Good evening, everyone. It is a pleasure to welcome you at our Residence. The presence of so many leading figures from Argentina’s political, economic, social and cultural life reflects the enormous progress achieved in bilateral relations lately.

We would like to give special thanks to all the companies who are with us tonight as sponsors, making this celebration possible. This is a very important day for us. It is the day when we celebrate Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s birthday. And it is the equivalent of our National Day.

By the way, in just over three weeks the Royal family will celebrate the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. So those of you who are interested may go to into one of the rooms where you can have your photo taken with Windsor Castle in the background, to feel like you are part of the Royal Wedding in some way.

This past year has been very busy for us. In some of the screens at the Residence, you will be able to see the wide variety of projects, activities and visits that have kept us busy over these past few months.

But rather than go over the figures in our relationship, the events, the agreements we have signed, I would like to focus on three stories. Three stories that bring us together. Three success stories. Three stories with individual names and human faces, because this is what, ultimately, relations between countries are all about.

And if we talk about the things that Argentine and British people have in common, the first thing that comes to mind is our love for football. In only two months, the Argentine and English will take part in the World Cup, together with other 30 nations.

Driven by the football fever that is already gripping us all, we have included in this celebration two of best players in the Premier League – Argentina’s Kun Agüero and England’s Harry Kane. You will have the opportunity to have your photo taken next to them as if you were wearing the shirt of two World Cup winning squads: England 66 and Argentina 86.

But, as I was saying, the important thing is to give these stories a human face, and that is why we are lucky to have Jorge Burruchaga with us tonight, a World Cup winner in 1986. As you know, he was not only a part of the winning team in Mexico, but also the man who scored the last goal in the World Cup, as we can see in the video.
That was pretty good, Jorge, pretty good. The best thing is that, as we can clearly see, you played the ball with your foot, with no help from the hand of God…

As well as our love for football, Jorge and I have other things in common. He has a daughter living in London, so he has a particular interest in visiting my country. And he started his career as a footballer in Arsenal, a team that shares the name with “my” Arsenal, the Holloway club.

Today Jorge is the manager of the Argentine football squad, and that is why we would like him to have the England shirt as a gift from the British Embassy.

Of course, during this World Cup I am going to be cheering for my team, hoping that they perform as well as in 1966. However, if they don’t, you will see me rooting for Messi and Argentina. But please don’t ask me to chant “el que no salta es un inglés” (he who doesn’t jump is an Englishman), because I won´t. So we wish Jorge and his team the best of luck. Let us give them a big round of applause.

The second story I wanted to tell you has to do with the world of business, technology, innovation and particularly, with the fascinating world of entrepreneurs.

This is the story of a group of Argentine friends who started researching on artificial intelligence at university, designed a project, which in the beginning was merely an academic project, and soon realised that it contained the seed of something bigger.

Tonight Nicolás, Adrián, Juan Pablo, Alexis, Alejandra and Federico are here with us. They are the founders of Eye Capital, the company that created an innovative technology, a sort of robot who makes automated decisions to operate in stock markets around the world. All six of them formed a multi-disciplinary team that managed to combine research, academia, technology and business acumen.

Only six years after taking that first step at university, combining coffee with experimental algorithms, they set up a company with an international expansion plan, which was legally incorporated in the UK a month ago. They decided to take the leap because they know that London is the Fintech capital of the world and that they will be able to find partners, customers, investors and resources to provide a global platform to this idea that came up as part of an academic project at an Argentine university.

This may be one of the most notable stories, but it is certainly not the only one. More and more companies, yes, Argentine companies, both large and small, are seeing the benefits of investing in the UK. After gathering information, they realise that it is much easier and accessible than they thought. We look forward to seeing many more projects like Eye Capital in the future.

The third story is the most profound and moving one, the one that gave rise to the touching images we saw exactly a month ago. Ninety families were finally able to see the place where their loved ones lie at Darwin’s Argentine Cemetery.

A historic agreement signed towards the end of 2016 between the governments of Argentina and the UK and the Red Cross enabled the process of identification through DNA. The Red Cross put together a very professional team that included the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team and other organisations and, with the support of the Human Rights Department headed by Claudio Avruj, they worked for several months last year to achieve the results that the families had long been waiting for. Finally, in March this year, we were able to carry out the visit the families had dreamed about for so long.

It was a very moving visit, which required six weeks of intensive planning. I would like to highlight in particular the role played by two people who, through a very thorough logistic job, made sure that the families were taken to the Cemetery with the respect and care they deserved.

They were our Defence Attaché, Group Captain Robin Smith, and Roberto Curilovic, who works for Corporación América, the business group that, thanks to Mr Eurnekian’s generosity, made the families’ trip possible.
It was highly motivating to see a Royal Air Force officer like Robin and a former Argentine Air Force pilot and veteran of the 1982 conflict like Roberto working shoulder to shoulder.

