An Edinburgh-born diplomat has been given the role of ambassador for the United Kingdom to Azerbaijan after working in the Foreign Office since 1999.
Fergus Auld is no stranger to diplomatic relations. He was a volunteer who helped victims during the 2004 tsunami which affected countries on the perimeter of the Indian ocean and was based in Moscow when Russia invaded the Crimea.
The 49-year-old, proud kilt-wearing Scot has already made a positive impression on the President of Azerbaijan, IIham Aliyev as the UK seeks to end pressure on Vladamir Putin to end his invasion of Ukraine.
READ MORE - Huge new Edinburgh village planned near Fort Kinnaird with over 200 homes
President Aliyev visited the United Kingdom recently and met with Fergus to recognise him as ambassador to the oil and gas wealthy nation. During this meeting Fergus wore a kilt for the occasion, he said: “President Aliyev was completely poker faced when I bounded up in the kilt, but the pictures generated a lot of reaction in Azerbaijan.”
“It is amazing how popular the film Braveheart is here. I’ve met people who’ve said they’ve watched it 15 times. As Ambassador, it is important I build on our strong links with Azerbaijan, as the UK uses its global influence to tackle issues like Ukraine, the energy crisis and climate change.”
Alongside recognising Fergus ambassador to his country, President Aliyev’s visit to the UK he signed a condolence book in memory of HM the Queen. Fergus said: “He had met the Queen in 1998 and 2009. I mentioned the broad smile on Her Majesty’s face.
“He spoke fondly about her warm hospitality and ability to put guests at ease. Sadly, that was one of the Queen’s final public appearances.”
“Another thing that has helped me has been spending a year studying Azerbaijani before taking on this role.”
The United Kingdom and Azerbaijan have been working closely in recent years. The British Embassy in Baku recently supported a visit by Azerbaijan’s Energy Minister, Parviv Shahbazoz; to a floating windfarm in Fife and in May the Minister will also visit the Energy Export Conference in Aberdeen to help the country’s drive to transition to greener energy.
READ NEXT -
Ex Edinburgh Hibs player left penniless after dream foreign transfer became a nightmare
Edinburgh skaters play lively game of ice hockey on frozen pond
Edinburgh locals wait in huge queue to get up close to Christmas Coca-Cola truck
Edinburgh dad sleeping on couch for months in 'freezing' flat due to cracked window
Family miss out on trip of a lifetime due to 'surname error' on plane tickets
