, Britain-Azerbaijan Business Council and many student societies at British universities.

Nagorno Karabakh conflict

I think I now need to touch upon the challenges facing Azerbaijan in the realm of foreign policy. The biggest challenge facing the country is the unresolved conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. Despite 18 years of diplomatic negotiations within the OSCE Minks Group the conflict over Nagorno Karabakh between Armenia and Azerbaijan remains unresolved. As a result of the occupation of Nagorno Karabakh and surrounding seven regions of Azerbaijan 20% of Azerbaijani territories is under occupation and around 1 million IDPs and refugees have been re-settled al across the country.

We all acknowledge that the situation is volatile and can get out of control anytime despite a ceasefire in force and this is not a threat to the regional security but also a potentially dangerous conflict for the whole Europe. Azerbaijan has been and remains committed to the peaceful resolution of the conflict in the interests of regional peace and prosperity. We take this position despite the fact of the occupation of Azerbaijani territories and sufferings of our people as a result of the conflict.

But let me be frank and open. The negotiations can not go on endlessly. There has to be a mutually acceptable solution to the conflict and that should be within the principle of restoration of the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. Otherwise a full-fledged regional cooperation in the South Caucasus would be unimaginable.

Should we succeed to resolve this conflict of course a window of opportunity will open up for an increased regional integration and this will also boost region’s integration with Europe.

I think I will stop here and would be delighted to answer your questions. Thank you very much again for your attention and I hope you enjoyed it.

High Commissioner for Sri Lanka, 16.01.12

HE Dr.Chris Nonis High Commissioner for Sri Lanka to the UK spoke eloquently about the foreign relations of his country.

H.E. Dr. Chris Nonis
Bsc.(Hons.) (London), MBBS (London), MRCP (UK)

Dr. Chris Nonis qualified in London, with a First Class Honours BSc from Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine, having schooled at St Paul’s School, London. He obtained his MBBS from the Royal Free Hospital Medical School, University of London, having spent his electives at Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA. He carried out his postgraduate training at Royal Brompton, Hammersmith, and Addenbrooke’s, Cambridge . He is a member of the Royal College of Physicians, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Medicine.

He has been actively involved in Commonwealth and International affairs, and is Deputy-Chairman of the Royal Commonwealth Society, London; Board Member of the Ramphal Centre for Commonwealth Policy Studies, UK; Board Member of the Commonwealth Business Council, UK; and sits on the International Advisory Council of Asia House.
He is Chairman of the Mackwoods Group of Companies, a diversified Conglomerate established in 1841, with interests in Healthcare, Plantations, Import/Export Trading, ICT Education and Software Development, Hotels and Leisure, and Financial Services. He also chairs the Mackwoods Research Foundation, established to stimulate scientific research and innovative thought; and the Mendis-Mackwoods Charity Fund for rural upliftment and poverty alleviation.

He has also previously served on the Advisory Committee on Peace & Reconciliation of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce; as Director of Ceylon Hotels Corporation PLC; as Director of Sri Lankan Airlines Ltd; the Grants Board of the ICT agency of Sri Lanka; the Council of the Employers’ Federation of Ceylon ; the Country Coordinating Mechanism for Sri Lanka of the Global Fund; Vice-President of the Sri Lanka Malaysia Business Council; Committee of the Sri Lanka-China Business Council; Committee of the Sri Lanka-Middle East and Africa Business Council; President of the India Life Sciences Institute – Sri Lanka Committee; Director of the Export Development Board of Sri Lanka, and Director of the National Enterprise Development Authority.
He commenced his tenure as the Sri Lankan High Commissioner for the UK in September 2011.

]]> Summary points in his lecture:

His main priorities as High Commissioner in the UK is to promote a better picture of Sri Lanka.

