UK and France join in nuclear cooperation

“Today’s summit shows the strength and depth of Britain’s ties with France,” said Prime Minister David Cameron today, welcoming French President Nicolas Sarkozy to London for the annual UK-France summit.

David Cameron and Nicolas Sarkozy signed a UK-France Defence Treaty with two main agreements: one committing British and French world-class armed forces to work together more closely, and another covering co-operation on nuclear safety.

One of the principal topics discussed during the summit has been the co-operation over the countries’ nuclear arsenals, with the construction of a new joint facility.

The Prime Minister said: “While we will always retain an independent nuclear deterrent, it is right we look for efficiencies in the infrastructure required to develop and sustain our separate deterrents”.

David Cameron explained that this new agreement will not weaken or pool British or French sovereignty. He went on: “This is not about a European army. This is not about sharing our nuclear deterrents.”

“The summit is intended to further strengthen the relationship between our two countries,” a statement from Cameron’s office said. The new agreement is meant to save millions of pounds by avoiding both countries building identical, and expensive. facilities.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy dubbed the agreement as “unprecedented” and “unequalled in history” as a symbol of the trust and confidence between the two nations.  He added: “We are going to be sharing a simulation modelling installation in France linked to our nuclear deterrents and an associated centre in Britain.”

Today’s success with UK-France Defence Treaty has its deep roots in the defence and security treaty signed in 2010, increasing coordination between their countries’ armed forces.

Annalisa Ratti