Author Thomas Harding is in the process of doing what the descendants of many Holocaust victims would find unimaginable: applying for a German passport.

When Britain voted to leave the European Union in June, the 48-year-old had to make a decision that was never necessary before the referendum - should he request the restoration of German citizenship stripped from his family by the Third Reich? He needed only a few hours to make up his mind.

“This is more than the practical, this is also about something for us, or for me, it's about something spiritual, it's about reconciliation,’’ he said. “It's about acknowledging the truth of the horrors of the past but also about trying to build a better future together, and as a European, that's what I hope to do."

It is one of the complicated realities of the UK’s pending divorce from the EU that many Britons whose ancestors came from other parts of Europe are claiming citizenship in other member states so they can retain ties to the Continent. Inquiries about passports are up at the German, Austrian, French and Polish embassies.

Some want to retain the ability to travel easily from country to country or maintain business ties. Others just want to be part of the European Union.

But for Jews whose families fled Germany to escape Adolf Hitler, the decision means re-examining long-held beliefs about history and the country that once persecuted them.

The children and grandchildren of Jewish refugees are taking advantage of a law that allows the descendants of people persecuted by the Nazis to regain the citizenship that was stripped from them in the 1930s and 1940s. More than 400 Britons have sought information about the law since the June 23 referendum, and German authorities have received at least 100 formal applications, compared with about 20 annually in recent years.

Michael Newman, chief executive of the Association of Jewish Refugees, said Brexit has fuelled interest in German citizenship, but it’s hard to know how many people will actually apply. Jews are now able to consider such a step because Germany has made huge strides in addressing the past, creating a culture of remembrance, he said.

“No amount of blood money or memorials will satisfy or suffice for some people but in terms of addressing its past and owning up to it and looking into things, it's done much that many other countries haven't,’’ said Newman.

Many of those seeking restoration of their citizenship don’t intend to live in Germany, but want the freedom to travel and work in EU nations.

Ben Lewis, a 49-year-old documentary filmmaker, is among those who would like to regain German citizenship.

Lewis, whose film and production company has worked for years on the continent, sees the potential of Brexit as an abomination, particularly the anti-immigrant sentiment that influenced many people to vote to leave.

“I just want to take a firm stance, a documented stance etched in acid on stone, that I object to Brexit," he said.

The decision for many might have been prompted by Brexit, but had been years in the making for some. Harding, for one, has long been coming to terms with his German past, a journey documented in part in his book, “The House by the Lake.’’

The way Harding sees it, Germany is now showing leadership by taking in over a million refugees.

As the result of the EU referendum became clear on the morning of June 24, Harding was on the phone to the German embassy to inquire about citizenship.

It’s logical, he says, for Jews to cling to the EU, which was created to build international links that would make another European war impossible.

“It was much less about saying goodbye to Britain than saying hello to Europe," he said.

London - 5 October 2016

1. Pan down from German and European Union flags to entrance of German Embassy in London

2. Various of flags

3. Mid of author Thomas Harding sitting on grass looking at passport that belonged to his German Jewish grandfather

4. Close of Harding's face

5. Various of passport

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Thomas Harding, author, in the process of applying for restoration of German passport following Brexit vote:

"This is more than the practical, this is also about something for us, or for me, it's about something spiritual, it's about reconciliation. It's about acknowledging the truth of the horrors of the past but also about trying to build a better future together, and as a European, that's what I hope to do."

7. Cutaway passport and photo of Harding's grandparents

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Thomas Harding, author, in the process of applying for restoration of German passport following Brexit vote:

"I think what has happened to me is I have become much more open towards Germany and at the same time following Brexit, I realised that there was going to be a very real loss. It was likely that me and my family would be unable to live and work in 27 countries in Europe and given the fact that I didn't have to give up my British passport, I didn't have to live in Germany by necessity or learn German, show I could speak German, it didn't seem like there was anything to lose and so for me, it was much less about saying goodbye to Britain than saying hello to Europe."

9. Harding flicking through passport

10. Mid of exhibit of Jewish Museum in London

11. Soft focus, yellow star that Jews were forced to wear in Nazi Germany

12. Set up of documentary maker Ben Lewis

13. Close of Lewis looking at museum exhibit

14. SOUNDBITE (English) Ben Lewis, documentary maker, in the process of applying for restoration of German passport following Brexit vote:

"Well, it was immediately after Brexit I thought the restoration of German citizenship was something that I wanted, because before Brexit I was part of the EU anyway. I was a European, I was deeply engaged in German culture from the age of 14 when I first started learning German, and in a way my whole life was orientated around creating links around rebuilding, if you like, as a Jew, links between myself, in Britain and German culture."

15. Cutaway hands

16. SOUNDBITE (English) Ben Lewis, documentary maker, in the process of applying for restoration of German passport following Brexit vote:

"I have many motivations for wanting to get German citizenship. I am thinking a lot about my child, I want him to have the same advantages in life that I had, you know, to be able to play on a European field. I've worked all over Europe in my life. I love Berlin - I could imagine living there. Perhaps that would happen in the future. And I just want to take a firm stance, a documented stance, something etched in acid on stone, that I object to Brexit."

17. Set up shot of Michael Newman, chief executive of the Association of Jewish Refugees

18. Newman typing

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Newman, chief executive of the Association of Jewish Refugees:

"Well I think this is uppermost in the minds of the government that they are not going to walk away from any post Holocaust responsibilities and I think most people would look at what Germany has done since the Second World War in terms of addressing its past, the culture of remembrance, the educational resources, it's committed to teaching about the holocaust and see that what it has done has been leading the way and if you look at issues like restitution, archive, opening archives, documentation centres, even opening and creating museums, they are, they're leading the way in many respects in dealing with their history. It remains of course very subjective because no amount of blood, money or memorials will satisfy or suffice for some people but in terms of addressing its past and owning up to it and looking into things, it's done much that many other countries haven't."

20. Wide of German Embassy entrance for public

21. Close of entrance

22. Sign reading 'Welcome' in German and English

Financial entrepreneur Gina Miller's lawsuit begins with a simple question: can Prime Minister Theresa May start negotiating Britain's exit from the European Union without an act of Parliament?

But the suit, described by some legal experts as the U.K.'s most important constitutional case in decades, seeks to answer much bigger questions about where power lies in this nation's democracy and whether rights can be revoked without a vote of lawmakers.

May says the June 23 referendum on EU membership gave her a mandate to take Britain out of the bloc and that discussing the details of her strategy with Parliament would weaken the government's negotiating position.

May has announced plans to invoke Article 50 of the EU treaty, starting talks on Britain's future relationship with the single market, by the end March.

The lawsuit, hearings on which begin Thursday at the High Court in London, could derail those plans.

Miller, 51, runs SCM Private, an online investment manager, and is also a lawyer.

Miller, who supported the campaign to stay in the EU, says the case isn't about blocking Brexit - or keeping Britain in the EU.

Andrew Blick, an expert on the Magna Carta at King's College London, said the case involves an argument that dates back almost 400 years to the English Civil War as to whether power ultimately rests in the executive or Parliament.

Underscoring the importance of the case, May put Attorney General Jeremy Wright in charge of the legal team fighting the suit, making the announcement with a flourish at the recent Conservative Party Conference as she underscored she would "make a success'' of taking the country out of the EU.

Wright argues that the suit is an attempt to put a legal obstacle in the way of enacting the referendum result.

At issue is May's attempt to use Royal Prerogative, historic powers officially held by the queen, to trigger Article 50.

The powers, which have in reality passed to politicians, enable decisions to be made without a vote of Parliament and cover matters as grave as declaring war or as basic as issuing passports.

Historically, Royal Prerogative has also applied to foreign affairs and the negotiation of treaties.

Miller argues that Parliament should decide whether to invoke Article 50 - after a full debate and vote - because the rights of individuals are being revoked in the process.

Freedom of movement, freedom of trade and freedom to vote in European elections are among the rights that will change.

Politically, though, there's growing cross-party pressure to give Parliament a say on Brexit strategy before Article 50 is invoked.

A motion debated Wednesday in the House of Commons demands that lawmakers have a chance to "properly scrutinize,'' the Brexit strategy before the formal exit process begins.

AP TELEVISION

London - 12 October 2016

1. Big Ben

2. Union flag

3. Big Ben and Parliament

4. Close of Parliament

5. Close of 'Out' sign

6. Pan down of Parliament

7. Set up of Gina Miller, entrepreneur, bringing lawsuit against the Government over Article 50

8. Mid of Miller

9. Close of hands

10. SOUNDBITE (English) Gina Miller, entrepreneur, bringing lawsuit against the Government over Article 50:

"I think it's about whether or not the government can use this ancient Royal prerogative. Because if we can park Article 50 for a moment and Brexit, we have an unwritten, uncoded constitution, which means that if the precedent is set, that a government can bypass parliament, so an MP and a group of ministers, a handful of ministers, can decide your rights and my rights then I think we've rolled back the clock 400 years when it comes to sovereignty and democracy. And that to me is a much much bigger worry than Brexit. I think we go back almost to a dictatorship."

11. Cutaway

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Gina Miller, entrepreneur, bringing lawsuit against the Government over Article 50:

"Our parliament is sovereign. And the idea that Mrs May said that we're going to get back sovereignty, actually Parliament is sovereign and it is only Parliament that can bestow and take away people's rights. And by triggering Article 50 there will inevitably be a reduction in people's rights. So we're going to the courts, and I think the courts need to rule on the legal certainty of how we can leave the EU."

13. Wide of Royal Courts of Justice, which houses High Court

14. Soft focus Royal Courts of Justice sign

15. Tilt down of courts

16. Mid of courts

17. Set up shot of Dr Andrew Blick, Lecturer in Politics and Contemporary History, Kings College London

18. SOUNDBITE: (English) Dr Andrew Blick, Lecturer in Politics and Contemporary History, Kings College London:

"There is a kind of grey area, opened up whereby the government think first that they are bound to abide by the result of this referendum. Nothing was said about that in the legislation, but the government believe it's a binding result, that they have to go along with the leave verdict, and they also believe they have the sole power to put that verdict into action under an authority known as the Royal prerogative. Whether or not they really possess that power, whether they really can act unilaterally to take us out of the European Union, to trigger Article 50, of the treaty on the European Union, is what's being tested in the courts."

19. Royal Courts of Justice sign

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr Andrew Blick, Lecturer in Politics and Contemporary History, Kings College London:

"Even is something is legal, it doesn't mean that it's constitutional. Just because the government can behave in this way, some people in the court and outside the court may be of the view that that doesn't mean it should behave in this way. And that, actually, whatever the law is in the end, constitutionally, parliament should be more involved in this than the government wants it to be."

21. Royal Courts of Justice sign

Small groups of protesters held rival demonstrations on Monday as judges inside the Supreme Court in London were hearing arguments as to whether the government had the right to leave Europe without parliamentary approval.

Britain's Supreme Court began hearing a landmark case on Monday that will decide who has the power to trigger the UK's exit from the European Union - the government or Parliament.

The legal battle has major constitutional implications for the balance of power between the legislature and the executive, and has inflamed Britain's already raw wound over how and whether to leave the EU.

Prime Minister Theresa May plans to trigger Article 50 of the EU's key treaty by the end of March, using centuries-old government powers known as royal prerogative.

The powers - traditionally held by the monarch but now used by politicians - enable decisions about joining or leaving international treaties to be made without a parliamentary vote.

