Recognising the strategic value of the 2010 Lancaster House Treaties, the United Kingdom and
France have agreed to establish a new pillar of strategic foreign policy and development cooperation
alongside those Treaties. Our co-operation is deeply rooted in our European values, our global
outlook, and our status as Permanent Members of the United Nations Security Council and Europe’s
two nuclear powers. We share an unconditional commitment to European security. We seek to
sustainably tackle poverty and insecurity and help the world’s most vulnerable, recognising our
commitment to the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, including Goal 16 on peace, justice and
strong institutions. We share the belief that the global challenges we face demand a comprehensive
approach which draws on all of our capabilities across diplomacy, defence and development. We
have a fundamental shared interest in promoting effective multilateral institutions and protecting the
rules-based international system.
The rules and standards which have secured collective prosperity and security since the end of the
Second World War remain essential in meeting the many challenges we now face (including climate
change, WMD proliferation, hostile state activity, terrorism, global migration crises and
protectionism). We need to confront those who threaten them. And we need to maintain our
commitment to the implementation of the treaties governing non-proliferation of WMD and their
means of delivery, and to the export control regimes that support these treaties. We wish to highlight
the increasingly complex web of threats to these instruments, both from irresponsible States and non-
State actors.
In light of this, the United Kingdom and France commit to sustain the international order which our
countries have helped to build together over the last 70 years. We will revitalise multilateralism and
support efforts to reform multilateral institutions, universal public goods that deliver global impact,
confer legitimacy and strengthen our ability to work together in our common interest. We reaffirm
our commitment to uphold key pillars of the rules-based system, including major non-proliferation
and arms control treaties. We will drive global development efforts to achieve the Sustainable
Development Goals, tackle poverty and insecurity, help the world’s most vulnerable and address
inequalities and the root causes of conflict and instability.
We will establish two new annual Strategic Ministerial Dialogues, on Foreign Policy and
Development, and Foreign Policy and Defence, to be prepared appropriately by senior officials. In
addition, the United Kingdom and France have agreed that the heads of their respective Diplomatic
Services will hold annual consultations. All other arrangements under the Lancaster House Treaties
will continue as previously.
To these ends,
I. THE UNITED KINGDOM AND FRANCE HAVE AGREED THE FOLLOWING JOINT INITIATIVES:
• To enhance cooperation on sanctions in the UN framework to enable easier sharing of ideas,
information and people to address joint priorities (including DPRK, Syria, CT, Russia/Ukraine
and human trafficking). We will work closely together to strengthen global implementation of UN
sanctions.
• To enhance cooperation on stabilisation: aligning our approaches and priorities; working together
on conflict analysis, training and deployments (including a commitment to review options for a
civilian contribution to the Combined Joint Expeditionary Force), and establishing a new UKFrance
stabilisation working group.
• To work jointly to reform and build more effective and coherent multilateral institutions,
including the UN Security Council, by: conducting evaluation; strengthening governance;
eliminating duplication; encouraging more focused mandates and broadening partnerships.
• To work together, as members of the top five funders of the UN, to support the UN Secretary-
General’s reform initiatives, including with a programme of exchanges between our Missions and
joint seminars. We will continue to focus on the reform of UN peacekeeping under the framework
of ‘planning, pledges and performance’. We will support the efforts of the Secretary-General to
reposition the United Nations development system to deliver on the 2030 Agenda and improve aid
effectiveness.
• To work together to support Multilateral Development Banks whose work plays a critical part in
lifting people sustainably out of poverty. We will support the implementation of reforms to
enhance the effectiveness of the World Bank Group and African Development Bank, in line with
the objectives of the Paris Agreement, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected states; we will
also co-operate to increase the World Bank Group’s support for crisis preparedness and response.
II. THE UNITED KINGDOM AND FRANCE HAVE AGREED THE FOLLOWING WAYS TO IMPROVE THE IMPACT OF OUR HUMANITARIAN AID AND DEVELOPMENT ASSISTANCE:
• To enhance our joint humanitarian and development leadership to respond better to crises; help
meet the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement; and promote global peace,
security and prosperity. We will pursue the commitments set out in the Grand Bargain, mobilising
humanitarian funding and driving greater effectiveness in the international humanitarian system.
We commit to working more closely together in specific locations, such as DRC, making the link
to resilience and climate.
• To work together to lead international efforts to tackle climate change, building on the
commitments made at the One Planet Summit. In particular, we will work closely to finalise
ambitious, effective implementation rules for the Paris Agreement at the latest by COP24 and to
continue to explore opportunities to scale up finance towards the shared developed country goal of
mobilising $100bn per year in climate finance by 2020. We will continue to raise project quality
at the Green Climate Fund and improve working practices in support of a successful first
replenishment.