There has been a negative image portrayed of Sri Lanka which does not give a true picture of the positive things that are going on. He says:

“After 28 years of conflict, under the leadership of President Mahinda Rajapaksa we have finally achieved peace, so we now have a historic opportunity to make that transition from a developing to a developed nation. The success of this transition depends greatly on international relationships. We have a great reservoir of goodwill in Britain, so we need to replenish that, strengthening the UK-Sri Lanka relationship and leveraging our commonalities, cultural traditions and common heritage. Post conflict there has been a reconciliation, rehabilitation and reconstruction programme: 300,000 people have been saved and rehoused. Children as young as 12 used to be conscripted to the army; it is now a wonderful thing that children are now free.”

Sri Lanka is working hard to develop a pluralistic and inclusive society and plans to attract UK investment to Sri Lanka and organise visits for British investors to see the “very real progress that is taking place, and the progress in achieving an equitable growth”.

The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Susie Burbridge, 05.12.11

The Lord Mayor of Westminster – Councillor Susie Burbridge was elected to Westminster City Council in May 1998 and represents the Lancaster Gate Ward.

Born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, Susie studied and worked in the travel industry. She moved to London in 1970 leaving behind four sisters and two brothers. Married and divorced with two grown-up children – James and Charlotte, whom she has chosen as her joint Consorts for the year – she took an interest in her husband’s retail business and restaurant as well as spending a period teaching children tennis. She worked in Parliament for many years and during this period started a cross party initiative getting more women into Politics. She organised the first plaque dedicated to a woman in the House of Commons, to Marjorie Hume, a suffragette in the long battle to get women the vote.
Councillor Burbridge has served on a diverse number of Committees, Boards and Panels, as Chairman of Leisure and Community Services and in several Deputy Cabinet Member positions and as a school governor. Her recent roles have included Deputy Cabinet Member for Housing, Member of the Board of CityWest Homes, Member of the Adoption Panel, Member of the Built Environment, and the City Management Committees and a member of a planning committee. She was also as a Member of Pan London Health for Trauma and Stroke and of the Patient and Public Involvement Forum for St Mary’s Hospital. Her political role and community work takes up most of her time.

]]> Amongst those things Susie cares about and enjoys are family; fairness; justice; quality of life; putting the Great back into Britain; opportunities for all young people; animal welfare; sports; women’s issues; and travelling – especially to Africa. She would love to find time to play bridge and learn another language. Susie also welcomes ‘a challenge’.

Summary points on her talk:

The Lord Mayor was involved politically working for Teresa Gorman MP and learnt about being controversial; she feels everybody should give their opinions as to what they think is right. She worked in parliament for eight years.

She is particularly keen on promoting women’s issues around the world and involving women with leadership roles.

The Commonwealth is admirable, with its good pillars as foundation: of trust and agreement between countries, human rights concerns addressed, good governance, world peace, egalitarianism and free trade. However, she quoted the Dalai Lama: “There’s much in the window but nothing behind” and more had to be done. Particularly giving opportunities for young people: children are deprived of good parenting all too often, they should be taught to respect older people.

She is of the view that Africa needs trade (not aid); it is easier for a Department to write a cheque than do something constructive.

On the EU she felt many rules were broken and said it would be disastrous if the Euro failed.

She ended with a rallying cry to women: “Do not be dormant, there is a lot you can do! So battle through and get it sorted.”

Ambassador of Macedonia, 14.11.11

HE Ambassador Marija Efremova

Text of speech to the Council

Conservative Foreign and Commonwealth Council, House of Commons , 14 November 2011

Foreign relations and recent history of the Republic of Macedonia

Sir Ronald Halstead
Dear members of Conservative foreign and commonwealth council Ladies and Gentlemen,
Ladies and Gentlemen

Let me begin by thanking our host and the organizers for inviting me to give a talk this evening. It is a wonderful experience to join you at this beautiful venue at House of Commons. I am especially pleased to have been invited by Hon Secretary, Mrs. Melissa Crawshay-Williams to give a short speech about the foreign relation and recent history of my country. I consider this interest in my country as an honor to all the people of the Republic of Macedonia and therefore, I am greatly privileged by the opportunity to deliver this speech today.
……………………………..

In the last 17 years NATO and EU integration have been a major goal for the Republic of Macedonia. Euro-Atlantic integration has become our top foreign policy priority. The Republic of Macedonia applied for membership in the European Union in 2004 and obtained candidate status in December 2005, during the British presidency with the European Union. Since then the country has attained significant results in the implementation of the European reform agenda and is awaiting the initiation of the negotiations with the European Union.

