Caspian Energy (CE): Could you, please, outline the goals and objectives of your mission in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan?

Charles Hendry M.P., Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy for Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan, UK: The UKs global diplomatic network protects and promotes UK interests, shaping a distinctive British foreign policy geared to the national interest.  And to build Britain’s prosperity by increasing exports and investment, opening markets, ensuring access to resources and promoting sustainable global growth.

The British Embassy in Baku’s purpose is to advance the UK’s security, prosperity and consular interests, working towards an Azerbaijan which is a stable and transparent democracy, increasingly integrated into Euro-Atlantic structures, with an open, market-based economy and with effective governance structures, contributing towards Europe’s energy security, and an ally to us in the wider South Caucasus and Black Sea regions. 

The purpose of the British Embassy in Ashgabat is to promote British values and to protect British interests in Turkmenistan. The Embassy works closely with the Government of Turkmenistan and others on ways to promote further reforms in Turkmenistan, and on broader issues that relate to regional prosperity and stability (including in respect of Afghanistan). The Embassy is working through the Turkmenistan-UK Trade & Industry Council to increase the number of British firms successfully doing business with Turkmenistan. The Embassy also works closely with the local authorities to assist British nationals.

Exporting and trade has very strong support right across government. The Foreign & Commonwealth Office has now put trade & investment at the centre of its effort overseas. UK Trade & Investment is absolutely committed to making sure that we have the maximum possible benefit for British companies.