British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss met six Balkan foreign ministers in London on Monday to discuss strengthening economic and security ties, and supporting freedom and stability in the region.
Ms Truss held talks with counterparts from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Montenegro, North Macedonia and Serbia.
The UK is keen to persuade international allies to “protect hard-won peace” in a region where tension has grown increasingly fraught.
The discussions come after the chief international representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina, German diplomat Christian Schmidt, warned that the 1995 peace deal that stopped the country’s civil war could unravel.
Bosnian Serb separatist's threats have fuelled tension in the region and there have been concerns over Russian involvement.
Mr Schmidt has said the Balkan nation could break up if the international community does not curb threatened divisive actions by Bosnian Serb leader and presidency member Milorad Dodik, who has tacit support from Russia and Serbia.
The UK thinks now is a critical moment for the western Balkans and that it is important that the peace, freedom and democracy that was hard won more than 20 years ago is maintained.
“I recently hosted the G7 foreign ministers’ meeting in Liverpool where a discussion was held on the western Balkans and ministers welcomed the stepping up of the UK presence," Ms Truss said.
"I want the UK and our allies to build closer economic and security ties with the region, which will boosts jobs and growth and help support a freer, wealthier, more secure western Balkans.
“I also welcomed representatives from the EU and the US to these discussions and emphasised the need to work together on stepping up our efforts to find lasting solutions to reduce tensions in the region.
“As part of this effort, the UK has appointed Sir Stuart Peach as special envoy to the Western Balkans.
"He has long experience in the region, as former UK Chief of the Defence Staff and Chairman of Nato’s military committee, and will visit the region tomorrow to take forward our engagement.
“This is part of the FCDO’s mission to create a global network of liberty based around deeper economic, tech, security and development ties.
"As freedom-loving democracies, the UK will help the western Balkans defend and advance the cause of liberty. They have our full support to not only survive, but thrive."
The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office talked up Britain’s role in hosting the western Balkans Summit in 2018.
At the gathering three years ago, leaders of the six countries made commitments in joint declarations on regional co-operation and good neighbourly relations, war crimes, and missing persons in the territory of the former Yugoslavia.
MPs in a Commons debate this month said Britain must be prepared to send its troops back to Bosnia to save lives amid fears over a conflict erupting.
Conservative MP Bob Stewart, a former UN commander who led peacekeeping forces in Bosnia, stressed the need to prevent fighting between communities in the country.
Party colleague Sir Bernard Jenkin warned Russia was “stoking the ethnic tensions” and encouraging the separatists as the Kremlin wanted to worsen western Europe’s refugee crisis.
Citadel: Honey Bunny first episode
Directors: Raj & DK
Stars: Varun Dhawan, Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Kashvi Majmundar, Kay Kay Menon
Rating: 4/5
Learn more about Qasr Al Hosn
In 2013, The National's History Project went beyond the walls to see what life was like living in Abu Dhabi's fabled fort:
Quick facts on cancer
- Cancer is the second-leading cause of death worldwide, after cardiovascular diseases
- About one in five men and one in six women will develop cancer in their lifetime
- By 2040, global cancer cases are on track to reach 30 million
- 70 per cent of cancer deaths occur in low and middle-income countries
- This rate is expected to increase to 75 per cent by 2030
- At least one third of common cancers are preventable
- Genetic mutations play a role in 5 per cent to 10 per cent of cancers
- Up to 3.7 million lives could be saved annually by implementing the right health
strategies
- The total annual economic cost of cancer is $1.16 trillion
Brief scoreline:
Manchester United 1
Mata 11'
Chelsea 1
Alonso 43'
UK-EU trade at a glance
EU fishing vessels guaranteed access to UK waters for 12 years
Co-operation on security initiatives and procurement of defence products
Youth experience scheme to work, study or volunteer in UK and EU countries
Smoother border management with use of e-gates
Cutting red tape on import and export of food
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The%20pillars%20of%20the%20Dubai%20Metaverse%20Strategy
%3Cp%3EEncourage%20innovation%20in%20the%20metaverse%20field%20and%20boost%20economic%20contribution%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20outstanding%20talents%20through%20education%20and%20training%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20applications%20and%20the%20way%20they%20are%20used%20in%20Dubai's%20government%20institutions%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EAdopt%2C%20expand%20and%20promote%20secure%20platforms%20globally%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EDevelop%20the%20infrastructure%20and%20regulations%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Key recommendations
- Fewer criminals put behind bars and more to serve sentences in the community, with short sentences scrapped and many inmates released earlier.
- Greater use of curfews and exclusion zones to deliver tougher supervision than ever on criminals.
- Explore wider powers for judges to punish offenders by blocking them from attending football matches, banning them from driving or travelling abroad through an expansion of ‘ancillary orders’.
- More Intensive Supervision Courts to tackle the root causes of crime such as alcohol and drug abuse – forcing repeat offenders to take part in tough treatment programmes or face prison.
Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
Points to remember
- Debate the issue, don't attack the person
- Build the relationship and dialogue by seeking to find common ground
- Express passion for the issue but be aware of when you're losing control or when there's anger. If there is, pause and take some time out.
- Listen actively without interrupting
- Avoid assumptions, seek understanding, ask questions
Thor: Ragnarok
Dir: Taika Waititi
Starring: Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Cate Blanchett, Jeff Goldblum, Mark Ruffalo, Tessa Thompson
Four stars
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
MATCH INFO
Day 2 at Mount Maunganui
England 353
Stokes 91, Denly 74, Southee 4-88
New Zealand 144-4
Williamson 51, S Curran 2-28