London - 5 December 2016

1. Pro-Europe demonstration in front of Supreme Court

2. Tilt down of sign reading (English): "Stop Brexit fight racism and the scapegoating of immigrants. Defend freedom of movement."

3. Various of pro-Europe protesters chanting, holding banners

4. Pan from police to protesters in front of Supreme Court

5. Rival protest groups in front of Supreme Court, police officers at scene

6. Pro-Europe protesters shouting (English): "Brexit is racist, stop Brexit now!"

7. Smart phone screen showing protesters

8. Rival protesters discussing

9. Pro-Brexit protesters, woman waving Union flag

10. Man being led away by police

11. Policewoman

12. Supreme Court and protesters

UK Brexit negotiator David Frost arrived at the European Commission in Brussels on Wednesday to resume talks after EU and British negotiators failed to reach a breakthrough during a frantic all-night session.

The negotiating teams are set to continue seeking a compromise on the eve of Thursday's crucial EU summit.

An EU official, who asked not to be identified because the negotiations were still ongoing, said "discussions continued until late in the night and will continue today."

Thursday's EU leaders' summit comes just two weeks before Britain's scheduled departure date of Oct. 31.

Brussels - 16 October 2019

1. UK Brexit negotiator David Frost (on right as he walks in) arriving at European Commission

2. Cutaway of journalists

3. EU flags outside Commission

Britain's Nigel Farage and France's Marine Le Pen were Brussels on Tuesday to attend an extraordinary European Parliament session.

The two outspoken political proponents of getting out of the EU sounded a triumphant note, UKIP's Farage telling journalists he "didn't want a watered-down version" "backtracking" or "Norway plus."

France's National Front President Marine Le Pen meanwhile told AP that "the people can only gain from getting back their independence, a democratic process and control of their destiny."

European Union lawmakers are holding the emergency session to discuss the UK's unprecedented vote to leave the EU, and look set to call for Britain to trigger the exit process immediately.

A non-binding draft resolution drawn up for Tuesday's session says the process should be launched once Prime Minister David Cameron notifies the outcome of the British referendum to EU leaders.

Cameron is to share his views about the referendum and perhaps Britain's future at a summit in the Belgian city on Tuesday afternoon.

Britain's Nigel Farage and France's Marine Le Pen were Brussels on Tuesday to attend an extraordinary European Parliament session.

The two outspoken political proponents of getting out of the EU sounded a triumphant note, UKIP's Farage telling journalists he "didn't want a watered-down version" "backtracking" or "Norway plus."

France's National Front President Marine Le Pen meanwhile told AP that "the people can only gain from getting back their independence, a democratic process and control of their destiny."

European Union lawmakers are holding the emergency session to discuss the UK's unprecedented vote to leave the EU, and look set to call for Britain to trigger the exit process immediately.

A non-binding draft resolution drawn up for Tuesday's session says the process should be launched once Prime Minister David Cameron notifies the outcome of the British referendum to EU leaders.

Cameron is to share his views about the referendum and perhaps Britain's future at a summit in the Belgian city on Tuesday afternoon.

Brussels - 28 June 2016

1. British MEP Nigel Farage with reporters inside European Parliament

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Nigel Farage, MEP, Head of the UK Independence Party (UKIP):

"Well the next step is for us is to begin negotiations between the UK and the European Union as quickly as possible."

(Reporter's question: who do you think could be Prime Minister in Great Britain?)

"Anyone that supports Brexit and anyone that will honour the 17.5 million people that voted for us to leave. I don't want backtracking. I don't want a watered down version, I don't want Norway plus. I want my country to be independent and free. Let's get the relationship right, here and then, we can pursue our global ambitions."

(Reporter's question: what's wrong with Norway plus?)

"Norway's fine. Norway's fine for Norway but we're Britain. We are the biggest trading partner of the Eurozone. We're a massive net importer for the Eurozone. We can get a much better deal than Norway has."

3. Mid of Farage with reporters

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Nigel Farage, MEP, Head of the UK Independence Party:

"We decided to say 'no' to political union but we want to be good friends, good neighbours, good trading partners."

5. Mid of banner with European Parliament logo and reporters

6. Wide of main access corridor to Plenary room

7. SOUNDBITE (French) Marine Le Pen, MEP, President of the National Front party:

"I believe the consequences (of the Brexit) can only be positive despite the threats, the blackmailing, despite some attempts to put in place a strategy of chaos, the people can only gain from getting back their independence, a democratic process and control of their destiny."

8. Mid of MEPs and officials walking down corridor

9. SOUNDBITE (French) Marine Le Pen, MEP, President of the National Front party:

"First of all, they are going to change Prime Minister, chose a new government and Trigger article 50 in September. Then, they'll have two years to renegotiate the conditions of their relationship with the EU without being locked inside this same European Union."

10. Wide of Le Pen walking towards Plenary room

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Shildon, County Durham - 6 June 2017

1. UK Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson approaching lectern

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Boris Johnson, UK Foreign Secretary:

"I think you'll agree it's absolutely right that we all decided to continue with this campaign in spite of the appalling events in London. We cannot let our democracy be halted by terrorism."

++BLACK FRAMES++

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Boris Johnson, UK Foreign Secretary:

"It is a moment of hope and opportunity and I can assure you that there are plenty of people in Brussels and indeed some in this country who have spent night and day since June the 23rd dreaming, hoping, scheming and plotting that they will be able to reverse that decision. And I ask you do we want them to frustrate the will of the people?

++BLACK FRAMES++

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Boris Johnson, UK Foreign Secretary:

"Taking back control of our cash. Can you imagine Jeremy Corbyn having the grit and determination to take back control of the 10 billion (pounds) net, 20 billion gross, that we send to Brussels every year? Do you think he has the firmness of purpose to do it? A guy who sends out a signal to all would-be terrorists that he disapproves of shoot-to-kill, even when those terrorists are threatening unarmed civilians. A guy who preemptively informs any power that wishes to engage in nuclear blackmail that as our prime minister he, Corbyn, would not under any circumstances deploy Trident, so making a nonsense of our nuclear deterrent."

++BLACK FRAMES++

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Boris Johnson, UK Foreign Secretary:

"He has taken the side of just about every adversary this country has had in my lifetime. From the IRA to Hamas, from Soviet communism to General Galtieri for heaven's sake, and of course I don't mean to compare our European friends to any of those people, but it is psychologically impossible to imagine him having the grip or the firmness to get the right Brexit deal for this country. A Corbyn negotiating team would arrive in Brussels like a family of herbivores at the watering hole of the lions. They'd be eaten for breakfast."

++BLACK FRAMES++

6. SOUNDBITE (English) Boris Johnson, UK Foreign Secretary:

"We Conservatives took Britain into what was then called the Common Market not because we especially enjoyed the idea of losing our sovereignty, in fact we were always anxious about that, but because we are always, and have been, the true internationalists and when we joined in 1972 it felt as if being international meant being in the Common Market. Do you remember? And 45 years later it's time to do even more, it's time to lift our eyes to the horizons, to a wider horizon, and we believe it's this country's destiny to engage not just with our friends and partners in the EU (European Union) but with the whole of the rest of the world, the 93 percent of humanity that does not live in the EU, as well as those that do."

++BLACK FRAMES++

7. SOUNDBITE (English) Boris Johnson, UK Foreign Secretary:

"If we are to make the most of that opportunity then we need the right economic policies and it makes me shudder to think that we could be seriously about to elect a Corbyn-lead administration that would oppose destructive new taxes on businesses, on homes, on gardens, at the very moment, when we should be about to go forward with a great new global Britain. Corbyn would take us back to the 1970s, complete with a loony-left and union control."

++ENDS ON SOUNDBITE++

STORYLINE:

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the prospect of Labour Party chief Jeremy Corbyn becoming the country's next leader in the June 8 elections, makes him "shudder."

Johnson was addressing the Conservative Party supporters on Tuesday at a rally in County Durham, urging them to make a final push for victory in the upcoming general elections.

The foreign secretary said it was right to continue with the elections campaign, after a temporary halt following Saturday's terror attack in London in which seven people were killed and scores injured.

"We cannot let our democracy be halted by terrorism," Johnson said.

He said Brexit represents "a moment of hope and opportunity" for the country, adding there are plenty in Brussels and in the UK "who have spent night and day plotting to reverse the decision."

Johnson said only the Conservatives were "willing to stick up for the democratic will of the British people"

He said if Jeremy Corbyn was to lead the Brexit negotiations he would be "eaten for breakfast" by Brussels officials.

"A Labour negotiating team would arrive in Brussels like a family of herbivores at a watering hole of lions," Johnson said.

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The European Union needed reforms that would give more power to national parliaments, guarantee respect for European freedoms and ensure security under the pressure of a wave of migrants, leaders of the Visegrad Group of central European countries said on Thursday.

Leaders of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, or the V4, met in Warsaw to discuss the EU's prospects in the wake of Britain's decision to leave the bloc and ahead of an informal EU summit in September in Bratislava, Slovakia.

They agreed that Britain should remain a close partner of the EU, on terms that will be fair for all sides of the deal that will have to be negotiated as a result of Britain's decision.

Warsaw is also suggesting that Britain should be allowed to reconsider its decision to leave, the so-called Brexit.

Poland and countries in the region see a need for a new European treaty that would give more autonomy to EU member states, arguing that it would make membership more attractive and prevent other nations from leaving.

The European Union needed reforms that would give more power to national parliaments, guarantee respect for European freedoms and ensure security under the pressure of a wave of migrants, leaders of the Visegrad Group of central European countries said on Thursday.

Leaders of Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, or the V4, met in Warsaw to discuss the EU's prospects in the wake of Britain's decision to leave the bloc and ahead of an informal EU summit in September in Bratislava, Slovakia.

They agreed that Britain should remain a close partner of the EU, on terms that will be fair for all sides of the deal that will have to be negotiated as a result of Britain's decision.

Warsaw is also suggesting that Britain should be allowed to reconsider its decision to leave, the so-called Brexit.

Poland and countries in the region see a need for a new European treaty that would give more autonomy to EU member states, arguing that it would make membership more attractive and prevent other nations from leaving.

Warsaw - 21 July 2016

1. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban approaching Polish Prime Minister of Beata Szydlo

2. Orban and Szydlo

3. Orban and Szydlo shaking hands

4. Close of Szydlo's face

5. Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia approaching Szydlo

6. Cutaway of media

7. Fico and Szydlo shaking hands

8. Czech Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka approaching Szydlo

9. Various of Szydlo and Sobotka shaking hands

10. Sobotka, Orban and Fico walking into the meeting room

11. Various of officials in meeting room

12. Meeting room door is closed

13. Ministers approach microphones for news conference

14. SOUNDBITE (Polish) Beata Szydlo, Polish Prime Minister:

"We agreed that the European Union is a value for us, Europeans. It is a value that we should guard, we should develop, but we should also change."

15. Wide of news conference

16. SOUNDBITE (Polish) Beata Szydlo, Polish Prime Minister:

"We agreed that the voice of the citizens of Great Britain is a warning signal. The union must undergo reforms. We should not be afraid of it. Such reforms that will make it stronger, more flexible, especially closer to the actual needs of associated states and citizens."

17. Various of media

18. SOUNDBITE (Hungarian) Viktor Orban, Hungarian Prime Minister:

"We are in this moment in history, we, the citizens of Europe, in which, due to the United Kingdom's exit from the union, the union has lost its global role. The European Union without the British will never be a global player. It is becoming a regional player."

