The following is the Joint Statement released by the Governments of the United States and United Kingdom on the occasion of the U.S.-UK Strategic Dialogue in London, United Kingdom.
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United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken and United Kingdom Foreign Secretary David Lammy met in London to open the U.S.-UK Strategic Dialogue.
The Strategic Dialogue – led by the Secretaries of State of the United States and United Kingdom – celebrates and deepens the long-standing and special relationship between the two nations. The Dialogue, held September 10-11, 2024, covered key elements of their partnership, including support for Ukraine, promotion of peace and security in the Middle East through a ceasefire in Gaza, cooperation towards a free and open Indo-Pacific, and alignment on secure, resilient, and sustainable growth.
At the Dialogue, both countries emphasized the interconnectedness of security and economies in both Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions.
Secretary Blinken and Foreign Secretary Lammy reaffirmed their enduring support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity. They discussed mobilizing military and financial resources for Ukraine, restricting Russian revenues, pressuring Russia's war efforts, and restoring Ukraine’s energy networks. They condemned Russia’s recent air strikes that devastated Ukrainian civilians. They also decided to work together to support European integration for Ukraine, Moldova, and the Western Balkans while highlighting Ukraine’s path to NATO membership. Both leaders expressed concern about China’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base. They noted threats from foreign disinformation, malicious cyber actors, organized crime; emphasizing stable societies.
Secretary Blinken confirmed intelligence findings that Russia has received ballistic missiles from Iran. Both Secretaries recognized this escalation's significance along with Iran's growing military support to Russia. They condemned these transfers and vowed coordinated actions with international partners against Iran and Russia. Additionally, they noted Iran's role in regional instability through advanced weapon proliferation supporting groups like Lebanese Hizballah, Hamas, Houthis among others.
Both agreed that Iran’s nuclear program poses a clear threat to regional peace.
Foreign Secretary Lammy supported ongoing mediation efforts by the US., Egypt., Qatar for a Gaza ceasefire agreement. Both countries underlined their support for Israel’s security while avoiding escalatory actions undermining peace prospects towards a two-state solution. They affirmed commitment towards lasting security along Blue Line allowing Israeli-Lebanese civilians' safe return home discussing humanitarian situation reiterating calls protecting civilians ensuring UN aid delivery safely welcoming polio vaccination campaign urging cooperation ensuring children's vaccination needs met.
They reaffirmed commitment continuing Indo-Pacific Dialogue exploring new coordination opportunities opposing unilateral status quo changes by force or coercion recognizing partnership with Australia through AUKUS demonstrating collective regional commitment welcoming UK's AUKUS Nations Open General License publication alongside US granted International Traffic Arms Regulations exemption looking forward implementation enabling enhanced collaboration rapid advanced capabilities development revolutionizing defense trade sectors unlocking growth export opportunities industries
They affirmed importance close coordination advancing shared objectives common values interests Indo-Pacific confirming shared commitment upholding international law rules-based system noting concerns over South China Sea Chinese vessels’ dangerous destabilizing actions against Philippines vessels emphasizing need respecting sea law as reflected UN Convention Law Sea restating Taiwan Strait peace stability indispensable international community calling peaceful cross-Strait issues resolution
They discussed shared priorities Africa including ending conflict promoting expanded humanitarian access Sudan supporting Somalia sovereignty territorial integrity long-term stability transitioning new African Union-led security mission
Reaffirming shared commitment strengthening democracies resilience globally noting longstanding anti-corruption collaboration US welcomed increased UK focus countering corruption specifically kleptocracy addressing illicit finance beneficial ownership transparency enablers corruption building cooperation areas measures sanctions multilateral bilateral diplomacy law enforcement foreign assistance
Recognizing threat foreign information manipulation interference FIMI poses democracies decided increasing joint disruption efforts Kremlin state-sponsored FIMI advancing joint capabilities closest partners bolstered joint action exposing disrupting covert operations spreading lies discord undermining free societies affirming ambition delivering G7 Collective Response Framework 2025 focusing assisting Ukraine counter Kremlin disinformation propaganda justifying invasion supporting bilateral cooperation five key action areas US Department State Framework Counter Foreign State Information Manipulation
Drawing President Biden Prime Minister Starmer recent aligned ambitions greater economic growth noting security partnership underpinning prosperity allowing economies grow working suite tools protecting critical technologies highlighting clean energy transition economic security growth strong climate leadership key domestic policies UK Clean Energy Superpower Mission US Inflation Reduction Act considerable existing bilateral energy co-operation including United States-United Kingdom Energy Dialogue committed working ahead COP29 Azerbaijan global climate finance goals tripling renewable energy capacity globally 2030 working G7 multilateral fora enhancing economic security resilience
Expressing enthusiasm continuing steadfast relationship affirmed importance Prime Minister Starmer September 13 meeting President Biden Washington DC continuing discussions full range foreign security policy priorities
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