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

Summary

The main objectives of the Portuguese foreign policy are to promote and to protect our interests abroad, both at bilateral and multilateral level. To that end, the Portuguese diplomacy acts in the political, economic, cultural and defence fields, keeping a close contact with all the concerned departments of the Administration, as well as with the companies and the institutions that already pursue or intend to start to develop their activities in other countries. Special attention and support is also dedicated to the Portuguese communities living abroad, which, today, represent a total of 5 million people. Apart from these goals, we established priorities in our external relations that are very much determined by strategic, geographic and historic reasons.

Born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1945 Timothy was educated privately at the Royal Grammar School in the City and subsequently at the Law Society's College of Law at Guildford Surrey.

Chairman: Sir Ronald Halstead CBE
Deputy Chairman: Mrs Jacqui Lait MP
Vice Chairman: Peter Friedmann : Ian Raitt : Dr Charles Goodson-Wickes DL
Hon Secretary: Mrs Melissa Crawshay-Williams
Hon Treasurer: Dennis R Waters (020 7351 2842)

Patrons: The Rt Hon Sir John Major KG, CH : The Rt Hon The Lord Blaker KCMG : 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

Speech by Dalrain Davaasambuu, Mongolian Ambassador
House of Commons, Conservative Foreign and Commonwealth Council, London

November 5, 2007

Dear MPs
Ladies and Gentlemen:

It is my distinct honour and pleasure to address this esteemed audience and talk on about Mongolia’s foreign policy. First of all I am delighted to thank every body who came here today for their interest in Mongolia and would be happy to know your ideas and comments.

Foreign policy, international relations are very much an essential and integral part of small Mongolia and its people’s life. We are proud with the history of my country, last year we celebrated 800 years of Mongolian statehood, which goes back to the unification of the Mongolian tribes by Chinggis Khan. I would like to stress only two important International relations aspects of the Chinggis Khan‘s political heritage. One is Mongolian people’s identity as a nation. The Great Khan, together with the Buddhism in the Tibetan-Mongolian tradition and his achievements has been at the center of Mongolian national identity, especially in times when Mongolian has some challenges.

The second political heritage is diplomatic immunity, When Chinggis Khan sent his missionaries to the other countries he handed to them the 'golden gerge' (golden plate), with the following inscription: 'Credentials given by the Great Chinggis Khan. Bearer of these Credentials is entitled to an unhindered passage in the realms of the Great Khan, to whatever protection and support he may need along his way'.

Some international scholars say that the word 'ambassador' has originated from the Mongolian word 'amban said' which has the meaning close to 'governor'.

The 'Pax Mongolica' or 'Mongolian Peace' brought the first in –depth contacts between Europe and the Far East immortalized by monks like Wilhelm Rubruk and traders such as the Polo brothers.

All this is just to say that Diplomacy has a long tradition in Mongolia.
Now, let me give you a brief outline of Mongolian foreign policy today.
Features of Mongolian foreign policy:

The main goal of the Foreign Policy is to ensure the independence, security and prosperity of the country.

"It's easy to ridicule it and dismiss it. The Commonwealth doesn't have any strong structures. The thing it does have is values," said Lord Howe, 80.

Melissa Crawshay-Williams explains what the Conservative Foreign & Commonwealth Council does and believes in.

The purpose of the Conservative Foreign & Commonwealth Council is to promote greater understanding among different countries and cultures in a safe, just and prosperous world.

SPEECH BY HE Ashraf Uddin, Acting High Commissioner of Bangladesh to the UK at the Conservative Commonwealth and Foreign Affairs Council

Jubilee Room, House of Commons

18 June 2007, London

Honourable Chairman, Sir Ron Halstead
Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

I am truly honoured to be able to speak to the Conservative Foreign and Commonwealth Council here at the British Parliament. I am particularly delighted that I have the opportunity to apprise distinguished British legislatures about how Bangladesh as a country, and more significantly the current Caretaker Government of Dr. Fakhruddin Ahmed is advancing its foreign policy priorities and interests. May I take this opportunity to express my special thanks to Ms. Anne Main MP, for inviting me to speak to this distinguished group of conservatives and once again demonstrating her friendship for the people of Bangladesh.

Bangladesh Foreign Policy: Art 25(1) of Fundamental Principals of State Policy

The foundation of Bangladesh foreign relations lie in its foreign policy enunciated in article 25(1) of the fundamental principles of state policy of its Constitution. One of the prime influencing factors in the formulation of Bangladesh’s foreign policy has been its geo-strategic location as a bridge between the South Asia and South-east Asian regions. Bangladesh’s foreign policy is also influenced by its ancient history and ethos of being host to various faiths and cultures including one of the oldest Buddhist dynasties that flourished for 100s of centuries, followed by Hindu monarchies, Muslim Sultanates and the Mughal empire, won over by the British colonial rulers in the 18th century. Born 36 years ago in 1971 from the ashes of a 9 month long glorious War of Liberation to establish our democratic and economic rights, Bangladesh’s foreign policy is also influenced by values such as democracy, human rights, non-violence, opposition to imperialism, colonialism and racism.

HE Erlan A Edrissov
Ambassador of the Republic of Kazakhstan

A talk presented for the Conservative Foreign & Commonwealth Council in the House of Commons on the 26th of March 2007.

