William Hague hails British-US relationship in first talks with Clinton

Published on Friday 14 May 2010 23:23

FOREIGN Secretary William Hague has hailed the "unbreakable alliance" between Britain and the United States following talks with secretary of state Hillary Clinton in Washington.

• Foreign Secretary William Hague held talks with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton yesterday, hailing the relationship between the UK. Picture: Getty

On his first trip abroad since being appointed to head the Foreign Office on Tuesday, Mr Hague said the US was "without doubt the most important ally of the UK" and welcomed president Barack Obama's description of the "extraordinary special relationship" between the two countries.

In a joint press conference following talks dominated by Afghanistan, Iran and the economic crisis in the eurozone, Ms Clinton said she was "very intrigued" by the outcome of last week's election in the UK.

And she said the Obama administration was looking forward to "working with the new British government".

"We will continue to build on the deep and abiding trust that exists between the British and American people for a very long time," said Ms Clinton.

She added that the general election and the smooth transfer of power to the new coalition government in the UK were "two powerful symbols of the enduring democratic traditions that our two nations share".

She said: "We are very intrigued by, and will follow closely, the latest incarnation of this long democratic tradition.

"We are reminded again that our common values are the foundation of a historic alliance that really undergirds our commons aspirations and common concerns."

Ms Clinton said that during talks Mr Hague reaffirmed Britain's commitment to working with the international community and the Afghan people to achieve long-term stability in the country.

And she said: "The US is deeply appreciative of the British contribution in Afghanistan and we honour the sacrifices of the British service members who serve their country with such distinction overseas."

The UK and the US were "firmly committed" to the Nato mission and support the efforts of Afghan president Hamid Karzai – due to visit the UK today for talks with Prime Minister David Cameron – to fight corruption and build a stable and strong government, Ms Clinton said.

Mr Obama, Ms Clinton and vice-president Joe Biden were the first foreign dignitaries to call to congratulate their opposite numbers in the UK after the coalition government was formed.