MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

UK/France ratify Defence and Security Co-operation Treaty

Dr Liam Fox (left) shakes hands with French Defence Minister Gérard Longuet outside the UK Ministry of Defence headquarters in London (Photo MoD)

UK Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox played host on Tuesday to his French counterpart in London to exchange the ratified Defence and Security Co-operation Treaty between the two countries.

The meeting between Dr Fox and the French Defence Minister, Gérard Longuet, was the final step before the UK-France Defence and Security Co-operation Treaty formally comes into force on 1 July 2011.

The treaty was signed at last November's bilateral Summit by French President Nicolas Sarkozy and British Prime Minister David Cameron.

The programme of co-operation under the bilateral treaty was the main focus of Tuesday's discussions, with the ongoing operations in Libya and Afghanistan and NATO reform also on the agenda.

Speaking after the meeting, Dr Fox reiterated the importance of closer co-operation.

“The Defence and Security Co-operation Treaty marked a new chapter in our long history of bilateral co-operation and I am delighted to be exchanging the treaties. It was a natural, and logical, step change in our relationship”, said Dr. Fox adding that France is the UK's natural partner in Europe for defence co-operation.

“With France, we have some of the most capable and experienced armed forces as we are currently seeing in both Afghanistan and Libya. We have made good progress on both armed forces and equipment co-operation in the six months since our commitment last November to work more closely together”

“I'd like to say that I was very pleased to meet Liam Fox at the British Ministry of Defence, because we work together daily on current issues such as Afghanistan, where British troops are playing a major role, and in Libya, where the Franco-British entente has allowed us to protect those who want freedom”, said Minister Longuet.

He emphasized the two countries share the same vision of NATO reform and, more generally, “we're convinced that globalisation presupposes a number of countries taking on responsibilities when it comes to security, and adopting a pragmatic, realistic, multilateral approach”.

Dr Fox said that the UK and France have shared strategic interests with foreign and defence policies are founded on common interests, values and responsibilities.

“The Defence and Security Co-operation Treaty reaffirm our commitment to work together whenever possible to promote international peace and security and dissuade unnecessary aggression. This is what we are doing with regards to Gaddafi's brutal regime”, said Dr. Fox.

“The UK and France are facing the realities of the tough financial climate, and it is in our best interests to work together to deliver the capabilities that both our nations need. Monsieur Longuet and I are in agreement that closer co-operation will benefit both our countries”.

”We already work closely with France, and draw military, technological and financial benefit from this. Our co-operation shows the level of our ambition and our willingness to tackle difficult issues and take big decisions.

Recently British troops travelled to France to conduct training at one of the country's top urban fighting areas. The UK will also play host to French troops as part of their reciprocal relationship.