19. Pan over news conference

20. SOUNDBITE (Hungarian) Viktor Orban, Hungarian Prime Minister:

"We do not want to give up our sovereignty; we do not want to give up the defence of our borders; we do not want to give up the right to decide with whom we will live in Hungary."

21. Cutaway of news conference

22. SOUNDBITE (Slovakian) Robert Fico, Prime Minister of Slovakia:

"We have the ability to organize a summit on 16 September (EU member states in Bratyslava), which I personally expect to start the process to respond to a new offer for European societies. We will pay attention not only to the strengths of the European Union, but also to its faults and weaknesses. That offer should be attractive to those societies that lose trust in the European project."

23. Wide of minister walking away from microphones

South Korea said on Tuesday that it respects the decision made by British citizens for the UK to leave the European Union.

South Korean foreign ministry spokesman Cho June-hyuck made the comments at a regular ministry briefing, adding that Seoul will be monitoring closely the impact of the referendum result on a local and global level.

Cho also commented on a joint statement released by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin following their bilateral talks on Saturday, in which the two countries clarified their strong opposition to North Korea's nuclear and missile development, saying it was welcomed by South Korea.

As for China and Russia's opposition to the US deployment of THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Aerial Defence) to South Korea, Cho said that Seoul was considering THAAD deployment only for the purpose of protecting the lives and safety of its people.

South Korea said on Tuesday that it respects the decision made by British citizens for the UK to leave the European Union.

South Korean foreign ministry spokesman Cho June-hyuck made the comments at a regular ministry briefing, adding that Seoul will be monitoring closely the impact of the referendum result on a local and global level.

Cho also commented on a joint statement released by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin following their bilateral talks on Saturday, in which the two countries clarified their strong opposition to North Korea's nuclear and missile development, saying it was welcomed by South Korea.

As for China and Russia's opposition to the US deployment of THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Aerial Defence) to South Korea, Cho said that Seoul was considering THAAD deployment only for the purpose of protecting the lives and safety of its people.

Seoul – 28 June 2016

1. South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Cho June-hyuck arriving for briefing

2. Wide of briefing

3. Journalists at briefing

4. Cho at lectern

5. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Cho June-hyuck, South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman:

"First of all, our government respects the decision made by the British citizens. Our government is paying close attention to the local and global impacts of Britain's decision to leave the EU, as well as the impact on our bilateral relations. Since it will take about two years for negotiations with the EU even after the country officially notifies the European Union of its withdrawal, the South Korean government will cope (with Brexit) by monitoring the state of negotiations between the UK and EU and will meticulously analyse the short, mid and long-term impacts (of Brexit) on politics and the economy during the period (of negotiations)."

6. Journalists at briefing

7. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Cho June-hyuck, South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman:

"The joint statement (announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin after the bilateral talks) includes the part saying the two countries sternly oppose North Korea's nuclear and missile development. Our government welcomes the joint statement. Also, we welcome that China and Russia publicly promised at a summit level to fully implement the Security Council Resolution 2270."

8. Journalists at briefing

9. SOUNDBITE (Korean) Cho June-hyuck, South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman:

"(As for China and Russia's position on THAAD which was stated in the same joint statement,) our government's stance is that we are considering the deployment of THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Aerial Defence) at US Forces in Korea for the pure purpose of protecting lives and the safety of our citizens and national security from Pyongyang's threats, amidst the situation in which North Korea continues to heighten its overall nuclear missile capabilities as can be seen from the North's Musudan missile launch on June 22nd."

10. Wide of briefing

French President Francois Hollande says the European Union (EU) needs to focus on common defence and security, following Britain's decision to leave the bloc.

Hollande was speaking on Monday at a news conference alongside German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi.

The news conference, which was held on the Italian aircraft carrier Garibaldi, followed talks on charting a course for the EU following Britain's decision to leave.

The Garibaldi coordinates the EU's migrant rescue operation.

Monday's mini-summit will serve as a warmup for an EU-wide summit in Bratislava in September designed to chart the EU's post-Brexit way forward.

It follows an initial three-way huddle by Renzi, Merkel and Holland in Berlin in the days immediately following the June 23 British referendum.

POOL

Ventotene - 22 August 2016

1. Various of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi and French President Francois Hollande arriving at news conference

2. SOUNDBITE (French) Francois Hollande, French President:

"That's why we wanted, Angela, Matteo and Myself, gather here. We already did it in Berlin to prepare the Bratislava summit following Britain's decision to leave the European Union so we can give a new impetus (to the EU). This impetus is threefold; First, the issue of security. Europe must be a protective frame and to have security there needs to be borders can be guarded and that's the reason why we have worked and we are going to continue working to reinforce even more border guard, a coast guard for the European Union. We also want, although important steps have already been completed, more coordination when it comes to the fight against terrorism and including controls of certain people within Shengen, to ensure that our files can be used by all and to control certain means of communication. We want access to control those who use a number of network or website to spread jihadist propaganda and radicalisation. I insisted on defence as we also want more coordination, additional resources and power projection."

++SOUNDBITE ENDS ON WIDE OF HOLLANDE++

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Sofia - 30 June 2016

1. Presidents of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko (left) and Bulgaria Rosen Plevneliev arrive at the welcoming ceremony at the Tomb of the unknown soldier

2. Honour guard band playing during the official ceremony

3. Various of Poroshenko along with Plevneliev reviewing honour guard

4. Poroshenko talking with Plevneliev

5. Various of honour guards marching in front of the officials

6. Ukrainian and Bulgarian flags

7. Ukraine's delegation cars near the Presidency

8. SOUNDBITE (Ukrainian) Petro Poroshenko, Ukrainian President

"Some believe that Brexit is a destructive phenomenon. I'm not one of these politicians. On the contrary, Brexit is challenging, throwing down the gauntlet to the European Union. I am convinced that the European Union will become more mobilised, more powerful, will find a worthy response to those populists who are reckless. When I was asked what Ukraine wants from the EU, I replied very simply: 'We want a strong and united Europe that will show its solidarity with Ukraine. It is very important to overcome the mood of eurosceptics, because Europe can only be strong when it is united."

9. Wide of Plevneliev and Poroshenko, UPSOUND: (Bulgarian) Rosen Plevneliev, Bulgarian President: "The support for Ukraine is not just support for a friendly country. It is support for the principles in which we believe."

10. SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian) Rosen Plevneliev Bulgarian President:

"We are working to increase the support for Ukraine under the Comprehensive Package of Assistance for Ukraine. This Comprehensive Package of Assistance will be approved, we are sure, during the summit in Warsaw in just a few days."

11. Presidents leaving the Press conference hall

STORYLINE:

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko said on Thursday he believes Brexit is not a threat to his country's aspirations to join the European Union.

He said that Kiev wants a strong and unified Europe which will show solidarity with Ukraine

During a joint press conference with Rosen Plevneliev, Bulgarian President, Poroshenko stressed the importance of overcoming euroscepticism.

Plevneliev called for an increase in NATO's support of Ukraine.

The military alliance will gather for a summit in Warsaw in early July.

NATO defence ministers have already approved an expanded assistance package for Ukraine, whose military forces are battling a Russian-backed insurgency in the country's east.

The military conflict between government forces and Russia-backed rebels has killed more than 9,000 people and left parts of the Ukrainian industrial heartland in ruin since fighting broke out there in April 2014.

===========================================================

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

It's been 25 years since the Penallta Colliery fell silent: the river once black with soot is now green and nature has taken back its place in this valley in South Wales.

Eddie Cullen grew-up here in a family of miners and remembers the decline of the town and the sorrow at seeing the heart of his community torn away.

"Everyone was frightened when the pit shut," he says.

With dire poverty and high unemployment rates, South Wales has benefited from generous grants and financing schemes from the European Union to rejuvenate the area's economy.

Yet on 23 June - the day of the UK referendum - the region voted massively to leave the EU.

The modern highway connecting Brynmawr with other former coal-mining towns in the Valleys region of South Wales was partly funded by the European Union, replacing a three-lane road known for its many deadly accidents.

In Abbw Vale, where 62 percent voted out, EU funds have also been used to improve railway lines, open museums, schools and training centres built where the steel works once stood.

Paul Thomas, who voted 'remain', worries Brexit could jeopardise these achievements.

"There was going to be more development but we don't know what's going to happen now," he says.

But back in the old city centre retired truck driver John Thompson doesn't agree, saying that "there's been no benefit to this area at all"

"Leave" campaigners say many of the EU projects are gimmicky and haven't led to any tangible improvements for people.

Also, they consider the EU money as British money to begin with, since overall Britain contributes more money than it gets back from the EU.

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies, was one politician to go against the party's UK leader, Prime Minister David Cameron, and vote for Britain to quit the EU

Davies used the metaphor of an out-of-control car to describe the EU, saying that people used the referendum to effectively say "I want to get out, the way this car is driven, we're going to hit a brick wall."

But for one Welsh company, Brexit was the brick wall.

In Pontypridd, a town climbing up misty hillsides north of Cardiff, Jenny Hughes said her education consultancy firm lost three potential contracts the day after the referendum as European partners pulled out.

Even though Wales receives hundreds of millions of pounds annually in EU funding, more than half of the Welsh electorate voted for Britain to leave the EU.

Puzzling many analysts, the "leave" vote was strongest in deprived post-industrial areas that have arguably benefited the most from EU support.

"Wales might have shot itself in the foot," says Ed Poole, lecturer in politics at Cardiff University, explaining that Wales has been one of the biggest net beneficiaries of being in the European Union.

A study he co-authored before the vote estimated that Wales receives a net annual benefit of 245 million (British) pounds (327 million US dollars) from the EU budget, or about 79 pounds (105 US dollars) per head.

That compares with a net contribution of 151 pounds (201 US dollars) per head for all of the United Kingdom.

It's possible, Poole says, that some voters didn't fully understand the role of EU funds in supporting their communities - or chose to ignore it.

It's been 25 years since the Penallta Colliery fell silent: the river once black with soot is now green and nature has taken back its place in this valley in South Wales.

Eddie Cullen grew-up here in a family of miners and remembers the decline of the town and the sorrow at seeing the heart of his community torn away.

"Everyone was frightened when the pit shut," he says.

With dire poverty and high unemployment rates, South Wales has benefited from generous grants and financing schemes from the European Union to rejuvenate the area's economy.

Yet on 23 June - the day of the UK referendum - the region voted massively to leave the EU.

The modern highway connecting Brynmawr with other former coal-mining towns in the Valleys region of South Wales was partly funded by the European Union, replacing a three-lane road known for its many deadly accidents.

In Abbw Vale, where 62 percent voted out, EU funds have also been used to improve railway lines, open museums, schools and training centres built where the steel works once stood.

Paul Thomas, who voted 'remain', worries Brexit could jeopardise these achievements.

"There was going to be more development but we don't know what's going to happen now," he says.

But back in the old city centre retired truck driver John Thompson doesn't agree, saying that "there's been no benefit to this area at all"

"Leave" campaigners say many of the EU projects are gimmicky and haven't led to any tangible improvements for people.

Also, they consider the EU money as British money to begin with, since overall Britain contributes more money than it gets back from the EU.

Welsh Conservative leader Andrew RT Davies, was one politician to go against the party's UK leader, Prime Minister David Cameron, and vote for Britain to quit the EU

Davies used the metaphor of an out-of-control car to describe the EU, saying that people used the referendum to effectively say "I want to get out, the way this car is driven, we're going to hit a brick wall."

But for one Welsh company, Brexit was the brick wall.