Since 2009 European Commission has been recommending to the Council of the European Union that negotiations should be opened.

In 2009 and 2010 the decision making process in the Council was postponed from one Presidency to the next due to a consideration that a mutually acceptable solution to the name dispute with Greece is imminent.

We are expecting decision of European Council in December 2011 to open accession negotiations. The Council decision to open accession talks could set screening exercise as an indicative timeframe for reaching a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue with Greece.

]]> Delaying further the decision making process with the Council on the start of the accession talks with Macedonia will not help the efforts to resolve the name dispute.

Setting an indicative timeframe for reaching a mutually acceptable solution in the context of a Council decision on launching the accession negotiations while pursuing the screening process, could inspire positive developments.

Moreover, such a decision would positively influence the reform dynamics and the inter-ethnic cohesion in Macedonia, as well as the overall regional stability.

To arrive without any further delay to a mutually acceptable solution that will not harm the national, linguistic and cultural self-identification of neither the Macedonian nor the Greek people, requires that both sides proactively and constructively contribute to the name talks. The Greek side, being full occupied with managing the consequences of the debt crisis, does not do so.

Respecting national identities and cultural, religious and linguistic diversity is at the core of the European project. These core values of European integration need to be upheld and fostered to and from EU institutions, member states and enlargement countries alike.

While understanding the difficult time that Greece endures, the cost of the Greek inactivity and defocus from the name talks is solely paid by Macedonia, and at a very high price.

The history of the enlargement process is full of evidence that the EU has offered its assistance in the search for solutions to open bilateral issues between member states and candidate countries by providing adequate political stimulus to do so throughout the accession negotiations process. We have seen good examples of this kind in our region. Slovenia and Croatia had set a positive model by reaching s mutually acceptable agreement and linking its enforcement with the attainment of the EU membership.

We ask EU member states, in particular Greece as the oldest member state in our region and a declared friend of enlargement, to support the decision for starting accession talks with Macedonia and thus positively influence the reform dynamics and the inter-ethnic cohesion in country, as well as the overall regional stability.

Regarding membership in NATO, the Republic of Macedonia has fulfilled all the necessary criteria and has implemented the required reforms. In addition, Macedonian military forces have participated and continue to participate in the NATO-led operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. For these reasons, it was expected that the country will receive an invitation for full membership, together with Croatia and Albania, during the NATO Bucharest Summit in April 2008. However, despite the recognition of our progress and our dedication to the activities and values of NATO, the Republic of Macedonia was not invited to become a member country. Due to the opposition from Greece, the Alliance decided to send the invitation after the name dispute has been resolved. To this end, talks on the name issue continue to be conducted under the auspices of the United Nations. The admission of the Republic of Macedonia into NATO is extremely important, since it would guarantee long-term stability and security not only for the Balkans, but also for the whole South-Eastern European region.

Having in consideration all of that, this year is expected to be another historical year for the Republic of Macedonia, a year when we hope to fulfil our foreign-policy priorities, including NATO membership, commencement of the negotiations for full-fledged membership in the European Union and resolution of the issue of the name difference imposed by our southern neighbour.

In addition, despite the current economic crisis, Macedonia has a economic growth and we hope to attract more foreign investments, which is one of the priority goals of the present Macedonian government. The country has a lot to offer.

Our Patron, Rt Hon Lord Hurd of Westwell CH CBE, 31.10.11

RT HON LORD HURD OF WESTWELL CH CBE
delivered a speech on the theme “BRITAIN’S PLACE IN THE WORLD”
at a Dinner and Book Signing evening in London SW3.

Lord Hurd, age 81 retired as Foreign Secretary in July 1995, after a distinguished career in Government spanning sixteen years. After positions as Minister of State in the Foreign Office and the Home Office, he served as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland from 1984-85, Home Secretary from 1985-89 and Foreign Secretary 1989–1995 in the Governments of Margaret Thatcher and John Major.

