There are more than 260 UK embassies and consulates in over 140 countries worldwide. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office takes the lead in formulating UK foreign policy, and manages the network of embassies and consulates. It is also responsible of the security and good governance of 14 Overseas Territories. David Miliband was appointed Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs in June 2007 and has overall responsibility for the Foreign Office and Commonwealth Office. He is supported by a team of five Ministers, who have varying roles and responsibilities. Caroline Flint is the Minister for Europe and has direct responsibility for the UK’s relations with Georgia. 

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has four policy goals:

Counter terrorism, weapons proliferation and their causes

• reduce the risks to the UK and its interest overseas from international terrorism
• counter the proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) and their means of delivery.
• ensure effective controls on all weapons, and pursue disarmament, to reduce the risk of conflict

Prevent and resolve conflict

• prevent conflict through more effective national and international action
• promote human rights, democracy, rule of law and good governance
• resolve conflict, including through an integrated civil-military approach to peacekeeping, stabilisation and sustained post-conflict peacebuilding

Promote a low carbon, high growth, global economy

• create the conditions for a rapid shift in investment towards low carbon and for an ambitious post-2012 climate agreement.
• enhance UK energy security through more diverse supplies and more efficient global consumption
• increase international commitment to an open economy and achieving the Millennium Development Goals

Develop effective international institutions, above all the UN and EU

• promote an international system able to meet the opportunities and challenges of globalisation
• work for an effective, efficient, responsive and representative international system based on core values.
• Promote an EU that delivers for its citizens in response to global challenges

The British Embassy Tbilisi is primarily focussed on the ‘prevent and resolve conflict goal. Further information on the Embassy’s work can be found here.