International role
Maintaining productive political, economic, cultural and diplomatic
contacts with our international partners is a vital task for any
government. Since 1997, the Deputy Prime Minister has represented the Prime
Minister frequently at home and abroad.
When a visiting government VIP visits the UK, it is common for the Deputy Prime Minister
to host a meeting on behalf of the Prime Minister. These meetings are used
to discuss areas of mutual interest.
The Deputy Prime Minister is also often asked to represent the Prime
Minister at meetings and events abroad, when the Prime Minister is not able
to attend.
Last year, Mr. Prescott's international itinerary was particularly
busy, with increased international travel due to the UK's Presidency of the EU. The Deputy Prime Minister was asked by the
Prime Minister to focus on high-level contacts with the new EU member states, who joined the Union in 2004,
and also to liaise with the European Parliament.
Since 1997, the Deputy Prime Minister has also built up a very strong
relationship with the political leadership in China. It is vital that the
UK maintains its close links with
China as its rapidly expanding economy becomes increasingly important for
growth in the UK jobs and
services market.
In 2003, the Prime Minister asked Mr. Prescott to Chair the UK's China Task Force, an informal group of
experts from industry, education and cultural bodies, to develop the
UK's policy towards China and
to recommend action to build closer links between the two countries.
The cost of the Deputy Prime Minister's international travel is kept to
the necessary minimum. Scheduled flights are used wherever possible.
Details of travel costs are disclosed to Parliament at the end of each
financial year.
Overseas visits made by the Deputy Prime Minister in 2005-06 include:
Russia
Victory Day commemoration in Moscow, on the 60th anniversary of the end of
the 'Great Patriotic War'.
Poland
Council of Europe Summit in Warsaw
Austria
Meetings with the Austrian President and Chancellor
Hungary
EU Presidency meetings with the
Hungarian Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and Europe Minister in Budapest
Poland
EU Presidency meetings with the
Polish Prime Minister & President
Slovakia
EU Presidency meetings with the
Slovakian Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in
Bratislava
Czech Republic
EU Presidency meetings with the
Czech Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in Prague
USA
Political and trade promotion meetings in Washington DC, Texas, Colorado and California
Poland
Solidarity commemoration ceremony in Gdansk with the Polish President and
Prime Minister, as well as ex-President Walesa
France
Meetings with EP political
group leaders in Strasbourg
Germany
Speech to the Congress for European Urbanism in Berlin, and meetings with
the Minister for Transport, Building and Housing.
France
Meetings with EP political
group leaders during the plenary session in Strasbourg.
Belgium
Speech at the 20th anniversary of the Social Dialogue with EU Commission President Barroso and Jacques
Delors in Brussels
Belgium
Speech to the Committee of the Regions session in Brussels, with
Commissioner Hubner. DPM
also attended the European Parliament mini-Plenary and held meetings with
EP President Borell and
political group leaders.
Slovenia
EU Presidency meetings with the
Slovenian President, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister in Ljubljana
Cyprus
EU Presidency meetings with the
Cypriot President, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Finance
Minister and Attorney General in Nicosia. Also visited Northern Cyprus for
meetings with political leadership.
Croatia
EU Presidency meetings with the
Croatian President and Prime Minister Zagreb
France
Meetings with EP political
group leaders during Plenary session in Strasbourg
Belgium
Speech to the EU Commission
event, 'Financing Growth and Cohesion in the Enlarged EU'. Meetings with EU Commissioner Danuta Hubner
Belgium
Meetings with EP political
group leaders during the European Parliament mini-Plenary in Brussels
China
Bilateral meetings with Premier Wen, Jia Qinglin, State Councillor Tang,
Minister for Health, 2008 Olympic organising committee and others in
Beijing. Opened Nottingham University Campus in Ningbo. Other meetings in
Shanghai, Hong Kong and Chengdu to promote UK political, commercial and educational
interests.
Dublin
Meeting with Taoiseach and other ministers
Some of the international visitors received by the Deputy Prime Minister in
the UK during 2005-06 include:
The President of China
The President of Brazil
The President of Croatia
President of the Dominican Republic
The Deputy President of South Africa
The Prime Minister of Croatia
The Prime Minister of New Zealand
The Deputy Prime Minister of Canada
The Deputy Prime Minister of Singapore
The Governor of Minas Gerais, Brazil
State Councillor Tang of China
The Czech Foreign Minister
A delegation from the United States Congress