]]> Educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, Lord Hurd obtained a first class degree in history and was President of the Cambridge Union in 1952. After joining the Diplomatic Service, he went on to serve at the Foreign office in Peking, New York (UN) and Rome. He ran Edward Heath’s private office from 1968 - 70 and acted as his Political Secretary at 10 Downing Street from 1970 - 74. He was MP for Mid-Oxfordshire (later Witney) from 1974 to 1997. He was created a Life Peer in 1997.

He was appointed Deputy Chairman of NatWest Markets and a main Board director of NatWest Group in 1995, retiring from the Board in April 1999 and leaving the NatWest Group at the end of January 2000. In early 1998 he became Deputy Chairman of Coutts & Co. He was Chairman of the Advisory Committee of Hawkpoint Partners Limited from 1998 until 2001, and later until the end of 2010 a Senior Adviser to the Company. He is a President of the German-British Forum and in November 2000 he was also appointed Chairman of CEDR Advisory Council (The Centre for Dispute Resolution).

Lord Hurd was Chairman of the Prison Reform Trust Charity from 1998 until January 2001, becoming Honorary President in October 2001. He was Chairman of British Invisibles from 1997 until April 2000. He was Chairman of the 1998 Booker Prize for Fiction. He became a Member of the Royal Commission on the Reform of the House of Lords in February 1999, and a Member of the Appointments Commission from 2000 until 2010. In September 1999 he was appointed as the High Steward of Westminster Abbey. He was a President of the Royal Institute of International Affairs in September 2001.

Lord Hurd lives in Oxfordshire. He has three grown-up sons from his first marriage, and a son and daughter from his marriage to Judy Hurd, who died in November 2008. His other pursuits include writing, walking and reading. His latest books include The Search for Peace (with the 1997 BBC TV Series), The Shape of Ice (a novel, 1998), Ten Minutes to Turn the Devil (a collection of short stories, 1999), and Image in the Water (a novel, 2001). His memoirs were published in October 2003. His biography of Sir Robert Peel was published in June 2007, and he then completed with Edward Young a book on eleven British Foreign Secretaries with the title “Choose Your Weapons”, which was published in February 2010. He is working with Edward Young on a biography of Disraeli.

NOTES AND QUOTES OF HIS SPEECH

Lord Hurd described Churchill as fanning the blaze in favour of Western involvement: "Westward look, the land is bright". This relationship has been patterned with occasional tiffs. The Anglo-American partnership worked well, however.

There was the question of whether Saddam Hussein would have used chemical weapons against our nation. The Iraquis ended up scampering back and the war was won. American machinery was at work - working at its best - even though we had our squabbles. We are now the junior partner. David Cameron is leader of an allied Coalition and he reserved his fire for something that is crucial for Britain. The Americans used shrewd calculation with their interests in the world. We should be hard-headed in our relationship with them.

Europe: "I was Shadow something or other for Europe" said Lord Hurd. Margaret Thatcher would start her conversation with her own views and some diplomats would interrupt; however the Spaniards would flatter her. Europe is a mess because there is a failure in leadership - because we haven't joined the Euro. We pay a price for not joining - we are drifting out of Europe. We should pull out of a nosedive. It is not in our interests to have a desolate Europe unable to trade with us.

William Hague has brought a "bite of fresh air" to the Foreign Office.

He ended on a point about Russia; Putin's Russia. He is a cool cunning person trained to look ahead. You suck up to him at every stage, but he is a cool customer so you deal with him in this way - "you need to watch him".

Ambassador of Honduras, 26.09.11

Presentation by H.E. Ambassador Ivan Romero-Martinez to
the Conservative Foreign and Commonwealth Council
Portcullis House, London, 26 September 2011
Chairman, Sir Ronald Halstead,
Members of the Council,
Ladies and Gentlemen.

First of all, allow me to thank you for the kind invitation to
come today and give you a short presentation about the
Republic of Honduras.

As you are all aware there exist very strong commercial,
political and historical relationships between the United
Kingdom and Honduras. Please allow me to briefly give you
some general information on my country.

