The US President Barack Obama and Prime Minister David Cameron today in London strengthened, if you like, renewed the ‘Special relationship’ existing between their two countries as they spell out six specific areas of co-operation closed to the hearts of the two countries in the coming months.
These areas include security and support to Armed Forces personnel; commitments to collaboration in science, higher education, volunteerism and international development; and the development of cyberspace:
Co-operation in the global economic and security environment
Activities of terrorists have in recent years brought security to the front burner; no doubt, this worrisome challenge is uppermost in the minds of the two leaders as a UK-US Joint Strategy Board to be set up it is believed will help to develop a co-ordinated approach to long term challenges in the global economic and security environment.
Vigilance learnt the Board will be co-chaired by the US National Security Staff and the UK National Security Secretariat and will meet quarterly and report to the US and UK National Security Advisors, Thomas E. Donilon and Sir Peter Ricketts.
Military co-operation
Both leaders agree that the UK and the US will work together through the establishment of a Service Personnel Task Force aimed at delivering the best possible support for serving members of the Armed Forces and veterans. The joint Task Force will focus on linking service personnel, veterans and families to their local communities; helping those leaving the Services into civilian life; and supporting wounded injured and sick personnel.
Co-operation of the UK-US in global development
The Prime Minister and President renewed their commitment to changing the lives of 1.2 billion people in the world today. The two leaders agree their countries will work together to advance economic growth; prevent conflict in fragile states; improve global health particularly for girls and women; and mitigate the effects of climate change.
Co-operations between the US Peace Corps and Voluntary Service Overseas on volunteerism
It is heart-warming to hear that the US Peace Corps and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO) will work together to promote volunteering and active citizenship through people to people exchanges. This it is said will see the two countries working together with local communities and organisations on development priorities and they hope to achieve their effectiveness by sharing best practice in training, systems and innovation.
Co-operation in cyberspace
As online war has increased at geometrical rates in recent times, both Barry and Dave agree the UK and the US will work together to nurture and accelerate the opportunities and growth that cyberspace offers the global economy by building international consensus on the broad principles that will sustain and enhance the prosperity, security and openness of our networked world.
Co-operation in science and higher education
The two leaders agree their countries will increase the links between their higher education institutions through increased post-graduate student and researcher exchange programmes. “We will also collaborate on a number of significant research projects and will embark together on an ambitious programme to create the world’s first combined space weather model,” they affirmed.