Foreign Relations of the United Kingdom

The diplomatic foreign relations of the United Kingdom are implemented by the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office. The UK was the world’s foremost power during the 19^th and early 20^th centuries. Throughout history it has wielded significant influence upon other nations via the British Empire, and until the 1950s was considered a superpower. However, the cost of two World Wars and the process of decolonization diminished this influence. Nevertheless, the United Kingdom remains a major power and a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, a Member State of the European Union, and a founding member of the G7, G8, G20, NATO, OECD, WTO, Council of Europe, OSCE, and the Commonwealth of Nations, which is a legacy of the British Empire.

The UK has varied relationships with the countries that make up the Commonwealth of Nations (Australia, Barbados, Canada, Cyprus, India, Ireland, Malaysia, Malta, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea) which originated from the British Empire. Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom is the head of the Commonwealth and is the head of state of 16 of its 54 member states. Those that retain the Queen as head of state are called Commonwealth Realms. Over time several countries have been suspended from the Commonwealth for various reasons. Zimbabwe was suspended because of the authoritarian rule of its President and so was Pakistan, but it has since returned. Countries which become republics are still eligible for membership of the Commonwealth so long as they are deemed democratic. Commonwealth nationssuch as Malaysia enjoyed no export duties in trade with the UK before the UK concentrated their economic relationship with EU member states.

The UK was once a dominant colonial power in many countries on the continent of Africa and its multinationals remain large investors in sub-Saharan Africa. Nowadays the UK, as lead member of the Commonwealth of Nations, seeks to influence Africa through its foreign policies. Current UK disputes are with Zimbabwe over human rights violations. Tony Blair set up the Africa Commission and urged rich countries to cease demanding developing countries repay their large debts.

The United Kingdom and the United States are close military allies. The two countries share cultural similarities, as well as military research and intelligence facilities. The UK has purchased military technology from the USA such as Tomahawk cruise missiles and Trident nuclear missiles, and the US has purchased equipment from Britain (e.g. Harrier Jump Jet). The USA also maintains a large number of military personnel in the UK. In recent years, the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and the President of the United States have often been close friends, for example Tony Blair and Bill Clinton and later with George W. Bush and in the 1980s the often like-minded Margaret Thatcher and Ronald Reagan. Present British policy is that the relationship with the United States represents Britain’s “most important bilateral relationship”.

The UK has had good relations with the rest of Europe since the Second World War. It became a member of the European Economic Community in 1973, which eventually evolved into the European Union through the Maastricht Treaty twenty years later. Although the UK does not use the Euro and is not a member of the Eurozone, it still plays a leading role in the day to day workings of the EU.

Britain has a century-long alliance with France, through the Entente Cordiale, which was reconfirmed through the November 2010 Defence and Security Co-operation Treaty – setting up a joint expeditionary force, aircraft carrier sharing and nuclear collaboration – as well as extremely close cooperation with France over the 2011 Libyan Uprising and Libyan no-fly zone.

Exercise 7.Match each definition with the correct word. Translate the words into Russian and learn them by heart.

Exercise 8. Choose the right answer.

1. When was the UK the world’s foremost power?

a) during the 18^th century; b) during the 18^th and early 19^th centuries;

c) during the 19^th century; d) during the 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

2. How has the UK wielded significant influence upon other nations?

a) via two World Wars; b) via the British Empire;

c) via G7; d) via Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

3. Where does the UK NOT remain a permanent member?

a) NATO; b) WTO; c) G17; d) Council of Europe.

4. Who is the head of the Commonwealth?

a) the Queen; b) the President;

c) Tony Blair; d) Margaret Thatcher.

5. Who can retain the Queen as head of state?

a) the President; b) Commonwealth of Nations;

c) Council of Europe; d) Commonwealth Realms.

6. Which countries are still eligible for membership?

a) which become democratic; b) which become multinationals;

c) which become republics; d) which become rich countries.

7. What are the current UK disputes with Zimbabwe?

a) export duties in trade; b) human rights violation;

c) nuclear missiles; d) economic relationship.

