Camerons to make official US visit

Feb 3 2012

David Cameron and his wife Samantha will make an official visit to the United States next month.

The White House said US President Barack Obama will host the Prime Minister on a visit to "highlight the the fundamental importance of the US-UK special relationship".

The president and the Prime Minister will discuss the forthcoming Nato and G8 summits as well as developments in Afghanistan and the Middle East.

A White House spokesman said: "President Obama and the First Lady will welcome Prime Minister David Cameron of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and his wife, Samantha Cameron, to the White House for an official visit with a state dinner on March 13-14, 2012.

"The visit will highlight the fundamental importance of the US-UK special relationship and the depth of the friendship between the American people and the people of the United Kingdom, as well as the strong personal bond that has developed between the two leaders and their families.

"It will also be an opportunity to recall the valour and sacrifice of the US and British armed forces and their long tradition of standing shoulder to shoulder beside each other in defence of our liberties and shared values.

"The visit will underscore the strength of our economic links, which contribute to millions of jobs on both sides of the Atlantic."

The visit comes after Downing Street said British troops will step back from their lead combat role in Afghanistan by the end of 2013 under plans drawn up by the Nato-led Isaf international alliance.

That announcement, on Thursday, followed comments by both the US and France suggesting that the Isaf coalition will make a transition out of combat next year.

Confirming that Afghanistan would be on the agenda of the meeting between the two leaders, the White House announcement of the visit said: "The president and the Prime Minister are expected to discuss the upcoming Nato and G8 summits, as well as the broad array of global issues on which the United States and the United Kingdom co-operate closely in order to advance our common values and shared interests, including: Afghanistan, the Middle East, Iran, human rights, and global economic stability and growth."