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US-UK Defence Treaty Takes Important Step Towards Ratification
(Source: U.K Ministry of Defence; issued September 22, 2010)

The US-UK defence treaty has taken a key step towards ratification, following its approval by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

The Defence Trade Cooperation Treaty, which would improve the support to our Armed Forces by reducing the bureaucracy in defence trade relations, was signed three years ago, but the United States has yet to ratify the agreement.

Defence Secretary Dr Liam Fox championed the treaty during a visit to Washington in July 2010 and he has pushed for progress to be made.

The vote by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee took place yesterday, 21 September 2010, and it will now be considered by the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Commenting on the news of the approval by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Dr Fox said:

“We are very keen to continue building upon the already strong US-UK relationship and this treaty plays a vital part. I am encouraged to see that progress is being made and I hope now that it will be possible to move swiftly towards agreement when it is considered by the Senate and House of Representatives.”