In Pontypridd, a town climbing up misty hillsides north of Cardiff, Jenny Hughes said her education consultancy firm lost three potential contracts the day after the referendum as European partners pulled out.

Even though Wales receives hundreds of millions of pounds annually in EU funding, more than half of the Welsh electorate voted for Britain to leave the EU.

Puzzling many analysts, the "leave" vote was strongest in deprived post-industrial areas that have arguably benefited the most from EU support.

"Wales might have shot itself in the foot," says Ed Poole, lecturer in politics at Cardiff University, explaining that Wales has been one of the biggest net beneficiaries of being in the European Union.

A study he co-authored before the vote estimated that Wales receives a net annual benefit of 245 million (British) pounds (327 million US dollars) from the EU budget, or about 79 pounds (105 US dollars) per head.

That compares with a net contribution of 151 pounds (201 US dollars) per head for all of the United Kingdom.

It's possible, Poole says, that some voters didn't fully understand the role of EU funds in supporting their communities - or chose to ignore it.

Hengoad - 29 June 2016

1. Various of abandoned coal mine

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Eddie Cullen, excavator driver:

"At first, everybody was frightened when the pit (coal mine) shut, but life has got to go on and we've still done well. There has been a lot of unemployment in Wales, but we've just got to travel further for the work, like me."

3. Cutaway of dog

4. SOUNDBITE (English) Eddie Cullen, excavator driver:

"Everybody has just had enough, you know. They want their identity back as a country, you know, rather than being run by people from outside the country."

5. Grafiti on abandoned coal mine reading (English) "Don't steal our heritage."

6. Various of abandoned coal mine

Near Brynmawr - 30 June 2016

7. Various of road sign indicating EU financing for the motorway

8. Traffic on motorway

Abbw Vale - 30 June 2016

9. Tilt down on piece of machinery from the old steel works that previously occupied site

10. Various of new college partially financed by the EU

11. Various of new recreational centre partially financed by the EU

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Paul Thomas, occupational therapist:

"My dad worked at the steelworks. He used to come home and tell us when we were kids that he'd have to use a push bike to go from one end of the factory to the other end of the factory. Sadly it's gone now, but with the EU funding we've got the leisure centre now, we've got the college, we've got the school, we've got the hospital. There was going to be more development here, but we don't know what's going to happen now."

Near Brynmawr - 30 June 2016

13. Various of the town

14. Street in centre of town with sign reading (English) "Vote Leave."

15. Close of Welsh flag

16. SOUNDBITE (English) John Thompson, retired truck driver:

"I would say no. We haven't seen no benefit to this area at all. They do leave us a road now as you know, you've seen the sign, the European sign on it, but what you've got to think about is: they don't give us nothing. It's our money, part of our money coming back to us. We've given them the money and they just send some back to us. They don't give us nothing really."

Cardiff - 29 June 2016

17. View over Cardiff Bay with National Theatre Wales in foreground

18. Close of sign reading (English and Welsh) "National Assembly for Wales."

19. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Conservative leader:

"Well, it's British money in the first place. It goes out there, and we leave 50 percent of that money out there and 50 percent comes back. So that's the narrative here. We are all for embracing cooperation with other countries, we are all for working as allies in national security and self-defence, but there comes a point where self-determination has to come into this as well."

20. Various of Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Conservative leader

21. SOUNDBITE (English) Andrew RT Davies, Welsh Conservative leader:

"Very often, these schemes will seem to be managed by elites and ultimately not delivering for the communities that were supposed to benefit, and so people actually used the opportunity of the referendum to say 'whoa, stop the car, I want to get out, the way this car is driven, we're going to hit a brick wall."

Pontypridd - 29 June 2016

22. Various of Jenny Hughes, co-founder of Pontydysgu, a Welsh educational research institute, looking at the company website

23. SOUNDBITE (English) Jenny Hughes, co-founder of Pontydysgu:

"So, all of a sudden, we personally can't tender for anymore, but more particularly, our partners or consortia that we work with are saying now, 'well, actually we don't want to work with you' - they do want to work with us but they don't feel they can because they don't know what's going to happen."

24. Hughes at her desk

Cardiff - 29 June 2016

25. Various of Ed Poole, lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Cardiff University, at his desk

26. SOUNDBITE (English) Ed Poole, lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Cardiff University:

"I would say that unfortunately, in the long term, Wales might have shot itself in the foot on an economic basis."

27. Cutaway

28. SOUNDBITE (English) Ed Poole, lecturer in Politics and International Relations at Cardiff University:

"It's not just the structural funds that benefit the poorest areas in Wales - that's to the tune of about 400 million (British) pounds (534 million US dollars) per year. It's also the agricultural policy, which is very specifically supporting small scale businesses, which is Wales' specialism because of the topography of Wales. It's about 260 million (pounds, 347 million US dollars) per year, and it's also access to the single market."

Merthyr Tydfil - 30 June 2016

29. Various of open-pit mine and surrounding landscape

RESTRICTIONS SUMMARY: AP CLIENTS ONLY

SHOTLIST

AP TELEVISION – AP CLIENTS ONLY

Bratislava - 15 September 2016

1. President of the European Council Donald Tusk arrives and approaches cameras

2. Cutaway of camera

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Tusk, President of the European Council:

"For sure, we haven't come to Bratislava to comfort each other, or even less, to deny the real challenges we face. In this particular moment in the history of our community, after the vote in the UK, the only thing that makes sense is to have sober and brutally honest assessment of the situation. What we need today is an optimistic scenario for the future, I have no doubt. But, it requires a realistic diagnosis of the causes of Brexit and its political consequences for all Europe. I think one thing must be absolutely clear here in Bratislava, and that is that we can't start our discussion here tomorrow with this kind of blissful conviction that nothing is wrong and that everything was and is OK. I am absolutely sure that we have to assure here in Bratislava and also after our meeting, our citizens, that we have learned the lesson from Brexit, and that we are able to bring back stability, and a sense of security and effective protection. I hope that the so-called 'Bratislava road map' I will present tomorrow will move us in this direction. It's true that Europe has been recently shaken by all kinds of crises but at the same time, it's my personal feeling, I think best motto for Bratislava meeting is that - we must not let these crises go to waste. After my consultations with the leaders, and as you may know, I have talked to all of them in the last two weeks, and I am absolutely sure that no one thinks otherwise and this is our hope."

4. Tusk talks to media

5. SOUNDBITE (English) Donald Tusk, President of the European Council:

"I am absolutely sure that we need the same vision. What we need today in Europe is first of all good cooperation, solidarity, political will to cooperate among member states. This is the first political condition to achieve anything in Europe. And it's also my experience after two years in Brussels but at the same time, we need very effective institutions, I have no doubt, and believe me, with Jean-Claude Juncker, we are like one fist, no problems." ++SHOT CONTINUES++

6. Tusk walking away

STORYLINE

The member nations of the European Union must remain united and learn from crises like the Brexit, EU Council President Donald Tusk told reporters in Bratislava on Thursday.

Tusk was in the Slovakian capital to attend a summit of EU leaders.

Losing a member for the first time - a financial powerhouse at that - would be difficult to swallow at the best of times.

But Brexit comes on top of a refugee emergency that EU nations simply cannot agree how to manage.

Economic woes weigh heavily too.

Greece's place in the euro single currency has been called into question, and created a major rift between pro-austerity countries led by Germany and countries with more social-minded governments.

Spain and Portugal face the threat of fines for failing to bring their budgets into line while France has avoided penalties, creating more strains.

Meanwhile extremist attacks in Paris, Brussels and Germany combined with the lack of intelligence-sharing between member countries have fuelled the fears of citizens for their safety and undermined confidence that the EU can provide a solution.

Against this backdrop, Tusk is hoping for an "honest assessment" of how the EU got itself into this fundamental political quagmire where distrust has replaced half a century of optimism as the EU expanded from a core of a half-dozen west European neighbours to a wealthy group of 28 nations making up the world's largest trading bloc.

As he chairs the summit, Tusk will be counting on frank, even blunt exchanges.

The one-day Bratislava summit should be the first in a number of confidence-building meetings where a roadmap should be set up to culminate in a March summit in the Italian capital when the 60th anniversary of the EU's founding Treaty of Rome will be marked - or, in the best of circumstances, celebrated.

===========================================================

Clients are reminded:

(i) to check the terms of their licence agreements for use of content outside news programming and that further advice and assistance can be obtained from the AP Archive on: Tel +44 (0) 20 7482 7482 Email: info@aparchive.com

(ii) they should check with the applicable collecting society in their Territory regarding the clearance of any sound recording or performance included within the AP Television News service

(iii) they have editorial responsibility for the use of all and any content included within the AP Television News service and for libel, privacy, compliance and third party rights applicable to their Territory.

LEAD IN:

Torrential rain has halted the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, after organisers asked visitors to leave the site early due to safety concerns.

But the British summer weather is not the only thing casting gloom over the event.

The airshow is opening amid the economic uncertainty surrounding Britain's recent vote to leave the EU, with some analysts predicting fewer orders compared with the previous show in 2014.

STORY-LINE:

Black clouds loom over the Farnborough International Airshow and soon a torrential downpour drenches the site.

Organisers were forced to cancel the day's flying display and close the show early, saying they were concerned about safety.

Earlier in the day, the grey clouds were already building.

And aviation experts are predicting a similarly dreary outlook for commercial orders at the week-long aviation industry extravaganza.

Economic uncertainty and production backlogs mean many anticipate this year's event will not be able to compete with 2014's record-breaking level of orders and commitments.

According to Farnborough Airshow, 2014's event reached 204 billion US dollars in orders and commitments.

"I think there's a couple of issues at play," explains Richard Aboulafia, vice-president of the aviation industry analysts, Teal Group.

"One is that backlogs are enormous so if anything this should be a story about execution rather than bringing in additional orders. The second, of course, is just the macro-economic bleak outlook, we're waiting for that to impact the aviation business. It hasn't happened yet, but people are concerned."

Independent aerospace industry expert Howard Wheeldon is more upbeat, saying the expected drop in orders is part of the aviation industry's cycle.

"There'll certainly be fewer orders this year than there were two years ago at this show which in itself was lower than the show two years before. I think that you have to remember that the commercial aircraft industry has gone through a very big hiatus over the last 10 years. Orders doubled, it didn't just grow, they doubled, in some cases trebled. So we have to work our way through that," he says.

"The commercial aircraft manufacturers have got 10 years' worth of orders in hand, the manufacturers themselves have got a big issue in insuring that they can get those aircraft out of the door, with their component suppliers working alongside. So, it's probably no bad thing that we're going through a bit of a dip. It is still a cyclical industry, oil is still a determining factor, so there are many, many issues."

Rather than sales, analysts predict there'll be an increased focus on efficiency, as airlines attempt to squeeze everything they can from current aircraft in their fleets.

Boeing claim this new 737 MAX will deliver eight percent lower operating costs than its main competitor.

Early on Monday, China's Donghai Airlines and Boeing announced the airline intends to purchase 25 737 MAX 8s and five 787-9 Dreamliners in a deal valued at more than four billion US dollars.

"You know, fuel prices of course have come down quite a bit," says Aboulafia.

"But people are still scarred from all those years of very high fuel so they're trying to do their best to cope with that by adopting the latest and most efficient jet engines and of course squeezing as many people as they can into a given tube. These are the ways you cope with high jet prices, high fuel prices."

One area where industry experts believe there may be significant activity is in military and defence, including fighter jets and drones.

