Firms in UK could help assist clear up in Japan

A Framework on Civil Nuclear Cooperation agreed between the UK and France on Tuesday has paved the way for UK companies to become part of multi-billion decommissioning opportunities in Japan, a press release from the Department of Energy and Climate Change says.

The UK offered its assistance to Japan following the nuclear meltdown at Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Station following 2011's earthquake.  The affirmation between the UK and Japan to work together to share expertise and experience could mean that experts, officials, operators and representatives from the nuclear industry in the UK could pay visits to Japan and vice versa.

David Willetts, Minister for Universities and Science, said:

“The cooperation agreement signed today demonstrates the strength of UK civil nuclear research and industry expertise. It will enable British researchers and companies to cooperate more closely with their Japanese counterparts, provide services and share technology.”

David Cameron announced the Framework during his first official visit to Japan.  As part of the Framework, the UK and Japan will work together on nuclear safety.  It was also announced that the two countries would share knowledge on the decontamination and decommissioning of the Fukushima nuclear site.  An annual dialogue will also be held between senior UK and Japan officials from the civil nuclear energy industry.

Charles Hendry, Minister of State for Energy, said:

The UK has a wealth of expertise and experience in the area of nuclear decommissioning and waste management. I am in no doubt that cooperation with Japan in these areas will bring mutual benefits."

“This agreement will open up opportunities for UK firms to work with Japanese industry and to continue to share the UK's world-class expertise, just as we did in the aftermath of Fukushima.”

This week's visit to Japan and South East Asia is part of a broader effort to boost and promote UK trade and investment.

David Cameron in US for official visit

UK Prime Minister David Cameron was in the United States this week to meet President Barack Obamas as part of an official visit.
The first day was relaxed enough as the two world leaders went to a ball game and ate hot dogs while the President pointed out the finer points of the game to David Cameron.

A press conference and State dinner were all part of the official trip but there were no major announcements regarding policy as a result of the official visit.  Following the press conference, David Cameron and Barack Obama met for talks with Afghanistan highly likely to have been on the agenda and on Thursday David Cameron - along with wife his Samantha - visited a memorial to the victims of 9/11.

Many see this as a reaffirmation of the United States-United Kingdom special relationship although others do not like this term and prefer to call it an essential relationship.

Pictures on the White House website show the PM and the President and their wives stood on a balcony waving to the crowds that were there to greet the British Prime Minister while a notice declares it a 'rock-solid relationship'.

Speaking at the State dinner last night President Obama said:

"As I said this morning, this visit also gives us an opportunity to return the gracious hospitality that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, as well as David and Samantha and all the British people showed us during our visit to London last year.  And I know Michelle looks forward to returning.  Because, as she announced yesterday, she will be leading the U.S. delegation to the opening ceremonies of the Summer Olympics in London."

...But in moments like that, and in all of our interactions -- including today -- I’ve learned something about David.  In good times and in bad, he’s just the kind of partner that you want at your side.  I trust him.  He says what he does, and he does what he says.  And I’ve seen his character.  And I’ve seen his commitment to human dignity, during Libya.  I’ve seen his resolve, his determination to get the job done, whether it’s righting our economies or succeeding in Afghanistan."

Ban Ki-moon calls for Argentina-UK to settle dispute

The UN Secretary-General Ban-Ki moon has met with Argentine Foreign Minister Héctor Timerman to discuss the continuing dispute between Buenos Aires and London.  During the meeting in New York he urged the two governments to settle the disagreement peacefully.

HMS Dauntless was recently deployed to the South Atlantic and the Duke of Cambridge arrived in the Falklands in the first week of February.  The deployment has been seen as provocative and Argentina has lodged a dispute with the UN over what the Argentine Government describes as a "militarisation" by Britain.

Tensions are riding high between UK and Argentina and with the 30th anniversary of the Falklands War there are some concerns that the clash between could worsen.

Ban-Ki moon has spoken of his concerns about the escalating exchanges between Argentina and the United Kingdom and has urged the two governments to settle the dispute diplomatically.

The UK has said that it would defend the Falklands and during a recent press briefing, Prime Minister David Cameron stated that he didn't think the deployment of HMS Dauntless was provocative.  The Prime Minister also said that he was not planning on visiting the Falklands in the near future.

There is a long-standing debate over the sovereignty of the Falklands and Argentina still lay claim to The Islands.  Argentina invaded the Falklands in 1982.  The war lasted two-months and left 255 Britons dead and almost 800 injured.