United Kingdom-France Summit

Tuesday 2nd November 2010 Written Statements

[The Prime Minister (Mr David Cameron)]

I am today issuing a declaration with President Sarkozy that proposes further co-operation in defence and security.

Underpinning this co-operation will be two treaties.

First we shall sign a defence and security co-operation treaty to develop co-operation between our armed forces to make our forces more interoperable, to maximise our capabilities, and to obtain greater value for money from our investment in defence.

Second we shall collaborate in the technology associated with nuclear stockpile stewardship in support of our respective independent nuclear deterrent capabilities, in full compliance with our international obligations.

In both cases this represents an intensification of our already strong relationship, not a reduction in national sovereignty.

I am placing a copy of the declaration in the Libraries of both Houses.

The treaties will be laid before Parliament in the usual way.