At a recent summit in Warsaw, NATO allies agreed to provide increased military support to countries in the Middle East and North Africa that are targets of Islamic extremism.

In the first big deal of the airshow, Britain signed a contract for nine new P-8A Poseidon military aircraft.

"I think defence is going to play a very big role in this show and that of course is the flipped of the global uncertainty we're seeing out there," says Aboulafia.

"It really is having a positive effect on defence spending, sad commentary on the times I suppose. You'll probably see some announcements, the problem is that defence, typically that doesn't show up in the form of actual sales activity at airshows, it's more just talks, agreements, things like that. It's not the same as airlines showing up and placing an order for 100 jets that actually means something."

The week-long event comes just weeks after Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

The pound hit a new 31-year record low and stock markets declined across Europe following the result.

Analysts believe it may not affect airlines' long-term plans and orders, but admit it may cause temporary uncertainty at an already difficult time.

"Long-term, I don't think it will be an issue," says Aboulafia.

"There'll be a way to negotiate the worst fears away from this. What is an issue is the uncertainty and there's so much uncertainty in the world, we don't need more, because of course with uncertainty you get companies baulking at investment decisions, like buying jets."

But Wheeldon says he does not expect Brexit to have a particular impact on the activity at this year's show.

"Brexit may be the first thing on people's minds here in the UK at the moment, but it's the last thing on the minds of those here who are thinking about placing orders," he says.

"They will place orders whether Brexit occurs or not, of course it's going to occur, it's not going to change anything, investment is long-term. Yes, there may be changes ten years from now, but it's not going to affect anything that's already here. So, I think it's the last thing on anybody's lips in terms of fearing that anything's going to happen. Though I accept there is a degree of uncertainty caused by it."

The Farnborough International Airshow takes place every two years and runs from 11 to 17 July 2016 - weather permitting.

LEAD IN:

Torrential rain has halted the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow, after organisers asked visitors to leave the site early due to safety concerns.

But the British summer weather is not the only thing casting gloom over the event.

The airshow is opening amid the economic uncertainty surrounding Britain's recent vote to leave the EU, with some analysts predicting fewer orders compared with the previous show in 2014.

STORY-LINE:

Black clouds loom over the Farnborough International Airshow and soon a torrential downpour drenches the site.

Organisers were forced to cancel the day's flying display and close the show early, saying they were concerned about safety.

Earlier in the day, the grey clouds were already building.

And aviation experts are predicting a similarly dreary outlook for commercial orders at the week-long aviation industry extravaganza.

Economic uncertainty and production backlogs mean many anticipate this year's event will not be able to compete with 2014's record-breaking level of orders and commitments.

According to Farnborough Airshow, 2014's event reached 204 billion US dollars in orders and commitments.

"I think there's a couple of issues at play," explains Richard Aboulafia, vice-president of the aviation industry analysts, Teal Group.

"One is that backlogs are enormous so if anything this should be a story about execution rather than bringing in additional orders. The second, of course, is just the macro-economic bleak outlook, we're waiting for that to impact the aviation business. It hasn't happened yet, but people are concerned."

Independent aerospace industry expert Howard Wheeldon is more upbeat, saying the expected drop in orders is part of the aviation industry's cycle.

"There'll certainly be fewer orders this year than there were two years ago at this show which in itself was lower than the show two years before. I think that you have to remember that the commercial aircraft industry has gone through a very big hiatus over the last 10 years. Orders doubled, it didn't just grow, they doubled, in some cases trebled. So we have to work our way through that," he says.

"The commercial aircraft manufacturers have got 10 years' worth of orders in hand, the manufacturers themselves have got a big issue in insuring that they can get those aircraft out of the door, with their component suppliers working alongside. So, it's probably no bad thing that we're going through a bit of a dip. It is still a cyclical industry, oil is still a determining factor, so there are many, many issues."

Rather than sales, analysts predict there'll be an increased focus on efficiency, as airlines attempt to squeeze everything they can from current aircraft in their fleets.

Boeing claim this new 737 MAX will deliver eight percent lower operating costs than its main competitor.

Early on Monday, China's Donghai Airlines and Boeing announced the airline intends to purchase 25 737 MAX 8s and five 787-9 Dreamliners in a deal valued at more than four billion US dollars.

"You know, fuel prices of course have come down quite a bit," says Aboulafia.

"But people are still scarred from all those years of very high fuel so they're trying to do their best to cope with that by adopting the latest and most efficient jet engines and of course squeezing as many people as they can into a given tube. These are the ways you cope with high jet prices, high fuel prices."

One area where industry experts believe there may be significant activity is in military and defence, including fighter jets and drones.

At a recent summit in Warsaw, NATO allies agreed to provide increased military support to countries in the Middle East and North Africa that are targets of Islamic extremism.

In the first big deal of the airshow, Britain signed a contract for nine new P-8A Poseidon military aircraft.

"I think defence is going to play a very big role in this show and that of course is the flipped of the global uncertainty we're seeing out there," says Aboulafia.

"It really is having a positive effect on defence spending, sad commentary on the times I suppose. You'll probably see some announcements, the problem is that defence, typically that doesn't show up in the form of actual sales activity at airshows, it's more just talks, agreements, things like that. It's not the same as airlines showing up and placing an order for 100 jets that actually means something."

The week-long event comes just weeks after Britain's vote to leave the European Union.

The pound hit a new 31-year record low and stock markets declined across Europe following the result.

Analysts believe it may not affect airlines' long-term plans and orders, but admit it may cause temporary uncertainty at an already difficult time.

"Long-term, I don't think it will be an issue," says Aboulafia.

"There'll be a way to negotiate the worst fears away from this. What is an issue is the uncertainty and there's so much uncertainty in the world, we don't need more, because of course with uncertainty you get companies baulking at investment decisions, like buying jets."

But Wheeldon says he does not expect Brexit to have a particular impact on the activity at this year's show.

"Brexit may be the first thing on people's minds here in the UK at the moment, but it's the last thing on the minds of those here who are thinking about placing orders," he says.

"They will place orders whether Brexit occurs or not, of course it's going to occur, it's not going to change anything, investment is long-term. Yes, there may be changes ten years from now, but it's not going to affect anything that's already here. So, I think it's the last thing on anybody's lips in terms of fearing that anything's going to happen. Though I accept there is a degree of uncertainty caused by it."

The Farnborough International Airshow takes place every two years and runs from 11 to 17 July 2016 - weather permitting.

AP Television

Farnborough, UK - 11 July 2016

1. Wide of black rain clouds over Farnborough International Airshow

2. Mid of fighter jet taxiing as rain starts to fall

3. Mid of pilot in cockpit as heavy rain falls

4. Wide of airshow under heavy rain with camera lens covered in raindrops

5. Tilt up to high shot of Farnborough International Airshow earlier in the day

6. Wide of Qatar Airways passenger aircraft nose

7. Flags flying in the wind

8. Various of Qatar Airways passenger aircraft

9. SOUNDBITE (English) Richard Aboulafia, Vice-President of Teal Group:

"I think there's a couple of issues at play. One is that backlogs are enormous, so if anything this should be a story about execution rather than bringing in additional orders. The second, of course, is just the macro-economic bleak outlook, we're waiting for that to impact the aviation business. It hasn't happened yet, but people are concerned."

10. Various of Airbus A380 passenger aircraft

11. Wide of airshow visitors

12. SOUNDBITE (English) Howard Wheeldon, Independent Aerospace Industry Expert:

"There'll certainly be fewer orders this year than there were two years ago at this show which in itself was lower than the show two years before. I think that you have to remember that the commercial aircraft industry has gone through a very big hiatus over the last 10 years. Orders doubled, it didn't just grow, they doubled, in some cases trebled. So we have to work our way through that. The commercial aircraft manufacturers have got 10 years' worth of orders in hand, the manufacturers themselves have got a big issue in insuring that they can get those aircraft out of the door, with their component suppliers working alongside. So, it's probably no bad thing that we're going through a bit of a dip. It is still a cyclical industry, oil is still a determining factor, so there are many, many issues."

13. Various of Qatar Airways executive jet

14. Various of Boeing 737 MAX

15. SOUNDBITE (English) Richard Aboulafia, Vice-President of Teal Group:

"You know, fuel prices of course have come down quite a bit, but people are still scarred from all those years of very high fuel, so they're trying to do their best to cope with that by adopting the latest and most efficient jet engines and of course squeezing as many people as they can into a given tube. These are the ways you cope with high jet prices, high fuel prices."

16. Tilt up to wide high shot of military and defence area of Farnborough International Airshow

17. Wide of Raytheon T-100 jet

18. Wide of two fighter jets

19. Wide of Royal Navy helicopter

20. SOUNDBITE (English) Richard Aboulafia, Vice-President of Teal Group:

"I think defence is going to play a very big role in this show and that of course is the flip side of the global uncertainty we're seeing out there. It really is having a positive effect on defence spending, sad commentary on the times I suppose. You'll probably see some announcements, the problem is that defence, typically that doesn't show up in the form of actual sales activity at airshows, it's more just talks, agreements, things like that. It's not the same as airlines showing up and placing an order for 100 jets that actually means something."

21. Pan left of military and defence area

22. Close of jet engines

23. Wide of military personnel standing on top of helicopter

24. Wide of military helicopter

25. SOUNDBITE (English) Richard Aboulafia, Vice-President of Teal Group:

"Long-term, I don't think it will be an issue. There'll be a way to negotiate the worst fears away from this. What is an issue is the uncertainty and there's so much uncertainty in the world, we don't need more, because of course with uncertainty you get companies baulking at investment decisions - like buying jets."

26. Wide of Bombardier C Series passenger aircraft

27. Wide of Iberia Regional passenger aircraft

28. SOUNDBITE (English) Howard Wheeldon, Independent Aerospace Industry Expert:

"Brexit may be the first thing on people's minds here in the UK at the moment, but it's the last thing on the minds of those here who are thinking about placing orders. They will place orders whether Brexit occurs or not, of course it's going to occur, it's not going to change anything, investment is long-term. Yes, there may be changes ten years from now, but it's not going to affect anything that's already here. So, I think it's the last thing on anybody's lips in terms of fearing that anything's going to happen. Though I accept there is a degree of uncertainty caused by it."

29. Wide of visitors walking through airshow, Airbus 737 MAX in background

LENGTH: 5:19

US Secretary of State John Kerry addressed the Oxford Union on Wednesday, speaking on a diverse range of issues, including corruption, Brexit and the problems that face Syria.

Kerry, who planned to attend UK Prime Minister David Cameron's anti-corruption conference on Thursday, appeared to give the prime minister some political cover by describing Nigeria's corruption as a problem its current leaders were working faithfully to address.

Fielding a question on Brexit, he reiterated US President Obama's stance that the US would be looking to make a trade agreement with 27 countries, not one.

Kerry also said that if Russia and Iran don't push Syrian President Bashar Assad to embrace their vision for Syria's future, the there ceasefire would completely fall apart.

US Secretary of State John Kerry addressed the Oxford Union on Wednesday, speaking on a diverse range of issues, including corruption, Brexit and the problems that face Syria.

Kerry, who planned to attend UK Prime Minister David Cameron's anti-corruption conference on Thursday, appeared to give the prime minister some political cover by describing Nigeria's corruption as a problem its current leaders were working faithfully to address.

Fielding a question on Brexit, he reiterated US President Obama's stance that the US would be looking to make a trade agreement with 27 countries, not one.

