LONDON: British Prime Minister David Cameron and French President Nicolas Sarkozy signed two landmark defence treaties at a summit in London on Tuesday.
“Today we open a new chapter in a long history of cooperation on defence and security between Brirtain and France,” Cameron told a joint press conference with the French leader at a Foreign Office mansion in central London.
Cameron also said that the recent foiled parcel bomb plot which originated in Yemen had highlighted the importance of “closer cooperation with our allies across the board.”
The deal will see the two countries take a series of steps, including the creation of a joint military force plus sharing aircraft carriers and nuclear test facilities.
Sarkozy hailed the deal as “historic” and “unprecedented”.
“France and Britain’s clocks strike at the same hour at the same time,” he told reporters. “We intend to work hand in glove.”
Both leaders insisted that the deal would allow Britain and France to retain their independence of action. “Britain and France are and will always remain sovereign nations able to deploy our armed forces independently,” Cameron said.