Macmillan Room,
Portcullis House,
Thames Embankment,
House of Commons

Dr. Arjan Gjonça
London School of Economics
Mailto: a.gjonca1@lse.ac.uk

i. A brief history of Albanian Foreign policy during Communism

An awareness of the past is an essential component of any understanding of the present and planning of the future. This is true in all areas even more in understanding the foreign policy of a country with a very difficult past. The Albanian foreign policy in the past decades is not just interesting to study because of its peculiarities, but also because it is eventful and very colourful compared to the present day predicted foreign policy. During the communist period until 1990, the Albanian policy has been driven by a self isolationist approach, due to the fear from the neighbouring countries as well as the other Powers being them from the West, or the former communist block. Immediately after the 2nd World War, Albania brought to an end the diplomatic relationship with both US and UK, despite being allies during the War against the nazi forces. This happened despite the humanitarian aid that Albania received during the aftermath of the War from US and UK. The discontinuation of the diplomatic relations with UK was initiated from the so-called Corfu channel incident. However, the relations worsen during the 1949-52 US-UK mission to over through the communist regime in Albania. The help Albania received from the former Soviet Union during this conflict did not also help the relations between Albania and the former communist block. Thus, in 1960-61 Albania became self isolated from the West and the East at the same time. The country’s political and economic most important ally became China, which supported Albania until late 1970s. After Mao’s death in 1978 Albania cut diplomatic relations with China, surprisely this time on ideological grounds. This is the time when a very isolationist approach follows and it is sanctioned in the 1976 constitution of the country. During this period, Albanian foreign policy can be characterised as a client relationship with the main powers.

James Sherr is a Fellow of the Conflict Studies Research Centre (CSRC), which is part of the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom. He is also Lecturer in International Relations at Lincoln College, Oxford and a member of the Social Studies Faculty of Oxford University. He has long served as a consultant to NATO on Ukraine. Between 1998-2000, he was a Specialist Adviser to the House of Commons Defence Committee and, between 1983-85, Director of Studies of the Royal United Services Institute for Defence Studies. He is the author of approximately 100 publications on Russia, Ukraine and European security.

Born in New York in 1951, Mr. Sherr holds British and US citizenship. He is the author of a number of articles and monographs on Soviet military doctrine and policy. He has also been engaged with wider policy discussions associated with NATO and EU enlargement, the Black Sea region and energy security. He lectures frequently at the Harvard JFK School’s Black Sea Security Programme and Russia Security Programme.

Mr Sherr explained that he is a civil servant and can speak and write without prior clearance. He defined spies as intelligence professionals.

Relations with Russia, he predicted, would get worse before they get better. Even though they are by no means good at the moment.

Nato enlargement - Russians think of it in adversarial terms and it is very difficult to discuss Ukraine calmly and rationally.

He believed that the West since 1991 has mishandled Russia. Russia is overwhelmingly state dominated and the country has defined itself as being different - as in pre world war times. 70% of the economy is in the hands of the state. The issue of energy is predominant and is what the army was to Russia.

Russia has an emphatically old-fashioned approach. Neighbouring central Asian countries are getting assertive and China is looming. Russia will be acquiring more markets and Putin will defer action on his future until the last moment; otherwise he would become a lame duck.

There is a feeling that "Western-style democracy is not for us". In Russia there has been some democracy and they believe that no democracy is not good but "the law will not get you far if you don't know the right people". There is a pervasive corruption and people make an effort to cultivate as many influential people as possible.

It was felt that Russia did not want Iran to have nuclear weapons.

Gerald was born in Guildford, Surrey, in 1947. He studied English at Southampton University. From 1971 until he first entered Parliament in 1983 Gerald worked as an international banker, for Bank of America Limited, European Arab Bank and then Standard Chartered Bank. He has been married to Elizabeth since 1973 and they have three children. Gerald was first elected to Parliament in 1983 for Cannock and Burntwood, Staffordshire, which he represented until 1992, the only Conservative ever to have served 2 terms for this coal-mining constituency. During this time, he held a number of posts, including Parliamentary Private Secretary to Margaret Thatcher. Gerald was re-elected to Parliament for Aldershot in 1997. Since then he has worked hard for his constituents and is a popular MP in this military and aviation minded constituency.

From 1997-2001 Gerald served on the Home Affairs Select Committee and was a member of the Executive of the 1922 Committee of Conservative MPs. From 2001-2003 he was Vice-Chairman of the Defence Select Committee and since 2002 he has been a Shadow Defence Minister reporting to the Hon Nicholas Soames MP, Shadow Defence Secretary, with responsibility for defence procurement, the Royal Air Force, and veterans affairs.

Gerald’s other posts include
• Chairman of the 92 Group of Conservative MPs
• Chairman of the Lords and Commons Family and Child Protection Group which campaigns on family values
• President, the Air Display Association Europe
• Vice President of the Rushmoor Odd Fellows Male Voice Choir
• President of 417 Sqn Aldershot Air Cadets
• Council Member, The Freedom Association

Defence Diplomacy = to provide forces to meet the varied activities undertaken by the MoD to dispel hostility, build and maintain trust and assist in the development of democratically accountable armed forces, thereby making a significant contribution to conflict prevention and resolution.