Kerry also said that if Russia and Iran don't push Syrian President Bashar Assad to embrace their vision for Syria's future, the there ceasefire would completely fall apart.

Oxford - 11 May 2016

1. US Secretary of State John Kerry enters Oxford Union

2. Various of audience

3. SOUNDBITE (English) John Kerry, US Secretary of State:

"We have to stop and ask on an international basis how it is that a bunch of generals in a country like Nigeria, which had happened previously, and the new president (Buhari) has run against all this, and we are working with him now to change it, but Nigeria saw tens of billions of dollars taken out of the country. Those were schools, those were health care, those were infrastructure, new jobs, hidden in bank accounts around the world."

4. Cutaway

5. SOUNDBITE (English) John Kerry, US Secretary of State:

"We believe the presence of Britain in EU magnifies its voice, strengthens its ability to be able to impact on global effects, and if indeed the decision were made and your voters make that decision, of course we respect it. But the reality is that in a trade agreement, we're going to be looking to 27 countries, not one. We're going to try and maximize the market place and get the rules in as many countries as we can, because that's the way it's effective, so certainly it will have impacts like that."

6. Cutaway

7. SOUNDBITE (English) John Kerry, US Secretary of State:

"A political negotiation, a transitional governance body that would run Syria while the constitution is being written and implemented, and then a cease-fire, nation-wide and then and election in a year and a half. Now we are now already five months in so it would be a year and whatever. But that's the envisioned outcome of Iran and Russia. It's pretty similar to ours. The issue is are they going to really push (Syrian President) Assad to embrace it. If he doesn't, the ceasefire will completely fall apart, they will go back to war baring some other kind of intervention that I don't necessarily see on the horizon right now."

8. Kerry finishes Oxford address to applause

Prospective EU members in the Balkans said on Monday the British exit vote won't diminish their EU membership efforts.

Balkan nations that survived wars and political breakups in the 1990s worry they will face more hurdles to membership as the EU struggles to keep itself together.

The leaders of France and Germany reassured Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia, Kosovo and Albania that the British vote to leave the union won't threaten eventual enlargement of the bloc.

Prospective EU members in the Balkans said on Monday the British exit vote won't diminish their EU membership efforts.

Balkan nations that survived wars and political breakups in the 1990s worry they will face more hurdles to membership as the EU struggles to keep itself together.

The leaders of France and Germany reassured Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia, Kosovo and Albania that the British vote to leave the union won't threaten eventual enlargement of the bloc.

Paris - 4 July 2016

1. Wide of Elysee courtyard

2. Mid of journalists

3. SOUNDBITE (English) Tihomir Oreskovic, Croatian Prime Minister:

"I think there were three main topics we discussed one obviously the migration crisis, we share common threats or challenges. Clearly the migration challenges are something we are dealing through or dealing with both in terms of the western Balkans and Europe in general. And then terrorism obviously, a look at the recent terrorist attack in Istanbul which is most recent but other European cities. So I think we share common challenges and when you have to unite in terms of the fight against terrorism so clearly how we can share information and better communicate so that we can prevent future terrorist acts and part of that is also controlling the borders and the flow of migrants through the region was also discussed. And then the third topic which probably was also the most relevant in light of the recent Brexit announcement is to make sure that the further integration of the western Balkans proceeds. I think that was the key message that we wanted to deliver today, that the process is moving forward and that as result of Brexit, it will not stop."

Q: "Not the end of Balkan accession?"

"Absolutely not. I think if we look at the key premise of the European Union it's prosperity, peace first of all in terms of if we look at the history of Europe, economic growth, prosperity and if we look obviously at the region and some of its history I think the the same applies so I think we need to see how we can bring the western Balkans into the European Union as quickly as possible and obviously the need to fulfil all their requirements as a full member but I think the same fundamental values and principals apply. And I think the the same objectives apply, to make sure we have peace and prosperity in this region of the world as well."

4. Close up of badges

5. News conference

6. Aleksandar Vucic, Serbian Prime Minister arriving

7. SOUNDBITE (Serbian) Aleksandar Vucic, Serbian Prime Minister:

"I think that this is a good indication that all countries of the western Balkans are welcome to the European Union. I don't like pledges like Tito (Josip Broz Tito, former President of Yugoslavia) we are pledging to you. We don't have a subservient relationship to the union. But that is the place where the future is the best for our people and our countries. And I'm happy about that and I want to congratulate the citizens of Serbia I will congratulate them on the 19th. We have a lot of work and efforts to make in front of us and obligations. But it seems to me that we have a clear and unequivocal European prospects."

8. Vucic speakng to media

9. Edi Rama, Albanian Prime Minister speaking to media

10. SOUNDBITE (French) Edi Rama, Albanian Prime Minister:

"For many European prime ministers the problem is the euroscepticism, but for me it is the 'europtimism'. Albanians whether they come from Albania or Kosovo are very optimistic about the European integration. We are probably the most willing to join the EU at this stage."

11. Various of Prime Minister of Montenegro, Milo Djukanovic

12. SOUNDBITE (Serbian-Croatian) Milo Djukanovic, Prime Minister of Montenegro:

"I think that the chances for new EU memberships are real. Brexit introduced indeed a certain amount of surprise and disappointment amongst those who push for a full EU integration but I don't think that it can put an end to the vision of Europe. The vision where EU is a necessity if Europe wants to keep its global competitiveness."

13. Djukanovic with media

14. Isa Mustafa, Kosovo Prime Minister with media

15. Cutaway media

16. SOUNDBITE (Serbian-Croatian) Isa Mustafa, Kosovo Prime Minister:

Q: "Did you discuss relations between Serbia and Kososvo in the context of your path to the EU?"

"This wasn't a specific topic but we underlined our resolve to continue with the dialogue, to implement agreements from our dialogues and that we are interested in stabilising our economic relations, human rights and the integration of Serbs in all Kosovo's institutions"

17. Wide of Elysee courtyard

French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday said Britain's decision to leave the European Union should not have an impact on bilateral border agreements, but could affect the many migrants stranded in northern France.

The Touquet accords, signed in 2003 between France and Britain, effectively moved Britain's border to northern France.

A number of French politicians have now seized upon the British decision to exit the EU as a chance to cancel the agreements and unload on Britain the thousands of migrants who want to get there but are stuck in Calais and other areas along the French coast.

But speaking after the EU summit in Brussels, Hollande warned that doing so because of Brexit "does not make sense".

French President Francois Hollande on Wednesday said Britain's decision to leave the European Union should not have an impact on bilateral border agreements, but could affect the many migrants stranded in northern France.

The Touquet accords, signed in 2003 between France and Britain, effectively moved Britain's border to northern France.

A number of French politicians have now seized upon the British decision to exit the EU as a chance to cancel the agreements and unload on Britain the thousands of migrants who want to get there but are stuck in Calais and other areas along the French coast.

But speaking after the EU summit in Brussels, Hollande warned that doing so because of Brexit "does not make sense".

++NO SETUPS OR CUTAWAYS AVAILABLE++

EBS

Brussels - 29 June 2016

1. SOUNDBITE (French) Francois Hollande, French President:

"Challenging the Touquet agreement under the pretext of Britain voted for Brexit, and will engage in negotiations to leave the European Union,

does not make sense. What should perhaps be reviewed is how Britain and France can cooperate better on alleviating the situation for these migrants, the minors, we have done this, and avoid a certain number of improper camps that are not worthy of our countries. And I would like to remind you that Britain makes a significant financial contribution to France for the implementation of this agreement."

SHOTLIST:

AP TELEVISION - AP CLIENTS ONLY

Brussels, Belgium - February 19, 2016

1. European Council banner

2. SOUNDBITE (English) Konrad Szymanski, Polish European Affairs Minister:

"I do not want to comment any other subject, any other issues than the 'Brexit' issue. I heard rumours about possible problems with the final outcome of the summit also related to the migration issue but it's a context, it's not the substance."

(Q: "It's ongoing?")

"No, I don't think so, I think that's a pan-European problem how to tackle the migratory, un-proportional flow on the South."

(Q: "And what about your side, the Poles, are you closer to the British side now?")

"We are close, absolutely close, we managed to have a compromise on many, many issues, we appreciate a very responsible approach of British government to these negotiations but we still need more clarification, more guarantees to get the compromise which would be satisfactory for both sides."

(Q: So, there's still some way to go?)

"Still some way to go, yes."

3. Arrival of Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel

4. Cutaway of camera

5. SOUNDBITE (French) Charles Michel, Belgian Prime Minister:

"What is certain is that we will defend our position firmly. I have been doing it for weeks, I did it last night because I had the opportunity to be the voice for all those who think that the European convictions must be respected in these negotiations. I am very willing to be creative in order to allow Great Britain to remain inside but not at any price, we have to conclude now, there will be no second chance."

6. Cutaway of Michel

7. Cutaway of European Council banner

8. SOUNDBITE (English) Dalia Grybauskaite, President of Lithuania:

"I think the main thing is that we would like to see Britain in Europe and we would like to help British people to make a decision. But no matter what we do here, no matter what face-lifting or face-saving we perform here it's only up to British people to decide and I wish them to be decisive and true for themselves."

(Q:" Why do you want the Brits on board so much?")

"I can't imagine without British, European Union."

9. Various of journalists in Council press room

STORYLINE:

British Prime Minister David Cameron forged ahead at tougher-than-expected talks with European partners on Friday after meetings through the night failed to make much progress on his demands for a less intrusive European Union.

It's potentially a pivotal moment for the 28-nation bloc, which is proud of its decades of integration among once-enemy nations across Europe.

At a tense summit in Brussels, Cameron and other EU leaders staked out firm positions - in part to show voters back home that their interests are being defended.

Polish Minister for European Affairs Konrad Szymanski said that more time and guarantees were needed from the British side in order to close the deal.

Asked to comment on rumours that the Greek Prime Minister would veto a deal with Britain if the Greek borders are closed, the Polish Minister did not deny it and said the issue was a "context, not the substance."

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel said he was willing to be "creative" to help Britain stay in the EU but that there must be a conclusion "now" and that there would be "no second chances".

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite said she could imagine an EU without the UK but underlined that the British people will have the last word.

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LEAD IN:

Diamond encrusted guitars, giant rubies and golden pyramids were just some of the highlights of 2016's run of jewellery fairs across the globe.

But war, political uncertainty and economic turmoil took centre stage this year as most countries reported a downturn in jewellery markets.

STORY-LINE:

In January, Tokyo kicked off a year of glittering jewellery fairs in a sparkling mood.

The increasing economic uncertainty around the globe that marked the end of 2015 did not seem to be weighing heavily on the industry with organisers remaining optimistic about the market as a whole.

The centrepiece of the show was this 400 karat diamond guitar worth a cool US$2 million.

In March 2015 it was certified by the Guinness World Records as the world's most 'valuable guitar'.

It took 68 designers and craftsmen 2 months to complete this unique piece, which is made with 10,000 diamonds.

Other extravagant and novel designs included unique LED jewellery by Tohkoo.Co. Ltd.

The company developed very small LED lights and incorporated then into jewellery items such as earrings and even nails.

By February in Bangkok prospects for the industry were not looking quite so shiny.

The Thailand Gems and Jewellery Fair takes place twice a year and is Asia's second largest trade show, attracting around 1,800 exhibitors.

But traders at the fair reported that the industry was struggling.

Foreign exhibitors were allowed to sell gems and jewellery duty-free. Many local exhibitors cut their prices too. This meant buyers saved about 20 percent, which traders hoped would encourage people to buy more.