Honduras has everything it takes to drive and sustain a
strong tourism industry, and while some enterprising
investors are identifying these opportunities, the demand
will increase sharply very soon.

The Honduran government demonstrated its strong support
for the industry by enacting a tourism incentives law
eliminating income taxes and tariffs on new tourism
projects. Miles of virginal white-sand beaches, breath-taking
reef diving and snorkeling, renowned Mayan archaeology,
historic colonial cities, thriving indigenous cultures, and
tropical rain forests appeal to visitors looking for an unusual
experience in a virtually unexplored land. Investors looking
for tourism development opportunities in Central America’s
fastest growing tourist destination won’t have to look far.

Visitors interested in world-class diving and pristine
beaches can find it all only two hours away on Honduras’
Bay Islands. Each of the three islands, Roatan, Guanaja, and
Utila, has its own distinct character and appeal for tourism
hospitality development. The islands are one of the premier
diving and snorkeling locations on the globe, with easy
access to the mesoamerican reef, the second largest coral
reef in the world, and its amazingly diverse marine life.
Cultural explorers seeking a glimpse of the ancient world
will find a treasure trove in the ruins of Copan, located in far
western Honduras. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Copan is
one of the great Mayan city-states and is often referred to as
the Paris of the Mayan world.

]]> It boasts the largest collections of Mayan hieroglyphic
inscriptions and stone monuments and some of the finest
pre-Columbian archeology in the world.
Honduras’ abundant natural preserves enchant the world’s
most adventurous eco-and geo-tourists.La Mosquitia, a
region of mangrove swamps and tropical rainforests on
Honduras’ north coast, is home to the most diverse range of
indigenous groups in Central America. The Garifuna, Miskito,
Paya and Sumo Indians all call La Mosquitia home. White
water rafting, jungle hikes and stunning waterfalls are only a
few of the delights that await visitors to this remote region.
Nestled in the rainforest is another UNESCO World Heritage
site, Río Plátano Biosphere Reserve, which is being
considered for the New 7 Wonders of Nature designations.
The second largest national park in Honduras, Pico Bonito,
offers many attractions. In addition to tackling white water
kayaking and rafting, visitors can walk among the clouds in
the park’s cloud forest. Pico Bonito is also home to diverse
wildlife, offering hikers and photographers countless
opportunities to view a variety of animals including jaguars,
lapirs, pumas, and both white-faced and spider monkeys.
From Tilapia to Jalapeño Peppers and Oriental Vegetables,
the Climate in Honduras is Just Right for Agribusiness
Investment. The country’s year-round tropical growing range
of products -- milk and dairy products, fish and shrimp, a
wide variety of fruits and vegetables, sugar, cocoa, and
coffee. Agribusiness and related sectors represent 40
percent of the country’s GDP. Low cost of land, competitive
wage rates, accessibility to fresh fruits and vegetables and
100 percent of processed foods, availability of a highly
trained and skilled work force, government incentives, make
Honduras ripe with commercial agriculture opportunities.
Great investment potential has been identified in seafood,
fish, fruit and vegetables. Products traveling by sea make
the journey in just two days from Honduras’ deepwater port
of Puerto Cortes – the largest and best equipped port in
Central America with fast and efficient process, taking only
48 seconds per container.
Agribusinesses can look to one of the best agricultural
schools in the world, Zamorano, located just south of the
capitol city of Tegucigalpa, for a highly trained and
competitive workforce. Students travel from around the
Americas to study at Zamorano where they learn all aspects
of agricultural production, and more than 35 ministers of
agriculture have graduated from this highly regarded school.
In addition to the outstanding workforce, Zamorano also
provides research assistance to companies just setting
down roots in Honduras as well as to those already
established in the country. Agribusinesses that are thriving
in the Honduran market include Saint Peter Fish, Unilever,
Cargill, Mount Dora Farms and SAB-Miller.
From laser-guided measurements for custom clothing to
facilities that produce wiring harnesses for cars, Honduras
is in perfect position for light manufacturing. Manufacturers
and processors in Honduras can take advantage of the
country's deepwater port of Puerto Cortes.
As Central America's largest and best equipped port, it is
one of Honduras' most valuable resources. Located on the
Caribbean Sea, Puerto Cortes has earned the U.S.
government's Container Security Initiative (CSI) and
Megaport certifications. It is the only port in the Western
