logo
UK, France to enable ‘co-ordinated' nuclear deterrent

UK, France to enable ‘co-ordinated' nuclear deterrent

Arab News10-07-2025
LONDON: The UK and France will declare that the two nations' nuclear deterrents, while independent, can be co-ordinated and that they will jointly respond to any 'extreme threat to Europe,' both countries said Wednesday.
The declaration, to be signed Thursday, will state that the respective deterrents of both countries remain under national control 'but can be co-ordinated, and that there is no extreme threat to Europe that would not prompt a response by both nations,' the UK's Ministry of Defense (MoD) and the French presidency said in an overnight statement.
French President Emmanuel Macron will sign the agreement Thursday as he wraps up his three-day state visit to the UK with a bilateral summit, where the allies will 'reboot' defense ties with a focus on joint missile development and nuclear co-operation.
France's leader and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer will co-host the London summit, with the two sides also expected to discuss maintaining support for Ukraine and curbing undocumented cross-Channel immigration.
Ahead of the gathering, which follows two days of varied events spanning pomp and politics, trade and culture, France and Britain announced their 'defense relationship' will be 'refreshed.'
It will see London and Paris order more Storm Shadow cruise missiles — long-range, air-launched weapons jointly developed by the two countries and called SCALP by the French — while stepping up work on a replacement system.
The missiles have been shipped to Ukraine in significant numbers in recent years to help Kyiv in its war with Russia.
The new partnerships herald a new 'Entente Industrielle' making 'defense an engine for growth,' said the MoD.
'As close partners and NATO allies, the UK and France have a deep history of defense collaboration and today's agreements take our partnership to the next level,' Starmer said in the statement.
Starmer and Macron will also on Thursday dial into a meeting of the so-called 'coalition of the willing' on Ukraine, a group of countries backing the embattled nation.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Meloni: Recognizing Palestinian state before it is established may be ‘counterproductive'
Meloni: Recognizing Palestinian state before it is established may be ‘counterproductive'

Al Arabiya

time37 minutes ago

  • Al Arabiya

Meloni: Recognizing Palestinian state before it is established may be ‘counterproductive'

Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said on Saturday that recognizing the State of Palestine before it is established could be counterproductive. 'I am very much in favor of the State of Palestine, but I am not in favor of recognizing it prior to establishing it,' Meloni told Italian daily La Repubblica. 'If something that doesn't exist is recognized on paper, the problem could appear to be solved when it isn't,' Meloni added. France's decision to recognize a Palestinian state at the United Nations General Assembly in September drew condemnation from Israel and the United States, amid the war in Gaza between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas. On Friday, Italy's foreign minister said recognition of a Palestinian state must occur simultaneously with recognition of Israel by the new Palestinian entity. A German government spokesperson said on Friday that Berlin was not planning to recognize a Palestinian state in the short term and said its priority now is to make 'long-overdue progress' towards a two-state solution.

UK condemns Hong Kong's reward offers for suspects living in Britain
UK condemns Hong Kong's reward offers for suspects living in Britain

Al Arabiya

time5 hours ago

  • Al Arabiya

UK condemns Hong Kong's reward offers for suspects living in Britain

The UK on Friday condemned Hong Kong authorities for offering payment in exchange for assisting in the arrest of pro-democracy activists living in Britain. 'The Hong Kong Police Force's issuing of further arrest warrants and bounties on individuals living in the UK is another example of transnational repression,' Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said in a joint statement. Hong Kong authorities announced Friday that they are offering cash rewards for information leading to the arrest of 19 pro-democracy activists based abroad, accused of violating the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020. The bounties range from about $25,000 (HK$200,000) to $125,000, depending on the individual Hong Kong seeks. This is the fourth time Hong Kong authorities have made this type of appeal, which has already drawn strong criticism from Western countries, which China in turn has denounced as 'interference.' In their statement, Lammy and Cooper called on China to stop targeting opposition voices in Britain. Around 150,000 Hong Kong nationals migrated to the UK under a special visa scheme introduced in 2021. But a recent proposal by the British government to reform extradition rules has sparked serious concerns, with some fearing it could pave the way for a resumption of extraditions to Hong Kong, which have been suspended since the 2020 national security law was enacted. In their statement, the two British ministers said 'this Government will continue to stand with the people of Hong Kong, including those who have made the UK their home. We take the protection of their rights, freedoms, and safety very seriously.'

Mahmoud Abbas praises Saudi support after Paris recognizes Palestinian statehood
Mahmoud Abbas praises Saudi support after Paris recognizes Palestinian statehood

Arab News

time6 hours ago

  • Arab News

Mahmoud Abbas praises Saudi support after Paris recognizes Palestinian statehood

RIYADH: Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas thanked Saudi Arabia for its efforts which contributed to a historic French commitment to recognizing Palestine as a state. The French President Emmanuel Macron made the announcement on Thursday. 'This solution is the only path that can address the legitimate aspirations of both the Israelis and the Palestinians. It must now be brought about as quickly as possible,' said Macron in a letter to Abbas. 'The prospect of a negotiated solution to the conflict in the Middle East seems increasingly distant. I cannot resign myself to that,' he said. The Palestinian leader said the French move represented a victory for his people and urged other countries to take a similar stance to support a two-state solution to the decades long conflict. The Kingdom has long been a backer of Palestinian statehood and has repeatedly condemned Israel's treatment of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. More than 140 countries already recognize Palestine as a state. Macron has said France will formally declare the recognition at the UN General Assembly in September.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store