British Foreign Secretary David Cameron has come under scrutiny for his recent tour of Central Asia, where he rented a luxurious private jet for £42 mn (over $52 mn), The Guardian informed.
Cameron's five-day visit to Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, and Mongolia was facilitated by an Embraer Lineage 1000 aircraft, operated by Union Aviation. The charter firm boasted of amenities tailored for "discerning passengers," including assistance with wine selection and a menu suited for luxury travelers. The aircraft also features a private dining table and a separate lounge area with extended sofas, adding to its opulence.
Critics, including Emily Thornberry of the Labour Party, have condemned the decision to rent such an extravagant jet for official travel. Thornberry likened the use of taxpayer money for lavish trips to "travelling the world like the Kardashians," emphasizing the need for fiscal responsibility in government spending.
I get that David Cameron may need to charter a plane when travelling to multiple countries in one week, but that does not justify spending hundreds of thousands of pounds at taxpayers' expense to hire one of the most luxurious private jets on the market. https://t.co/2Snbwhed8w pic.twitter.com/xexZZnjvEe
— Emily Thornberry (@EmilyThornberry) April 28, 2024
Responding to the backlash, a representative of the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office defended Cameron's travel arrangements, stating that the cost-effectiveness of trips is always considered, with expenses regularly disclosed for transparency. However, the statement did little to quell concerns over the apparent extravagance of the tour.
Cameron to Uzbekistan
Cameron's visit to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on April 23, meant him meeting with his Uzbek counterpart, Bakhtiyor Saidov, to discuss strengthening bilateral relations across various sectors. Both parties expressed a willingness to enhance cooperation in education, culminating in the signing of the Declaration on Comprehensive Partnership and the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in Regional and International Connections and Infrastructure Sectors.
Additionally, Cameron engaged in discussions with Tanzila Norbayeva, the Chairman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis, focusing on joint initiatives in green economy development and collaborative efforts to address the impacts of climate change. He commended Uzbekistan's progress in promoting human rights, particularly in implementing principles of decent work, advancing gender equality, and combating family violence.
During his visit, Cameron revealed the creation of a fund in Central Asia aimed at investing in promising regional companies, emphasizing the contribution of British expertise. Additionally, he announced intentions to increase funding for Chevening scholarships, enabling foreign students to study at British universities, and to dedicate £50 mn to regional development over the next three years.
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