Hemisphere to have the Secure Freight Initiative (SFI),
meaning all containers passing through the port - 100
percent - are scanned by U.S. Customs officials in Honduras
and the United States.
Electricity rates in Honduras are among the most
competitive in the region, approximately 9 cents to 13 cents
per kw/hr for industrial and commercial use. Electricity and
privately generated thermal energy are abundant
nationwide, and the government is investing to increase
generating capacity. Manufacturing and textile production
companies starting up in Honduras can find highly trained
workers at the Instituto Politécnico Centroamericano (IPC).
This technical school in Honduras' second largest city, San
Pedro Sula, is recognized for the high caliber of its
graduates as well as its many resources for companies in
the country.
The school has worker training contracts with a number of
companies to ensure that workers are kept abreast of new
developments and technology in their fields. International
manufacturers in Honduras include Lear, FCI, Novem,
Delfingen Sofanou, VF Corporation, Unilever, Hanes, and
Gildan.
Newly Liberalized Telecommunications Network Places
Honduras' Service Sector in Perfect Position for Growth.
Service companies looking to set up operations in a country
with an energetic, young, educated, bilingual workforce
should set their sights on Honduras. The country boasts a
young population - nearly one-third between 18 and 35 years
of age - with a strong technical aptitude and access to the
largest number of bilingual schools in Central America.
English is the second most widely spoken language after
Spanish, and many people in the country are bilingual.
Approximately 97 percent of the bilingual population has a
general knowledge of information technology and
communication technology. Call centers, back office
operators and other service providers have a large pool of
potential employees from which to choose from.
Honduras has become Central America’s apparel production
center due to the many advantages it offers. Today, it is the
third largest worldwide clothing supplier to the U.S. market,
and number one in the region and the Caribbean. It has
further strengthened its position by implementing the Full
Package concept, whereby items are manufactured in their
entirety in the country, from the cloth, to the buttons, and
packaging under international brand names. Along these
lines, this sector offers business opportunities to efficient
suppliers, be they small or medium companies, that can
interact among themselves to produce great added-value.
Honduras is a member of the United Nations, the World
Trade Organization (WTO), the Organization of American
States (OAS), the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN),
the Central American Integration System (SICA), the
Conference of Central American Armed Forces (CFAC), and
the Central American Security Commission (CASC).
Honduras is also a signatory to the Rio Pact, and a member
of the Central American Defense Council (CONDECA). During
1995-96, Honduras--a founding member of the United
Nations--served as a nonpermanent member of the UN
Security Council for the first time. Honduras is a party to all
UN and OAS counterterrorism conventions and protocols.
Based here in the United Kingdom Honduras is an active
member of the International Coffee Organization, the
International Maritime Organization, the International Sugar
Organization, the International Grains Organization and
several others that together formulate policies to analyze
and improve global issues.
Honduras is a strong proponent of Central American
cooperation and integration, and is working toward the
implementation of a regional customs union and Central
American passport, which would ease border controls and
tariffs among Honduras, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and El
Salvador.
As many of you know, in May 2010 after long negotiations a
Partnership Agreement Central America – European Union
was signed during the Madrid Summit. This Partnership
Agreement enters into force in November 2011. This
agreement is based on four main objectives: 1) Strengthen
and consolidate the relations of mutual respect between the
Parts , 2) Developing a privileged political association based
on values, principles and common objectives , 3) Increasing
biregional cooperation to promote political and economic
development in both regions , and 4) Respecting and
promoting the agreed.
Under these four objectives we can highlight the following:
1. The creation of a free trade area by progressive
liberation of trade barriers to commerce
2. The strengthening and expansion of existing
cooperation
3. The fortification of social cohesion and regional
integration
On November 29, 2009, Hondurans elected Porfirio “Pepe”
Lobo as President in a previously scheduled free and fair
election that attracted broad voter participation. Lobo
received the largest number of votes for a presidential
