On June 23, The Salamanca Band and the Bugles of The Rifles of the UK Ministry of Defence performed a joint concert with the Honour Guard Unit and the Military Band of the General Staff of the Armenia Ministry of Defence at Freedom Square in Yerevan, Armenia.

The UK and Armenia Ministries of Defence organised the concert as part of the celebrations of the 25th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The Minister of Defence of the Republic of Armenia Vigen Sargsyan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Relations Garen Nazarian and Her Majesty’s Ambassador to Armenia Judith Farnworth attended the event.

Ambassador Farnworth mentioned in her opening remarks:

Over the last 25 years the United Kingdom and the Republic of Armenia have developed strong partnerships in a range of areas – political, economic, commercial, cultural, and, of course, defence. The UK is committed to building on these strong foundations by further developing our cooperation for the benefit of Armenia and the United Kingdom.

The Deputy Foreign Minister Garen Nazarian said:

Not incidentally, we are commencing the celebrations with a cultural event. These type of events are aimed at promoting mutual understanding and increasing contacts between our societies.

Mr Nazarian also underlined that the two countries cooperate successfully in the bilateral and multilateral formats, focusing on the challenges threatening the international community and the issues related to addressing them. He expressed hope that the positive dynamics of close cooperation will be maintained through joint efforts and the interstate dialogue will be raised to a qualitatively new level.

The sight of the two military bands drew large crowds of appreciative onlookers who enjoyed the performance of classic and popular British and Armenian tunes.

Besides this concert, the British military band also performed at the Yerevan State Conservatory and during the Queen’s Birthday Party in Armenia.

Visit the British Embassy Yerevan’s Facebook page for more photos of the Salamanca’s performances in Armenia.

A Downing Street spokesperson said:

The Prime Minister spoke on the phone to the leader of the Democratic Unionist Party Arlene Foster this evening about the UK government’s priority to restore devolved Government to Northern Ireland as soon as possible and our commitment to doing everything we can to work with the parties to reach a successful conclusion.

On the ongoing talks, the Prime Minister said it was encouraging to see discussions continuing and it was important that momentum is maintained so an Executive can be restored and they both agreed that this was in the interest of everyone in Northern Ireland.

In a separate call, the Prime Minister also spoke to Michelle O’Neill this evening:

A Downing Street spokesperson said:

The Prime Minister also spoke separately to Sinn Fein leader in Northern Ireland Michelle O’Neill this evening about the importance of re-establishing a power-sharing Executive as soon as possible and how the UK government remains steadfast in our commitment to making sure Northern Ireland has the political stability it requires.

They both agreed on the need for the Executive to be restored for the benefit of everyone in Northern Ireland. The Prime Minister recognised that constructive discussions had taken place between the parties and urged them both to come together reach a collective agreement so that devolved Government could be restored in Northern Ireland.

Labour’s
Shadow Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Andrew Gwynne
MP,
commenting on Nick Paget-Brown stepping down as Leader of Kensington and
Chelsea Council, said: 

“It
is right that the Kensington and Chelsea Leader has resigned after his handling
of the Grenfell fire.

“It
is clear that that the community has lost trust in their council, and Sajid
Javid needs to finally show some leadership and make sure all residents are
getting the support they need.

“The
lack of management of this tragedy, from both local and central government, has
been a disgrace – and Javid needs to call an immediate review into the
council’s corporate governance with a view to sending in commissioners to take
control of the council.”

5 men have been convicted for the murder of Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov. The investigation has not gone as far as identifying those who ordered the assassination.

The family of opposition politician Boris Nemtsov are still seeking justice for his callous murder. The investigation must continue in order to ensure that all responsible, including those who ordered the assassination, are brought to justice.

Foreign Office spokesperson:

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office supports Boris Nemtsov’s family in their call for a fuller investigation into who ordered his murder. Responsibility for his murder goes further than those already convicted, and we call on the Russian government to bring the perpetrators to account.

Further information

2016 – present Ministry of Defence (MOD), UK Permanent Representation to the European Union, Brussels, Deputy Military Representative 2014 – 2016 MOD, Head, Russian Strategic Studies/Wider Europe Policy 2013 – 2014 Member of Royal College of Defence Studies 2012 – 2013 Language training (Russian), Defence Academy 2010 – 2012 Warsaw, British Embassy, Defence Attaché 2007 – 2009 Defence College Communications Information Systems, Deputy Commandant and Garrison Commander 2003 – 2007 Stockholm, British Embassy, Defence Attaché 2001 – 2003 Defence Communications Services Agency, Senior Staff Officer Communication Operations Planning 2000 – 2001 Defence Academy, Advanced Command and Staff Course, Student 1984 – 2000 Member of the Royal Air Force (RAF), various appointments