• To continue our constructive dialogue on the development of a global pact for the environment.
We agree to work in close collaboration on ways at improving the coherence of global action to
protect the environment.
• To lead jointly a ‘Global Year of Learning’, in light of the global learning crisis, to drive a more
ambitious global response with a particular focus on improving the quality of teachers, reaching
the most marginalised, including disabled children, and eliminating violence in schools. We will
also work towards a successful replenishment of the Global Partnership for Education.
• To pursue joint work on global gender equality, particularly on girls’ education and in promoting
sexual and reproductive health and rights, including by taking a progressive line in international
fora.
• To work together to tackle malnutrition, which holds back the growth and development of
countries.
• To work together to combat the Illegal Wildlife Trade, including pushing for closure of domestic
ivory markets, ahead of the IWT conference the United Kingdom will host in October 2018.
• To promote open government and tackle corruption globally, including by supporting Open
Contracting, building on French leadership through its oversight of the G20 Anti-Corruption
Working Group in 2018. We will increase our support to the Open Government Partnership,
which France co-chaired in 2016/17. We will explore a joint approach to promoting international
tax transparency to strengthen domestic resource mobilisation in developing countries, building
on the call to action made by African Ministers of Finance in the Yaoundé Declaration in
November 2017.
• To co-operate to discharge our shared interests and responsibilities for British Overseas
Territories and French Départements et Collectivités d’Outre-Mer in the face of increasingly
frequent and intense hurricanes and tropical storms and the widespread devastation these cause in
the Caribbean. We will build on our cooperation in response to Hurricane Irma, to improve our
joint provision of disaster relief and to build resilience in the Caribbean with initiatives such as
CREWS - Climate Risk and Early Warning Systems.
III. THE UNITED KINGDOM AND FRANCE HAVE AGREED THE FOLLOWING JOINT RESPONSES TO THE MOST PRESSING DIPLOMATIC ISSUES:
Iran
We reaffirm our full commitment to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA) and its full
implementation. We note its contribution to the international nuclear non-proliferation regime. We
will continue to engage with the US Administration on the Iranian nuclear programme, taking note of
the statement by the White House on 12 January 2018. We call on the international community to do
more to address Iran’s destabilising regional activity and we share concerns about its ballistic missile
programme, particularly given recent indications that Iran has provided support to the Houthis in
Yemen. We look to Iran to make progress on human rights and to uphold the right to freedom of
expression.
DPRK
We re-emphasise the call expressed in UN Security Council Resolutions for the
DPRK to comply with its international obligations and dismantle its illegal nuclear and ballistic
programmes in a complete, verifiable and irreversible manner. We will continue to support,
including in the UNSC, firm and effective measures to prompt Pyongyang to engage in a sustained,
meaningful and unconditional dialogue. In support of this objective, we will also pursue tighter
enforcement of existing sanctions measures in the EU and UN, including supporting capacity
building projects to help third countries implement sanctions effectively; explore additional EU
autonomous measures and increased use of EU financial measures to target DPRK financial flows
within the EU; as well as encourage restrictions on the DPRK’s diplomatic network.
Russia
The United Kingdom and France share a common assessment of Russia’s more assertive foreign and
defence policy, which goes hand in hand with various concerning forms of strategic intimidation,
including the use of disinformation, malicious cyber activity, and political subversion. The United
Kingdom and France will act together to address the security challenges it could raise, while seeking
a constructive dialogue with Moscow through appropriate channels. This assertion must be met with
a firm response combined with dialogue, notably on issues of common interest, in which Moscow
remains a key stakeholder. We condemn Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and destabilisation of
eastern Ukraine. We urge Russia, along with Ukraine, to fully implement the Minsk Agreements,
starting with a full and comprehensive ceasefire. Until Russia complies with its Minsk obligations,
economic sanctions cannot be lifted.
Ukraine
We reaffirm our full support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. We condemn
Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and destabilisation of eastern Ukraine, actions which violated
the UN Charter, Paris Charter and the Helsinki Final Act. We recall the European Council’s
commitment that the duration of sanctions on Russia should be linked to the complete
implementation of the Minsk Agreements. We call on Russia to use its influence over the separatists
to end the violence in eastern Ukraine. We support the endeavours of the Normandy group and
commend the multifaceted commitment of the OSCE in order to deescalate the crisis.