candidate in Honduran history.
President Lobo was sworn in on January 27, 2010. After
assuming office, Lobo formed a government of national unity
and convened a truth commission, as set forth in the
Tegucigalpa-San Jose Accord. Zelaya returned to Honduras
on May 28, 2011, paving the way for the country’s return to
participation in the OAS on June 1, 2011.
Since taking office, the administration under President Lobo
Sosa has never stopped working in conjunction with the
international community to reestablish all diplomatic
relations with countries and strengthen Honduras’s position
in the global arena.
Just two days ago President Porfirio Lobo delivered his
intervention at the General Assembly of the United Nations.
It is my pleasure to inform this Council the following:
The United Nations is still the best venue for efforts to
further the well-being of humanity, adding that all peoples
had a right to their own territories and traditions.
In this context, Honduras has recognized Palestine as a
State and looks forward to a negotiated settlement of the
Middle East conflict on the basis of the two-State solution,
corresponding to the needs of the two peoples involved.
He recalled that Honduras has experienced its own
deterioration in human rights after the events of 2009,
President Lobo reaffirmed that his administration is focused
on consolidating peace on the basis of social justice and a
stronger democracy. He thanked the leaders of Colombia
and Venezuela for their help in ensuring the return of
Honduras to the Organization of American States, and said
that inclusive dialogue was now taking place to allow all
groups to participate in reforms for a better future.
The Secretariat of Justice and Human Rights has advised on
that process, and Honduras now has a national action plan
on human rights. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission
has completed its tasks and presented its recommendations
to ensure that the disruption of human rights would never be
repeated.
Regarding the global economic and financial crisis,
President Lobo has said that all sectors have been
consulted on the creation of a national plan for equitable
economic growth, salaries and productivity. Widespread
reform of the education system and the provision of equal
opportunities for all were also priorities.
In addition, a family help programme hoping to reach about
half of the country’s families by 2012, and a nutritionassistance
programme is also under way.
As for sustainable development, Honduras is currently
involved in shark-preservation program and had signed
instruments on reducing global warming and controlling
chemical products.
The President has expressed support for all measures to
preserve the global environment based on the Rio principles,
he has called on the United Nations to expand those
principles to better serve the needs of the world’s
populations, including indigenous peoples and those of
African descent, adding, in that regard, that Honduras has
ratified the International Convention on the Elimination of All
Forms of Racial Discrimination and celebrated the
international commemorations instituted for people of
African descent. He also has called for a decade dedicated
to indigenous peoples, and for a permanent forum for African
peoples within the United Nations.
One of the biggest challenges facing Central America is
insecurity due to drugs and organized crime. The economy
of Honduras has been seriously harmed and are posing a
serious threat to the population, society and development.
Much of this activity is related to drugs, and the subregion’s
countries are investing large sums in combating their
production and supply.
Dear members of the Council, it has been for me an honor to
update you on the situation of my country and before I open
for questions I kindly put forward an urgent and most
needed request.
It would be very beneficial to form a delegation of this house
and make an official visit to my Congress and have open
discussions on matters that in which Honduras and the
United Kingdom can work on together for the wellbeing of
our people.
Thank you.

CFCC Treasurer: Dennis Waters

CFCC Members are mourning the loss and coming to terms with the very sad news about our Treasurer, Dennis Waters.

Dennis – great friend, supporter, close to the heartbeat of the Conservative Party – has died of a heart attack.

Please send any CFCC correspondence to: CFCC Secretary, 3 Lodge Road, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1JA.

We have a lot to celebrate remembering the life and contribution of Dennis in his rich and varied life and a great deal to be grateful for in remembering him in our prayers.

Funeral details: Requiem Mass to take place at St Mary's Church, Cadogan Street SW3 2QR, Chelsea on Friday 9th September at 2pm. Followed by private cremation at Mortlake Crematorium, Richmond. All enquiries c/o Chelsea Funeral Directors, 260B Fulham Road, SW10 9EL. Tel: 020 7352 0008.