The tactics became necessary due to the continuing effects of the global economy knocking onto the gems and jewellery market.

Anthony Peter Brooke, Vice President of the Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association said the collapse of China's market had been particularly damaging.

"The China market has now unfortunately collapsed, and that's not the wrong word to use, it genuinely has collapsed. It's probably going to take another 4 to 5 years to get back to the state that it was before. What that means is that prices have basically collapsed. The raw material producing countries are no longer able to sell the amounts that they were before because of this big price differential."

But rubies and sapphires were still deemed safe bets - remaining in demand by the China market and maintaining their price.

Over in Hong Kong, platinum was the saviour at March's International Jewellery Show.

Traders said they were revelling in record low costs for the metal, with prices at their lowest for 7 years.

Platinum remains a popular material for jewellery, particularly in western wedding rings and minimal design pieces.

More than 2,500 exhibitors from 41 countries and regions including India, Thailand and Turkey showcased their products at the 2016 show.

As one of the biggest jewellery consuming countries, gold-loving India said its jewellery industry had been slowing down and Indian traders voiced concern that their government's plan to reintroduce excise tax could result in a drop in sales.

For Istanbul's spring show, luxury and extravagance took centre stage with designers showcasing high-end pieces to customers.

This was the most expensive creation costing 6.3 million US dollars.

The miniature model of the Pyramids of Giza is made of 1,568 pieces of 24 carat gold, and weighs 157 kg.

In the jewellery pavilions, this queen of the Istanbul exhibition gold ring made of 20 and 7 carat diamonds was priced at 345,000 US dollars.

This dagger made of gold and giant rubies was valued at 250,000 US dollars.

And anybody who took a shine to this gold coated Mercedes car would have needed a cool 220,000 US dollars to drive it away.

But behind the luxury and extravagance, Turkish jewellery exporters reported that regional tensions between Turkey and Russia were having an impact on the market.

Relations between Russia and Turkey have soured over the conflict in neighbouring Syria, and have become particularly strained since Turkey shot down a Russian warplane in Syria on November 24.

The Kremlin, meanwhile, was displaying an array of jewellery of its own.

Known for its dazzling golden domes, at the end of March it presented a sparkling collection of jewellery in its museum.

The diamond flowers and gold birds form part of a collection of work on display by award-winning Russian jewellery designer Ilgiz Fazulzyanov.

Fazulzyanov is the first living designer to have been given a solo exhibition in the Kremlin since Pierre-Karl Faberge in 1917.

In Mumbai in August, the annual India International Jewellery Show saw jewellery makers reporting a slowdown in the industry due to soaring gold prices.

But they said designers were compensating by getting more innovative with their designs.

The gems and jewellery sector contributes about six percent to India's gross domestic product (GDP), according to the India Brand and Equity Foundation.

That's due to high local demand and India's role as major centre for cutting and polishing diamonds.

Jewels play an important role in weddings, festivals, or any special occasion in India, making them a much sought after commodity.

Not only jewellery, but also art works, ornaments and even clothing are crafted from gold, silver and platinum and studded with diamonds and precious gems.

One of the highlights of the show was the "Peacock Ring", which holds the Guinness World Record for the most diamonds set in a single ring: 3,827 diamonds in all.

Weighing slightly more than 50 grams, the ring was created by Savio Jewellery and has an estimated value of 2,744,525, US dollars.

The majority of the show had jewellery designed for women, priced from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.

Jewellery designer and blogger, Prernaa Makhariaa says Indian designers were experimenting with innovation, blending traditional Indian styles with Western designs to attract buyers.

"There has been an infusion of diamonds with gold, or diamond with different kind of textures. It's not only diamonds, but even coloured stones are being mixed with gold or with silver or with brass and copper. So India is getting innovative with a lot of different manufacturing techniques and they are trying to play with textures and different kind of materials."

In London, UK traders were confident their products had not lost their sparkle despite the Brexit vote.

Experts at the International Jewellery London show said a weak pound, innovative design and a diverse marketplace for suppliers were just some of the reasons the UK jewellery market was thriving.

Michael Rawlinson is chief executive of The National Association of Jewellers, the main industry body in the UK.

He said: "The British market actually has responded quite well post Brexit at the moment, people have some level of certainty, even if it is leaving the European Union, so we've seen a strengthening of trade in the last couple of months."

With innovative designers continuing to emerge from the UK's most important jewellery schools in London and Birmingham, Rawlinson said 'brand Britain' was as strong as ever.

Examples of innovation came in the form of London-based designer Joanna Boyen of Biiju and her explosion designs and Katy Tromans' fairytale inspired silver rings.

Finishing off the season in October it was back to Istanbul.

Dazzling Turkey's 2nd jewellery fair of the year was this miniature of Istanbul's Camlica Mosque made of gold.

The 300 kilogram piece honouring the largest mosque in Asia Minor (Anatolia) was valued at 10 million US dollars.

But Turkish traders were not celebrating.

Turkey is one of the top three global producers together with Italy and India, but the usually buoyant jewellery sector was waning.

The situation in Syria, terror attacks, a failed coup and a long-running internal conflict with the Kurdish minority all impacted.

Exhibitors attending the show reported an export market drop of 18% overall in the last year according to the Turkish Jewellery Exporters Association. Total exports were 1.4 billion US dollars

Russia, Iran, UAE and Iraq, traditionally the biggest customers of Turkish jewellery, bought fewer Turkish products.

Russia was in 2014 one of the main buyers of Turkish jewellery and gold, but bilateral trade was halted a year ago when Turkey shot down a Russian warplane in Syria.

After resuming business this year, Russia is now the 18th buyer of Turkish jewellery.

Iran is now the top buyer, but the purchase of jewellery and gold has decreased by 38 per cent to 384 million US dollars from January to September compared to the same period last year, according to figures from the Turkish Jewellery Exporters Association.

Tokyo, January 20, 2016

1. Tilt down $2 million guitar

2. Left Pan of Aaron Shum, President of Aaron Shum Jewellery holding the $2 million guitar his company made

3. Guinness World Records certificate for the most valuable guitar

4. Right pan - close up of body of guitar

5. A Japanese samurai helmet (kabuto) adorned with pearls

6. Tilt down of a golden teapot

7. Close of rings

8. Tilt down of coloured necklace

9. Wide of LED jewellery stand

10. Various of LED jewellery

Bangkok, Thailand, 26 February, 2016

11. Mid of gem and jewellery booth exterior at Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair

12. Mid of customers looking at gold and silver jewellery

13. Close of gold and silver jewellery

14. SOUNDBITE: (English) Anthony Peter Brooke, Vice President, Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association:

"The China market has now unfortunately collapsed, and that's not the wrong word to use, it genuinely has collapsed. It's probably going to take another 4 to 5 years to get back to the state that it was before. What that means is that prices have basically collapsed. The raw material producing countries are no longer able to sell the amounts that they were before because of this big price differential."

15. Close of ruby earrings

16. Close of ruby necklace

17. Close of rubies

18. Close of blue sapphire necklace

Hong Kong - 3rd March, 2016

19. Wide of Victor Chan, Executive Director of Continental Holdings Limited putting a diamond necklace on a holder

20. Close of 11.64 carat diamond and platinum necklace (Price: USD 35,000)

21. Close of diamond and platinum bracelets and ring. (Price of bracelet on top: USD 22,000; small bracelet on left: USD 8,000; ring: USD 4,000)

22. Wide of buyer in an Indian jewellery shop

23. Close of hands counting money

24. Pan to right of Indian style jewellery

25. Various of Ravi Ajmera, Director of Ravi Jewels & Handicrafts Pvt Ltd looking at an Indian wedding jewellery

Istanbul, Turkey - 10 March 2016

26. Various of a miniature of Pyramids of Giza made in gold by Turkish company Nadir Doviz, 1,568 pieces of 24 carat gold, 157 kilograms in total, valued at 6.3 million US dollars

27. Close of gold camels

28. Close of ring by Zen Diamond, made of 20 and 7 carat diamonds and gold, valued at 345,000 US dollars

29. Close of necklace by On Mucevherat made of 18 carat diamonds and gold, priced at 26,000 US dollars

30. Mid of On Mucevherat necklace and earrings, made of 18 carats diamonds and gold, price of earrings 8,000 US dollars

31. Various of Baget-Is dagger made of gold, diamonds, rubies, valued 250,000 US dollars, not for sale

32. Wide of Mercedes gold coated car, by Nadir Doviz, valued at 220,000 US dollars

Moscow, Russia - March 30, 2016

33. Wide of cathedral in the Kremlin

34. Various of Jewellery by Ilgiz Fazulzyanov on display

Mumbai, India - 5 August, 2016

35. Mid of Taj Mahal shaped ring

36. Zoom out of a replica of Howrah Bridge (in Kolkatta) which is made of gold and silver, on man's wrist

Mumbai, India - 4 August 2016

37. Mid of peacock ring made out of diamonds, which holds the 2015 Guinness World Record for the most diamonds set in one ring (3827)

38. Tilt up of New Fusion necklaces with uncut diamonds, set diamonds and gold costing approximately 27,600 US dollars

39. Pull focus of necklaces on display

40. Tilt down of model wearing jewellery

41. Model wearing jewellery

42. SOUNDBITE (English) Prernaa Makhariaa, Jewellery Designer and Blogger:

"There has been an infusion of diamonds with gold, or diamond with different kind of textures. It's not only diamonds, but even coloured stones are being mixed with gold or with silver or with brass and copper. So India is getting innovative with a lot of different manufacturing techniques and they are trying to play with textures and different kind of materials."

43. Pull focus of strings of coloured stones

London, UK - 4 September, 2016

44. Pull focus of large diamond

45. Close of ring

46. Mid of women looking at ring

47. Close pan left from woman to emerald earring

48. Close of blue topaz explosion ring by Biiju

49. SOUNDBITE: (English) Michael Rawlinson, Chief Executive, The National Association of Jewellers:

"The British market actually has responded quite well post Brexit at the moment, people have some level of certainty, even if it is leaving the European Union, so we've seen a strengthening of trade in the last couple of months."

50. Various shots of Bright Young Gem Katy Tromans demonstrating her Rapunzel tower ring

51. Close of Tromans' Alice in Wonderland ring ornament

Istanbul – 13 October 2016

52. Various of a miniature of Camlica Mosque, made in gold and silver by Turkish company Nadir Doviz, valued 10 million US dollars

53. Various of visitors

54. Close up to rings by Zen Diamond: (below) ring made by 20 and 7 carats diamonds and gold, valued at 324,000 US dollars; (upper right) ring made of 20 carats diamonds, valued at 97,000 US dollars

55. Various up of necklace by On Mucevherat made of 18 carats diamonds and gold, valued at 25,000 US dollars

LEAD IN:

Diamond encrusted guitars, giant rubies and golden pyramids were just some of the highlights of 2016's run of jewellery fairs across the globe.

But war, political uncertainty and economic turmoil took centre stage this year as most countries reported a downturn in jewellery markets.

STORY-LINE:

In January, Tokyo kicked off a year of glittering jewellery fairs in a sparkling mood.

The increasing economic uncertainty around the globe that marked the end of 2015 did not seem to be weighing heavily on the industry with organisers remaining optimistic about the market as a whole.

The centrepiece of the show was this 400 karat diamond guitar worth a cool US$2 million.

In March 2015 it was certified by the Guinness World Records as the world's most 'valuable guitar'.