Western Balkans
We reaffirm our shared commitment to the security, stability, prosperity and full sovereignty of all
six Western Balkans countries, ahead of the Western Balkans Summit due to be held in London on
10 July 2018. We emphasise the importance of advancing the rule of law, and highlight our shared
commitment to tackling the full range of security issues.
MEPP
We support a two-state solution, Israel and Palestine, living peacefully and in security and prosperity
side by side, within secure and recognised borders with Jerusalem as a shared capital. We call on the
parties to take urgent steps to reverse the current negative trends on the ground, refrain from
unilateral initiatives and to start renewed and meaningful peace negotiations. We are ready to
contribute to all credible efforts to restart the peace process.
Combatting Daesh
We are fully committed to ensuring Daesh’s lasting defeat and will remain fully engaged in the
Global Coalition against Daesh. We also agree to deepen our co-operation on counter-Daesh
strategic communications. We are also committed to fight against terrorism financing, notably
through the April 2018 international conference of Paris.
Libya
We reaffirm our support for the UN-led approach for a more inclusive political deal, based on the
Libyan Political Agreement (LPA), and we support enhanced co-ordination of stabilisation and
reconstruction efforts, which are conditional on sufficient political progress. We condemn the
violations of human rights and violence against civilians, including migrants, and support initiatives
to impose targeted sanctions on human traffickers in Libya. We support the Declaration of the recent
EU-Africa Summit. We also support EUNAVFOR MED Sophia, which contributes to the fight
against smugglers and the training of Libyan coastguards.
Syria
We reaffirm our commitment to the implementation of UNSCR 2254 and the primacy of the Geneva
process to reach a credible and sustainable political solution. We reaffirm our support for UNSE
Staffan de Mistura’s mediation and urge the backers of the regime to use all of their influence to
ensure that the regime engages seriously in political negotiations under the auspices of the UN. In
this context, we are resolute that there can be no reconstruction assistance until a comprehensive,
genuine and inclusive political transition is firmly underway. We commit to pursuing accountability
for human rights abuses and violations of international law in Syria, including with respect to
chemical weapons. We call on the Syrian regime to abide by agreed ceasefires and to fulfil its
obligation of allowing immediate, unhindered and sustained access to humanitarian aid to all
populations in need, including in opposition-controlled areas. We commit to working through the UN
Security Council to increase pressure on the regime and its backers to ensure humanitarian access
and to protect civilians.
Yemen
We call on all parties involved in the conflict in Yemen to show flexibility and abandon preconditions
in order to make progress towards a political solution. We urge other members of the UN
Security Council to unite behind a credible UN plan for progressing the political process. We will
coordinate our efforts to address the current humanitarian crisis; we call for unhindered access to all
of Yemen for the delivery of commercial and humanitarian food, fuel and medical supplies, and we
note that funding the UN appeal is a priority. We jointly condemn ballistic missile attacks against
Saudi Arabia by Houthi forces as a threat to regional security and a major risk to civilians.
Lebanon
We confirm our support for Lebanon’s stability, security, sovereignty and territorial integrity and
endorse the International Support Group for Lebanon statement of 8 December 2017. We call on all
Lebanese parties to implement the government’s policy of disassociation from and non-interference
in external conflicts and the launching of discussions on a National Defence Strategy. We are
determined to support the Lebanese State and its institutions in the security, humanitarian and
economic fields and offer our continued support for the Lebanese Armed Forces as the only
legitimate armed forces of Lebanon.
We jointly commend Lebanon’s hosting of Syrian refugees and agree that the international
community must meet its commitments made in the Lebanon Statement of Intent, including on
funding, ensuring every child in Lebanon has access to education, fostering economic opportunities
for Lebanese and refugees, meeting the humanitarian needs of Syrian refugees and supporting their
return to Syria only when conditions allow, in line with international humanitarian law. Given the
difficulties faced by the Lebanese economy we call upon private sector players and all relevant
regional and international actors to support Lebanon. We welcome the holding in 2018 of the “Rome
II” meeting in Italy, the investors conference in Paris and the “Supporting the future of Syria and the
region” conference in Brussels. We also welcome preparations for Lebanese legislative elections in
May, which will be key to restore the normal functioning of institutions.
Sub-Saharan Africa
Recognising this period of dynamic change in Africa, the United Kingdom and France reaffirm our
joint commitment to peace, stability, and prosperity in Africa. We agree to intensify coordination,
working with African partners and in international fora such as the UN Security Council, General
Assembly, G7 and G20 on issues of mutual interest and benefit, including peace and security,
climate change, environment and resilience, economic growth, trade, humanitarian assistance and
transnational challenges such as counter terrorism, irregular migration, “modern slavery”, and human
trafficking. We are firmly committed to supporting Africa to benefit from its huge economic
potential by fostering trade and investment, jobs and opportunities, particularly for Africa’s youth.
