Britain will overhaul its long-term approach to foreign diplomacy by building new partnerships with emerging economic powers.Described as “patient diplomacy”, Britain’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly argued that Britain had for too long focused its attention on its traditional allies or, conversely, foes.
Britain’s Foreign Secretary James Cleverly speaking in London, unveiling a long-term strategy for foreign policy.Described as “patient diplomacy”, Cleverly argued that Britain had for too long focused its attention on its traditional allies or, conversely, countries like China or Russia that pose some kind of threat.
He argued that such countries were focused on attracting investment, decarbonising their economies and creating jobs for their typically younger population. He said new partnerships would cover trade development, defence, cyber-security, technology, climate change and environmental protection.
But he said the new approach would be undermined if Britain looked for swift dividends or windfall gains, and it must overlook any temptation to question that effort.He said Britain needed to portray itself as a trusted partner, with strong and robust institutions which kept its word while the pace of change in the world was “accelerating at hurricane force”.