Downing Street Says » British Council

» Thursday, January 17, 2008

British Council

Asked what the Government’s position was in relation to Russia generally and was the new British Council website a way round the closing of offices by belligerent governments, the PMS replied that the purpose of the new British Council website was to enable as many people as possible around the world to learn English. Its initial focus was on China. On Russia generally, the PMS reiterated that David Miliband would be making a statement in the House later today.

The general position on the bilateral relationship was that Russia had an important role to play in many of our international priorities, such as energy, security, climate change, international security and continuing to engage with Russia on these issues made us better placed to achieve our objectives. The relationship was not always a meeting of minds and where the Government did have concerns, they were raised frankly with the Russian authorities.

The Government had made its position clear in relation to the British Council and David Miliband would be updating the House on that this afternoon. As he said yesterday, any attempt to intimidate staff was in the Government’s view, completely unacceptable.

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