To reach our objective of a more prosperous Africa, we urgently need to create stability and address
immediate needs. The United Kingdom and France commit to working together to bring greater
peace, stability, resilience and security in the Sahel and southern Libya, north-eastern Nigeria and the
Lake Chad basin. We will continue to support the international community’s efforts in the Horn of
Africa and Somalia, including through support to AMISOM in Somalia that ensures a conditionsbased
transition to the Somali Security Forces, over an agreed timeframe, for the future peace and
stability of Somalia.
To see this plan implemented we will work together to ensure EU African Peace Facility funding, in
the framework of the transition process; and cooperate closely to address poverty, development and
environmental challenges. The United Kingdom and France agree to intensify their security
cooperation in the Sahel Region, including in support of the G5 Sahel Joint Force. We will cooperate
closely to address the longer term causes of instability, extreme poverty, and lack of
development in the Sahel, through partnering as members of the Sahel Alliance. In support of this
partnership, the United Kingdom will pledge £50m of support for humanitarian and family planning
initiatives in the region. This is on top of the United Kingdom’s existing commitment to provide
£189.5m in humanitarian assistance to the region from 2015-2018 to support 2.3 million people
affected by food insecurity and 1.9 million people affected by conflict.
Burma
We reaffirm our commitment to supporting the implementation of Security Council Presidential
Statement (6 November) on the Rohingya crisis. We call for an end to all acts of violence and for
immediate, safe and unimpeded humanitarian access as well as free access to media. We support the
commitment of the civilian government to address the crisis by promoting the restoration of the rule
of law, reconciliation and reconstruction. We are clear that any return of Rohingya refugees needs to
be linked to conditions on the ground and to be voluntary and safe in accordance with international
standards. While we recognise the difficult political transition facing the civilian government, we
urge them to act on their commitment.
International security
We reaffirm our joint commitment to maritime security and counter-piracy, including further
developing UK-France co-operation on Maritime Domain Awareness in the Gulf of Guinea; we
commit to work together on norms of responsible behaviour in space, starting with co-leadership of
an international event at Wilton Park in 2018; and we commit to explore how we can jointly enhance
responses to hybrid threats.
Countering proliferation
We reaffirm our commitment to combat the proliferation of all forms of WMD and their means of
delivery, and illicit transfers of conventional arms. We will strengthen our joint work, including on
Iran, DPRK, on the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime and Daesh, and in upholding the
treaties and regimes which underpin the rules based international system combating the proliferation
of Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear materials. We reaffirm our commitment to
multilateral nuclear disarmament in a way that promotes international stability and in accordance
with the Treaty on the Non-proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT) and firmly believe that the best
way to achieve a world without nuclear weapons is through gradual multilateral disarmament,
negotiated using a step-by-step approach that takes into account the wider global security context,
based on existing international frameworks.
To that end, we are jointly committed to supporting the entry into force of the Comprehensive
Nuclear Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT), to opening negotiations on a Fissile Material Cut-Off Treaty
(FMCT) based on the document CD/1299 and to fostering technical dialogue on nuclear
disarmament verification. The Non Proliferation Treaty remains the cornerstone of the international
non-proliferation regime and, almost fifty years on since its creation, has played an unparalleled role
in curtailing the nuclear arms race. We reaffirm our commitment to fighting the illicit trade in
conventional weapons, and our support to the Arms Trade Treaty. We will work to ensure progress
on our common objectives under the UN Programme of Action on Small Arms and Light Weapons
during France’s Presidency of this year’s Review Conference.
NATO
We will work closely to deliver sustainable NATO reform and modernisation, enabling NATO to
deliver in the most effective way. We agree that the next NATO Summit in July 2018 should agree
an ambitious modernisation agenda including a package of institutional adaptation measures and the
launch of a functional review of the NATO Headquarters in Brussels in response to the new security
environment. We welcome the French contribution to the UK-led NATO enhanced Forward
Presence force in Estonia in 2019.
OSCE
We will work together to preserve the principles of the Helsinki Final Act and the Paris Charter, and
all other existing OSCE commitments within its multidimensional approach of security. We will
foster better use of the OSCE as an important tool and forum for dialogue on European security
issues, including by promoting more focused agendas and avoiding duplications with other
international organisations. We will work together to enhance dialogue on arms control within the
organisation. We agree that reforms of the OSCE governance are needed and will ensure that they
remain at the top of its agenda.
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