Category Archives: UK and its Leadership in Europe
U.S-European Armed-Forces deepening in Norwegian icy water in joint NATO Cold Response 16
March 2016© The UK Royal Navy
From February 19 until March 22, the NATO Allied encompassing 16,000 Military personnel are participating in one of the NATO’s largest Training Multinational Military Exercise to upgrade and intensify the Allied Capability of Combat Operation in the cold environment.
Commanding General National Joint Headquarters Norway, Lt. Gen. Rune Jakobsen, addresses a Multinational Panel on the Training aspects of the Exercise, Norway March 2016 ©The U.S. Army Europe/ Sgt. 1st Class Crista Mary Mack.
Cold Response 16 is held in the Trøndelag of Norway and the Participants are from the Armed-Forces of: Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Latvia, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Remarks by the Commanding General of the U.S Army Europe LTG Ben Hodges during an interview at Cold Response 16
March 4, 2016 Norway © The U.S Army Europe
Standing NATO Maritime Group-1 is positioned for ‘COLD RESPONSE 16’
Standing NATO Maritime Group-1 ( SNMG1) visited Trondheim Norway, as a routine visit to the North and Baltic Sea, before launching one of the biggest NATO Maritime Military Training- Exercise ‘COLD RESPONSE 16’, which will take off in early March. Most European States, with the U.S Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force are taking part in it.
The SNMG1 in Trondheim Norway, February 25, 2016 ©NATO Maritime Command
At the present time under the command of Rear Admiral José Enrique Delgado from Spanish Navy, the SNMG1 is combined of :
• The United Kingdom Royal Navy Frigate HMS IRON DUKE (F234)
• The Spanish Flagship F100 class Frigate ESPS ÁLVARO de BAZÁN (F101)
• The Spanish Combat Replenishment Ship ESPS CANTABRIA (A15)
• The Norwegian Coastal Corvettes Skjold-class HNoMs STORM (P961) and HNoMs STEIL (P963)
“SNMG1 just completed one more week of training off the Norwegian Coast, to make sure we are ready to provide NATO with a continuous presence and Maritime capability for Operations.” “I´m looking forward to increasing SNMG1 readiness and proficiency by our participation in exercise COLD RESPONSE 16 where our Task Group capabilities will be upgraded with the addition of Allied units from Denmark and France”. stated Rear Admiral Delgado. February 25, 2016 ©NATO Maritime Command
“This exercise provides a great opportunity for Allies to train together and better understand how we each operate and communicate,” “The increased understanding and cooperative efforts between our Countries enable us to work together effectively, while also addressing any and all Security challenges that may arise in the Region or other parts of the World.” emphasized Lt. Col. Dennis Cummings from the U.S Air Force. February 27, 2016 © U.S Air Force Europe
Standing NATO Maritime Group-1 is part of NATO’s Immediate Reaction Forces which operates to enhance NATO Allied Maritime capability in peacetime, as well as in conflict.
The United Kingdom and its Leadership in EU Naval Force
The Operation Commander, Major General Martin Smith MBE with the UK Secretary of State for Defence, The Right Honourable Michael Fallon MP. London January 28,2016 ©European Union Naval Force Operation Atalanta
The UK Secretary of State for Defence, The Rt Hon Michael Fallon visited EU NAVFOR’s Operational Headquarters in London. The visit was to ensure the EU Naval Operation of the un-ending UK’s commitment and supports.
Related documents from the UK Parliament:
Follow-up report on the EU’s Operation Atalanta and beyond by the UK House of Lords, July 2012
The United Kingdom and its Leadership in Western Balkans
The United Kingdom has been long– advocating the path of Western Balkans into European Union and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization by:
- Political Measures: Educational sponsorship, providing help for Training and Reforms for helping the region to be qualified for EU-NATO full Membership.
See implemented and the on going Projects UK and Bosnia-Herzegovina
- Military Presence: for Conflict Prevention and helping the process of Peace and Stability in Bosnia-Herzegovina (BiH) since 2004 in the European Union Force ‘EUFOR’
Just in recent year, in June 2014 the UK Armed-Forced deployed two additional reconnaissance platoons to strengthen the EUFOR capability in BiH.
In the same year, in response to the request by the EUFOR, the UK Armed-Forces deployed an additional of 95 troops to upgrade the EU Peacekeeping Mission in BiH.
- Multi-Financial Aid Package: for various Social and Economic Projects
Between 2010- 2015 the UK Foreign office allocated the additional £3 million for supporting the Reforms in Judicial System and promote the Freedom of Media for: Albania, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia (and Turkey).
In 2015 Prime Minister David Cameron announced, in EU Summit-Brussels, another package of aid £20 million for Training and Good Governance Fund for Ukraine, Georgia, Moldova, Serbia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Additional Projects/References:
New UK funding to build stronger and more Democratic Nations in the Eastern Balkans, 2015
UK Government Policy: Stability in the Western Balkans 2010-2015
See news from UK Diplomatic Mission in BiH
By Catherine Stella Schmidt
The U.S and UK on Human Rights Day
Message from U.S Secretary of State John Kerry on the International Human Rights Day 2015
Excerpt of Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond message on Human Rights
“Our British democratic values have developed over time with human rights at their core. We are reminded of this fact this year as we mark the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta, sealed at Runnymede in my constituency.
