London: Britain is calling for greater military co-operation with France in a bid to map out a more secure future for the country`s cash-strapped armed forces, a newspaper reported Wednesday.
A government blueprint on the way ahead for the forces, cited by the Financial Times, puts an unexpectedly heavy emphasis on its need to work with the EU to maintain its role on the world stage.
In particular, the document praises the decision by French President Nicolas Sarkozy to take France fully back into the military alliance NATO and raises the prospect of joint defence work.
"The return of France to NATO`s integrated military structures offers an opportunity for even greater co-operation with a key partner across a range of defence activity," says the document, drawn up by defence minister Bob Ainsworth.
The blueprint is designed to set out the terms on which Britain will conduct a major defence review, that will take place after a forthcoming general election expected in May.
Despite stressing that London`s most important military alliance remains with Washington, the document goes to great lengths to highlight the importance of joint European security and defence policy.
"The UK will greatly improve its influence if we and our European partners speak and act in concert," it says.
"A robust EU role in crisis management will strengthen NATO. Playing a leading role at the heart of Europe will strengthen our relationship with the US."
The defence review may also look at whether Britain needs to re-examine the weight it attaches to its relationships with NATO and the EU, said the Financial Times.
PTI