All of this shows that when goodwill exists, when we put humanitarian values ahead of individual interests, great things are achieved.

To conclude, I would like to show you a photo that summarises this spirit, the idea of giving priority to our sense of humanity, which is in the nature of Argentines and Britons alike.

The photo was taken in March during a ceremony held at the Argentine Embassy in London to present the Two Roses for Peace, an excellent initiative by Juan Carlos Pallarols. The two people embracing each other are María Fernanda Araujo, Head of the Families Commission, and Geoffrey Cardozo, the British Army Colonel whose mission it was to bury the Argentine soldiers.

The image cannot lie. María Fernanda is embracing the man who gave her brother a decent burial. Gratitude, compassion, genuine empathy between two human beings.

I propose that when we raise our glasses in a few minutes, we toast these sentiments too.

We are now going to listen to the national anthems of Argentina and the UK, played by the Argentine Air Force Band whom we thank for being here tonight. After the anthems, we will offer a toast to the Heads of State and the people of our two countries. On this occasion, I have chosen to toast the Argentine President and people with a glass of Malbec and the Queen with a genuine single malt scotch.

Toast to the President and the people of Argentina

Toast to Her Majesty the Queen

Thank you very much. Enjoy the party!

UK Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, the Rt Hon Mark Field MP, will arrive in India today (7 May) for two days of high-level talks on technology, cyber security, energy and girls’ education.

Speaking ahead of his visit to India, UK Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific, the Rt Hon Mark Field MP said:

I am looking forward to visiting India once more to discuss a range of bilateral issues and build on the tremendous success of the recent visit to the UK by Prime Minister Modi.

I shall be meeting Minister MJ Akbar and Mr Amitabh Kant, CEO of Niti Aayog to follow up on the ambitious set of deliverables that were agreed last month during Prime Minister Modi’s visit and specifically on the India-UK Tech Partnership.

As two countries with a global outlook, the UK is committed to working with India to unlock the full potential of our trade and investment relationship.

While in New Delhi on 7 May, Minister Field will meet Minister of State for External Affairs MJ Akbar and CEO of NITI Aayog Amitabh Kant and visit ASHA, a civil society organisation working for women’s empowerment and the environment.

On Tuesday 8 May, the Minister will travel to Hyderabad to attend a roundtable on ‘Corporate Green Leadership’ and also visit T-Hub, India’s largest incubator housing more than 200 start-ups, before interacting with rural female students at Voice Camp, an event organised by civil society organisation Voice4Girls in collaboration with BDHC Hyderabad.

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The Rt Hon Mark Field MP, Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, arrived in Nepal on Sunday 6 May for a two day visit. This was Mr Field’s first visit to Nepal.

Mr Field visited Nepal to further strengthen the more than 200-year long bilateral relationship.

While in Nepal he met senior leaders from government, including Prime Minister KP Oli and Foreign Minister Gyawali, and business as well as those working to improve the lives of the most vulnerable. He discussed what more can be done to grow bilateral trade and boost inward investment, and how the UK can help support Nepal’s transition to federalism.

Minister of State for Asia and the Pacific Mark Field said:

I am delighted to be the first British Minister to visit Nepal since the formation of Nepal’s current government. The UK is Nepal’s oldest diplomatic partner and I look forward to my meetings with Prime Minister Oli and Foreign Minister Gyawali to strengthen our relationship even further.

I will also be visiting the Red Cross Emergency Prepositioning Site in Bhaktapur to see first-hand how UK assistance is making a real difference to the lives of the people of Nepal in their post-earthquake reconstruction effort.

The UK is committed to supporting prosperity and stability in Nepal and my visit will also be an opportunity to discuss how our countries can work together on our shared priorities.

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newsdesk@fco.gov.uk

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020 7008 3100

Sue James

Sue James has over 30 years’ experience working in the media industry. She was a senior executive of Time Inc UK for over 20 years and until September 2017 she was the Editorial Director of woman&home, the UK’s leading consumer title for 40+ women. Sue received widespread recognition for her work there earning numerous industry awards and establishing a strong commercial reputation for understanding and meeting customer needs as well as delivering and managing behavioural and organisational change. Sue now runs her own media brand consultancy advising clients from all sectors on Strategic Brand Marketing, Content Creation and Customer Engagement.

Her passion for wellbeing and desire to help all women ‘lead their best life’, led Sue to develop long standing partnerships with some of the UK’s biggest health charities. For Breast Cancer Care she created the game-changing Pink Ribbon Walk initiative in 1999 and she was the driving force behind Walk for One Million for Target Ovarian Cancer. These, plus her recent work with the Alzheimer’s Society, have resulted in more than £10 million being raised for health and wellbeing charities.

