Letter to Chairman of the Committee from
the Permanent Under Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth
Office
In December 2003 the FCO published a White Paper
entitled "UK International Priorities: A Strategy for the
FCO" (which you can find at www.fco.gov.uk/strategy).
In publishing the Strategy, we committed to
reviewing it every two years in order to ensure that it continued
to reflect the Government's international priorities. We do not
expect this review to lead to radical changes. But in light of
developments since 2003, and a complex and rapidly changing world,
we are updating our analysis of the key issues, institutions and
relationships; and the international priorities for the UK identified
in the Strategy. In doing so we are likely in particular to underline
the importance of migration, public service delivery, in particular
consular services, and the growing importance of China and India.
We intend to publish a new paper at the end
of March and will of course ensure that the Committee receives
copies. If in the meantime you and FAC colleagues have views on
the Strategy and the areas the review should cover, these would
of course be welcome, if possible before the end of January.
Sir Michael Jay KCMG
12 January 2006
|