8. What did the US purchase from Britain?

a) cruise missiles; b) military technology;

c) equipment;d) nuclear missiles.

9. What member did the UK become in 1973?

a) member of Eurozone; b) member of Commonwealth of Nations;

c) member of British Empire; d) member of the European Economic Community.

10. What is the UK national currency?

a) pound; b) USA dollar;

c) Canadian dollar; d) Euro.

Exercise 9.Fill in the table.

Exercise 10. Fill in the gaps using the words given below, and translate the sentences into Russian.

1. The …, commonly called the Foreign Office or the FCO, is the British government department responsible for promoting the interests of the United Kingdom overseas. 2. The United Kingdom is a founding member of the … . 3. … reflects the common language, ideals, and democratic practices of the two nations. 4. The United Kingdom and the United States continually consult on … issues. 5. The United Kingdom is the sixth-largest market for U.S. … after Canada, Mexico, China, Japan, and Germany. 6. Russia shall seek to achieve a multi-polar system of … that really reflects the diversity of the modern world with its great variety of interests. 7. Russia is a reliable … in international relations. 8. The main priority in the foreign policy of the Russian Federation in international economic relations is to promote the development of the … . 9. Russia shall seek to reduce to a minimum the risks relating to Russia’s further integration in the … . 10. Russia shall promote the formation of a fair … with a full-fledged participation of the Russian Federation in international economic organization. 11. Russia shall actively work to attract … . 12. Russia sees its goal in developing … in the humanitarian exchange area.

Exercise 11.Replace the underlined words with the synonym.

1. The main priority in the foreign policy of the Russian Federation in international economic relations is to promote the development of the national economy.

a) to advance; b) to recommend; c) to speed up; d) to slow.

2. These are the EU expansion, transition to a common currency, the institutional reform.

a) quantity; b) volume; c) raise;d) enlargement.

3. The Russian Federation will strive to develop with the EU an intensive, stable and long-term cooperation devoid of expediency fluctuations.

a) attempt; b) struggle ; c) try; d) make an effort.

4. The Russian Federation is prepared to overcome considerable latter-day difficulties in relations with the U.S.

a) win; b) conquer;c) get over; d) meet.

5. It is in our mutual interests to maintain regular bilateral contacts at all levels, not allowing pauses in relations and setback in the negotiating processes.

a) backset; b) reverse; c) turn; d) turn back.

6. Asia enjoys a steadily growing importance in the context of the entire foreign policy of the Russian Federation, something which is due to Russia’s need for an economic upturn in Siberia and the Far East.

a) movement; b) mend; c) progress; d) improvement.

7. Russia intends to pursue an active participation in the normalization of the post-crisis situation in the region.

a) to seek; b) to follow; c) to continue; d) to follow the course.

8. The UK was the world’s foremost power during the 19^th and early 20^th centuries.

a) innovative; b) new; c) leading; d) sovereign.

9. The UK has varied relationships with the countries that make up the Commonwealth of Nations.

a) form; b) repair; c) create; d) do.

10. Nowadays the UK, as lead member of the Commonwealth of Nations, seeks to influence Africa through its foreign policies.

a) legislate; b) control; c) win; d) argue.

Exercise 12.Match the verbs on the left with the nouns on the right. Make up sentences with the phrases you have got.

Exercise 13.Choose the most suitable word in each sentence.

1. The long-standing relationship/cooperation between the United Kingdom and Australia formally began in 1901. 2. As one of the first British Empire/English colonies, the initial permanent European settlement took place in the early seventeenth century by English settlers. 3. The policy goal is developing effective international institutions/departments. 4. The United Kingdom is a founding member/superpower of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. 5. The United Kingdom is one of the United States’ closest enemies/allies. 6. The United Kingdom is the sixth-largest market for U.S. interests/goods exports. 7. Taking into account mutual/different interests is guarantee of effectiveness and reliability. 8. The main priority in the foreign policy of the Russian Federation in international economic relations is to promote the development of the foreign/national economy. 9. Of key importance/insignificance are relations with the European Union. 10. There are good prospects for the development/decline of the Russian Federation’s relations with Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia.

Date: 2016-01-14; view: 1969