KIM HOWELLS: STATEMENT ON MOVEMENT AND ACCESS

 

I welcome Defence Minister Barak's announcement that there will be improved movement and access inside the West Bank. This demonstrates the importance of the ongoing discussions at a high level between the Palestinian Authority and the Israeli Government. I welcome the United States' continued and serious involvement.

 

It is vital that Minister Barak's commitment translates into real progress on the ground. Illegal Israeli outposts must be removed, and settlement construction halted. Palestinian militants must immediately cease all rocket fire on Israeli communities.

 

I hope this will be the first step of many. Freedom of movement and access is essential to developing a viable Palestinian economy. We look forward to seeing progress in advance of the Investors Conference in Bethlehem on 21-23 May.

 

TUESDAY 1 APRIL 2008

 

FCO Press Office: 020 7008 3100

On Israel's plan to build up to 750 new homes in a settlement in the West Bank, an FCO Spokesperson said:

 

" We are concerned by reports that Israel plans to build in the settlement of Givat Ze'ev. We have raised our concerns about these latest reports with the Israeli MFA, and stressed that we see this as unhelpful particularly when Israelis and Palestinians should be focusing on full implementation of their obligations under phase one of the Roadmap, which include freezing all settlement activity, including natural growth.

As the FS has recently stated, the UK believes that all Israeli settlements anywhere in the Occupied Palestinian Territories are illegal under international law. We believe they are a serious impediment to a negotiated two-state solution " .

 

 

From 16 October 2007 all visa applications must be submitted at our Visa Application Centre (VAC).

All applicants over the age of 5 must attend the VAC to submit their application and give fingerprints electronically.

 

Opening Times:

Saturday – Wednesday 08.00 – 16.00

 

Location :

Opposite Indian School – Al Ghubrah

 

The British Embassy Muscat now accepts visa applications online. All you need to do is to complete the online form, note the reference number and bring your passport and supporting documents to the visa section (08:30 - 10:30 Saturday - Wednesday)

 

The British Embassy is an equal opportunities employer and has Investor in People status. Find out more about job opportunities at the British Embassy.

If you are a British Citizen in the Sultanate of Oman, it is important that Consular Section knows of your presence here.Online consular registration is free. You must subscribe to the website before using this facility. But the online forms are easy to complete and the details are forwarded to us by secure e-mail. We encourage you to use this service if you have not already done so. Please note that not all fields are mandatory, but the more information you submit, the better the service we will be able to provide. If you tell us the area in which you live, we will add you to our wardens’ network.