Sue is a consummate communicator and has an astute understanding of the needs and aspirations of women globally, having herself worked in the USA, Europe and South Africa. She is passionate about supporting and mentoring and has, during her career, helped, encouraged and inspired women of all ages. She has also worked on youth and graduate inclusive physical activity initiatives through her involvement as a Trustee with the National Centre of Circus Arts.

Natalie Ceeney CBE

Natalie is a non-executive Director and strategy consultant. She was appointed to the board of Sports England from 1st June 2018, and her other roles include Chair of Innovate Finance, non-executive director of Board of Countrywide PLC, and a business advisor on technology driven transformation. Her previous executive career includes three CEO roles, of HM Courts and Tribunals Service, The National Archives and the Financial Ombudsman Service.

Natalie has always been passionate about sports, initially just as a supporter of elite sports and more recently as a regular cyclist and gym user. Her own experience of ill health, including breast cancer, has made her a strong believer in the power of activity and exercise for physical and mental health. Natalie is also a digital evangelist, with a career history of using digital technology to widen participation and access, and excited by its potential in sport.

Mohamed Elsarky

Mohamed Elsarky is a seasoned executive with wide experience in industry, sport, and not for profit organisations. Most recently he served as Global President and CEO of Godiva Chocolatier where he was also a member of the Board. Previously, he was operating partner at Lion Capital, a leading private equity firm; President of United Biscuits Northern Europe; CEO Jacobs Bakery (Danone) UK and Ireland, and Chairman / CEO Kellogg Australia and New Zealand.

Mohamed’s involvement in sport include major sponsorship of Rugby League, Netball, and Surf Life Saving Iron Man and Iron Woman competitions in Australia where he was Vice Patron of Surf Life Saving Queensland. More recently he was Chair of British Canoeing overseeing improved governance and developing relationships with funding bodies and key stakeholders. Mohamed is currently Chair of British Equestrian Federation.

Mohamed hold a number of non-executive board positions including NOMAD Foods (NYSE) and the East India Company. He also served on several not for profit organisations focussing on children including Kids Help Line, Children’s Hospital Council, and Australian Council for Children and Parenting as well as the New South Wales Technical and Further Education (TAFE) Board.

The roles are remunerated at £218 a day. These appointments have been made in accordance with the Cabinet Office’s Governance Code on Public Appointments. The appointments process is regulated by the Commissioner for Public Appointments. Under the Code, any significant political activity undertaken by an appointee in the last five years must be declared. This is defined as including holding office, public speaking, making a recordable donation, or candidature for election. Natalie, Sue and Mohamed have declared no such political activity.

Dogs that are capable of detecting minute traces of explosives concealed in air freight are being deployed in cargo sheds at British airports as the government introduces its latest measure to reinforce the UK’s aviation security.

Free running explosive detection dogs (FREDDs) working in close partnership with their human handlers are being used to check freight for a range of explosive materials. The dogs are being used alongside existing screening methods, offering a rapid and effective way of screening large volumes of air cargo.

Each animal has undergone 12 months of rigorous training to achieve government certification before being deployed in the cargo sheds. As they carry out their operational duties they will go through a regular quality assurance programme.

The world leading standards that have been set by the government will make sure that a robust programme is in place which guarantees and maintains the animals’ detection capabilities.

In 2016, goods worth £178 billion were transported by air between the UK and non-EU countries. These detection dogs have the potential to play a vital role in helping to ensure such cargo is safe to fly.

Baroness Sugg, Aviation Minister, said:

Free running explosive detection dogs are the latest addition to the government’s multi-layered approach to tackling potential aviation security threats.

The ability of these highly-skilled dogs to detect small amounts of vapour from explosives hidden in cargo will bolster our existing rigorous security methods, and I was really impressed to see them in action.

The UK’s aviation security standards are already among the best in the world and we will continue to seek out new and innovative ways to ensure that passengers remain protected.

Dogs are already used successfully in a variety of ways at UK airports, for example, by helping police to identify criminals and prevent illegal activity. The introduction of FREDDs will add to this capability and provide the aviation industry with a new way to fight the threat of terrorism.

In April 2018, the government published its aviation strategy next steps document, setting out its plans for the future of the industry. This involved a commitment to ensure that the UK is equipped to respond to changing threats.

The deployment of dogs in cargo sheds is just one example of how this pledge is being met, with knowledge and expertise being used to build on the highly sophisticated security interventions already in place across the aviation industry.

While all cargo is made secure before it is allowed on to aircraft, the dogs offer the ability to detect minute traces of vapour from concealed explosives. This provides a high level of scrutiny as well as a highly mobile and time-saving way of screening freight, 2.4 million tonnes of which passed through the UK’s airports in 2016.

The dogs are already operating in multiple airports, and more will be deployed around the country as the number of approved canines’ increases.

Both the certification and quality assurance process that the dogs will need to go through is set by the Department for Transport (DfT) which will share oversight with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The CAA will have a further responsibility ensuring those who operate the dogs do so in line with the standards set out by the DfT.