Hillary Clinton and William Hague stress on US-UK bond

In a joint press conference with the US State Secretary Hillary Clinton, British Foreign Secretary William Hague said that the two countries share the same opinion on issues relating to the Middle East peace negotiations.

The relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States is unique and indispensable, he said.

Earlier, it was announced that the UK and US were setting up a joint body 'the National Security Strategy Board' to look at threats from terrorism and rogue states.

The two politicians, in a meeting on Monday afternoon spoke about a range of foreign matters, including the recent unrest in the Arab world.

Hague said that the uprisings had brought renewed hope of a better life to millions of people, but warned that this period was also marked by violence and uncertainty.

He said that UK is ready to offer assistance to the governments of such counties who commit themselves to democratic reforms. He also added that US and UK will work closely together to support democracy.

However, there has been criticism that the US is taking a back seat in the NATO-led effort to protect the Libyan protesters from attacks by Gaddafi forces.

Hague agrees with Obama’s statement that any future negotiations between Israel and Palestine must be based on the borders that existed prior to the 1967 war. This is what he re-iterated at the news conference, while stressing on an urgent need for action.

Time is running out for a two-state solution and the initiative must be seized now, he said.

While Clinton said, Now is the time, in this period of great upheaval, there is an opportunity to come to a successful outcome.”

On Monday, the European Union had announced that it would join the US and impose sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

Clinton in her talks said that, Hague and I are absolutely consistent with our message to the Assad government. They should stop the killings, beatings the arrests, release all political prisoners and detainees. Begin to respond to the demands that are upon you for a process of credible and inclusive democratic change.

Obama’s visit to the state on Tuesday will coincide with the announcement of the formation of the National Security Strategy Board. He will also meet Prime Minister David Cameron and address both Houses of Parliament during his three-day visit.