Human Rights Day – chosen by the UN General Assembly to mark the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, is a day when Britain, a key promoter of such rights and values, can hold its head high. This Government was elected on a manifesto commitment to protect Human Rights. We are doing that in three ways.
…..we make most progress on Human Rights around the world when our approach appeals to others’ enlightened self-interest and is sensitive to their culture and history. In short, we have to persuade countries and governments that respecting human rights will be beneficial to them.
Human Rights expertise is an important part of the training our staff receive. Teams working in countries where we have particular concerns, and their colleagues in London, see Human Rights as an integral part of what we are trying to achieve with that country. This year the Foreign Office is supporting more than 75 Human Rights projects in more than 40 countries and we are continuing to pursue a pioneering approach to preventing sexual violence in conflict.
We were leaders on Human Rights in 1215, as the Magna Carta was sealed, and we remain leaders now in 2015.
As we promote and protect those standards across the world, we are approaching human rights diplomacy in our own, British way, to ensure we get the right results.” 10 Dec 2015©UK Foreign Office
Continue to read: Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond on human rights Day 2015
NATO Secretary General was awarded ‘KCMG’ by the United Kingdom
The United Kingdom presented NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael ad St. George (KCMG)
The award was a recognition for the outstanding achievements of NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen during his term at the office between 2009-2014.
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Rt Hon Philip Hammond with NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen in the official award ceremony. 17 Nov. 2015 ©UK Foreign Office
The Foreign Secretary Rt Hon Philip Hammond presented the Honorary KCMG award from the UK Foreign office to former NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and elaborated:
“The 2014 Wales Summit took place at a time of significant geopolitical challenge. Under Mr Rasmussen’s leadership the Alliance set out an ambitious response, whilst maintaining unity throughout. The achievements of the Wales Summit included a new rapid reaction capability to respond to any threat, as well as an unprecedented agreement by Heads of Government to halt the decline in defence investment. His efforts included the modernisation of NATO to ensure an Alliance fit for purpose to counter 21st century threats, including in Cyber and Hybrid Warfare. Ahead of the Warsaw Summit in July next year, the UK will continue to play a leading role to ensure implementation of Wales Summit commitments, including strengthening collective Defence. With a budget of £34 billion, the UK is the largest European contributor to NATO. Earlier this year, this government announced its commitment to meet the NATO guideline of spending 2% of GDP on Defence for the rest of the decade.” ©UK Foreign Office
The NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen, on the occasion of the award ceremony, expressed:
“I am deeply honoured to be appointed as an Honorary Knight Commander of the Order of St. Michael ad St. George (KCMG). This award will further strengthen my ties to the British people. Let me take this opportunity to thank the UK for its invaluable contribution to the promotion of Freedom and Peace in the World. The United Kingdom is a staunch NATO ally and a bedrock of the Transatlantic Security Cooperation between Europe and the United States. I would like to extend a special thanks to the British service men and women in gratitude for their tireless efforts to make the world a safer and better place to live.” ©UK Foreign Office
It is important to note that since the establishment of NATO in April 1949, the United Kingdome has been the most crucial leading partner along with the U.S. in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. And as of today is the largest European contributor to the NATO.
Follow more news from the S.G. of NATO Anders Rasmussen
More news from the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Office
UK Armed-Forces Remembrance 2015
Remembrance in 2015, by MoD of UK
London Poppy Day, in its tenth year, is the country’s largest one-day street collection event, raising money to fund the Legion’s work supporting military personnel, veterans and their families. In 2014, troops and volunteer collectors last year raised £1.25m in the one day marathon appeal. ©UK Army
Follow more news on UK Armed Forces
UK Royal Marines in the NATO Exercise Trident Juncture
9.October 2015 ©NATO
Trident Juncture 2015
NATO Trident Juncture is a comprehensive Training Exercise with over 36,000 Military personnel from 30 Allied and Partner Nations added with 12 International Organizations, Aid Agencies and non-governmental Institutions.
The exercise is being executed in several locations and regions:
- The Atlantic Ocean
- The Mediterranean Sea
- Canada
- Italy, Portugal, Spain, Norway, Germany, Belgium and the Netherlands
The United Kingdom and the U.S in response to Syrian crisis
The United States and UK have been the two largest financial aid donor to the humanitarian crisis in Syria.
Since the start of the internal conflict in Syria, the United States as the First largest financial aid provider, has contributed more than $4 billion to help the affected people and the refugees. Every months there is a new additional financial aid package by the U.S Government allocated in response to this crisis.
New U.S. Humanitarian Assistance to Respond to Syria Crisis, 21 September 2015
UK Humanitarian Help for Syria
At the same time UK and US with the initiative of la France have been trying to stop the civil war and to combat with the radical extremist groups in the region for years.
The United kingdom’s Leadership in refugee crisis in Europe
The result might have not been seen as the white and black outcomes– since there are more complexity involved in it, which comes mainly by those tyrannical systems that feed the radical groups either by weapons, other means of supports, or by blocking the UN Security Council’s decision by their veto– each time when the US-UK and France stood resolutely to act in solving the Syrian internal conflict.
Please see the associated Official documents:
The U.S Humanitarian Assistance to Syrians, by Department of State
The UN Security Council fails to adopt resolution on Syria, the United Nations July 2012
US-Europe World Affairs 