'Afghanistan is at a critical juncture in its development', said FCO Minister, Dr Kim Howells, at the Wilton Park Conference, on Thursday 12 May. Dr Howells went on to say: 'We're all conscious that huge political and social progress has been made over the past three years. And the next important step forward in the democratic process - Parliamentary and Provincial elections – is less than four months away.' The Minister went on to speak of the Foreign Secretary's visit to Afghanistan in February 2005, where Mr Straw reaffirmed to President Karzai that the UK was fully committed to developing a long-term, strategic relationship with Afghanistan. Dr Howells concluded by saying: 'Afghanistan faces many difficult and complex challenges. The road ahead will not be an easy one. But I believe that, if we work together, there's every hope that Afghanistan will be a strong, prosperous nation, stable and democratic, within a region of growing economic opportunity.'

On Thursday 12 May, speaking on the BBC's World at One programme, the Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw warned Iran of the consequences if they carried out their threat to resume work on their nuclear programme. He said that he hoped Iran would think again about the risks if they restarted their nuclear programme: they could lose the benefits on offer, and the case could well end up in the UN Security Council.

The Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, on Thursday 12 May, announced how he had allocated responsibilities within the FCO Ministerial team.

Mr Francois Gordon CMG has been appointed British High Commissioner to Uganda in succession to Mr Adam Wood who will be transferring to another Diplomatic Service appointment. Mr Gordon will take up his appointment in July 2005.