It took 68 designers and craftsmen 2 months to complete this unique piece, which is made with 10,000 diamonds.

Other extravagant and novel designs included unique LED jewellery by Tohkoo.Co. Ltd.

The company developed very small LED lights and incorporated then into jewellery items such as earrings and even nails.

By February in Bangkok prospects for the industry were not looking quite so shiny.

The Thailand Gems and Jewellery Fair takes place twice a year and is Asia's second largest trade show, attracting around 1,800 exhibitors.

But traders at the fair reported that the industry was struggling.

Foreign exhibitors were allowed to sell gems and jewellery duty-free. Many local exhibitors cut their prices too. This meant buyers saved about 20 percent, which traders hoped would encourage people to buy more.

The tactics became necessary due to the continuing effects of the global economy knocking onto the gems and jewellery market.

Anthony Peter Brooke, Vice President of the Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association said the collapse of China's market had been particularly damaging.

"The China market has now unfortunately collapsed, and that's not the wrong word to use, it genuinely has collapsed. It's probably going to take another 4 to 5 years to get back to the state that it was before. What that means is that prices have basically collapsed. The raw material producing countries are no longer able to sell the amounts that they were before because of this big price differential."

But rubies and sapphires were still deemed safe bets - remaining in demand by the China market and maintaining their price.

Over in Hong Kong, platinum was the saviour at March's International Jewellery Show.

Traders said they were revelling in record low costs for the metal, with prices at their lowest for 7 years.

Platinum remains a popular material for jewellery, particularly in western wedding rings and minimal design pieces.

More than 2,500 exhibitors from 41 countries and regions including India, Thailand and Turkey showcased their products at the 2016 show.

As one of the biggest jewellery consuming countries, gold-loving India said its jewellery industry had been slowing down and Indian traders voiced concern that their government's plan to reintroduce excise tax could result in a drop in sales.

For Istanbul's spring show, luxury and extravagance took centre stage with designers showcasing high-end pieces to customers.

This was the most expensive creation costing 6.3 million US dollars.

The miniature model of the Pyramids of Giza is made of 1,568 pieces of 24 carat gold, and weighs 157 kg.

In the jewellery pavilions, this queen of the Istanbul exhibition gold ring made of 20 and 7 carat diamonds was priced at 345,000 US dollars.

This dagger made of gold and giant rubies was valued at 250,000 US dollars.

And anybody who took a shine to this gold coated Mercedes car would have needed a cool 220,000 US dollars to drive it away.

But behind the luxury and extravagance, Turkish jewellery exporters reported that regional tensions between Turkey and Russia were having an impact on the market.

Relations between Russia and Turkey have soured over the conflict in neighbouring Syria, and have become particularly strained since Turkey shot down a Russian warplane in Syria on November 24.

The Kremlin, meanwhile, was displaying an array of jewellery of its own.

Known for its dazzling golden domes, at the end of March it presented a sparkling collection of jewellery in its museum.

The diamond flowers and gold birds form part of a collection of work on display by award-winning Russian jewellery designer Ilgiz Fazulzyanov.

Fazulzyanov is the first living designer to have been given a solo exhibition in the Kremlin since Pierre-Karl Faberge in 1917.

In Mumbai in August, the annual India International Jewellery Show saw jewellery makers reporting a slowdown in the industry due to soaring gold prices.

But they said designers were compensating by getting more innovative with their designs.

The gems and jewellery sector contributes about six percent to India's gross domestic product (GDP), according to the India Brand and Equity Foundation.

That's due to high local demand and India's role as major centre for cutting and polishing diamonds.

Jewels play an important role in weddings, festivals, or any special occasion in India, making them a much sought after commodity.

Not only jewellery, but also art works, ornaments and even clothing are crafted from gold, silver and platinum and studded with diamonds and precious gems.

One of the highlights of the show was the "Peacock Ring", which holds the Guinness World Record for the most diamonds set in a single ring: 3,827 diamonds in all.

Weighing slightly more than 50 grams, the ring was created by Savio Jewellery and has an estimated value of 2,744,525, US dollars.

The majority of the show had jewellery designed for women, priced from a few hundred dollars to several thousand.

Jewellery designer and blogger, Prernaa Makhariaa says Indian designers were experimenting with innovation, blending traditional Indian styles with Western designs to attract buyers.

"There has been an infusion of diamonds with gold, or diamond with different kind of textures. It's not only diamonds, but even coloured stones are being mixed with gold or with silver or with brass and copper. So India is getting innovative with a lot of different manufacturing techniques and they are trying to play with textures and different kind of materials."

In London, UK traders were confident their products had not lost their sparkle despite the Brexit vote.

Experts at the International Jewellery London show said a weak pound, innovative design and a diverse marketplace for suppliers were just some of the reasons the UK jewellery market was thriving.

Michael Rawlinson is chief executive of The National Association of Jewellers, the main industry body in the UK.

He said: "The British market actually has responded quite well post Brexit at the moment, people have some level of certainty, even if it is leaving the European Union, so we've seen a strengthening of trade in the last couple of months."

With innovative designers continuing to emerge from the UK's most important jewellery schools in London and Birmingham, Rawlinson said 'brand Britain' was as strong as ever.

Examples of innovation came in the form of London-based designer Joanna Boyen of Biiju and her explosion designs and Katy Tromans' fairytale inspired silver rings.

Finishing off the season in October it was back to Istanbul.

Dazzling Turkey's 2nd jewellery fair of the year was this miniature of Istanbul's Camlica Mosque made of gold.

The 300 kilogram piece honouring the largest mosque in Asia Minor (Anatolia) was valued at 10 million US dollars.

But Turkish traders were not celebrating.

Turkey is one of the top three global producers together with Italy and India, but the usually buoyant jewellery sector was waning.

The situation in Syria, terror attacks, a failed coup and a long-running internal conflict with the Kurdish minority all impacted.

Exhibitors attending the show reported an export market drop of 18% overall in the last year according to the Turkish Jewellery Exporters Association. Total exports were 1.4 billion US dollars

Russia, Iran, UAE and Iraq, traditionally the biggest customers of Turkish jewellery, bought fewer Turkish products.

Russia was in 2014 one of the main buyers of Turkish jewellery and gold, but bilateral trade was halted a year ago when Turkey shot down a Russian warplane in Syria.

After resuming business this year, Russia is now the 18th buyer of Turkish jewellery.

Iran is now the top buyer, but the purchase of jewellery and gold has decreased by 38 per cent to 384 million US dollars from January to September compared to the same period last year, according to figures from the Turkish Jewellery Exporters Association.

Tokyo, January 20, 2016

1. Tilt down $2 million guitar

2. Left Pan of Aaron Shum, President of Aaron Shum Jewellery holding the $2 million guitar his company made

3. Guinness World Records certificate for the most valuable guitar

4. Right pan - close up of body of guitar

5. A Japanese samurai helmet (kabuto) adorned with pearls

6. Tilt down of a golden teapot

7. Close of rings

8. Tilt down of coloured necklace

9. Wide of LED jewellery stand

10. Various of LED jewellery

Bangkok, Thailand, 26 February, 2016

11. Mid of gem and jewellery booth exterior at Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Fair

12. Mid of customers looking at gold and silver jewellery

13. Close of gold and silver jewellery

14. SOUNDBITE: (English) Anthony Peter Brooke, Vice President, Thai Gem and Jewellery Traders Association:

"The China market has now unfortunately collapsed, and that's not the wrong word to use, it genuinely has collapsed. It's probably going to take another 4 to 5 years to get back to the state that it was before. What that means is that prices have basically collapsed. The raw material producing countries are no longer able to sell the amounts that they were before because of this big price differential."

15. Close of ruby earrings

16. Close of ruby necklace

17. Close of rubies

18. Close of blue sapphire necklace

Hong Kong - 3rd March, 2016

19. Wide of Victor Chan, Executive Director of Continental Holdings Limited putting a diamond necklace on a holder

20. Close of 11.64 carat diamond and platinum necklace (Price: USD 35,000)

21. Close of diamond and platinum bracelets and ring. (Price of bracelet on top: USD 22,000; small bracelet on left: USD 8,000; ring: USD 4,000)

22. Wide of buyer in an Indian jewellery shop

23. Close of hands counting money

24. Pan to right of Indian style jewellery

25. Various of Ravi Ajmera, Director of Ravi Jewels & Handicrafts Pvt Ltd looking at an Indian wedding jewellery

Istanbul, Turkey - 10 March 2016

26. Various of a miniature of Pyramids of Giza made in gold by Turkish company Nadir Doviz, 1,568 pieces of 24 carat gold, 157 kilograms in total, valued at 6.3 million US dollars

27. Close of gold camels

28. Close of ring by Zen Diamond, made of 20 and 7 carat diamonds and gold, valued at 345,000 US dollars

29. Close of necklace by On Mucevherat made of 18 carat diamonds and gold, priced at 26,000 US dollars

30. Mid of On Mucevherat necklace and earrings, made of 18 carats diamonds and gold, price of earrings 8,000 US dollars

31. Various of Baget-Is dagger made of gold, diamonds, rubies, valued 250,000 US dollars, not for sale

32. Wide of Mercedes gold coated car, by Nadir Doviz, valued at 220,000 US dollars

Moscow, Russia - March 30, 2016

33. Wide of cathedral in the Kremlin

34. Various of Jewellery by Ilgiz Fazulzyanov on display

Mumbai, India - 5 August, 2016

35. Mid of Taj Mahal shaped ring

36. Zoom out of a replica of Howrah Bridge (in Kolkatta) which is made of gold and silver, on man's wrist

Mumbai, India - 4 August 2016

37. Mid of peacock ring made out of diamonds, which holds the 2015 Guinness World Record for the most diamonds set in one ring (3827)

38. Tilt up of New Fusion necklaces with uncut diamonds, set diamonds and gold costing approximately 27,600 US dollars

39. Pull focus of necklaces on display

40. Tilt down of model wearing jewellery

41. Model wearing jewellery

42. SOUNDBITE (English) Prernaa Makhariaa, Jewellery Designer and Blogger:

"There has been an infusion of diamonds with gold, or diamond with different kind of textures. It's not only diamonds, but even coloured stones are being mixed with gold or with silver or with brass and copper. So India is getting innovative with a lot of different manufacturing techniques and they are trying to play with textures and different kind of materials."

43. Pull focus of strings of coloured stones

London, UK - 4 September, 2016

44. Pull focus of large diamond

45. Close of ring

46. Mid of women looking at ring

47. Close pan left from woman to emerald earring

48. Close of blue topaz explosion ring by Biiju

49. SOUNDBITE: (English) Michael Rawlinson, Chief Executive, The National Association of Jewellers:

"The British market actually has responded quite well post Brexit at the moment, people have some level of certainty, even if it is leaving the European Union, so we've seen a strengthening of trade in the last couple of months."

50. Various shots of Bright Young Gem Katy Tromans demonstrating her Rapunzel tower ring

51. Close of Tromans' Alice in Wonderland ring ornament

Istanbul – 13 October 2016

52. Various of a miniature of Camlica Mosque, made in gold and silver by Turkish company Nadir Doviz, valued 10 million US dollars

53. Various of visitors

54. Close up to rings by Zen Diamond: (below) ring made by 20 and 7 carats diamonds and gold, valued at 324,000 US dollars; (upper right) ring made of 20 carats diamonds, valued at 97,000 US dollars

55. Various up of necklace by On Mucevherat made of 18 carats diamonds and gold, valued at 25,000 US dollars