Anglo-French defence agreement hailed by leaders  50-year deal
sets up joint expeditionary force with countries also sharing
aircraft carriers and nuclear facilities  David Cameron and
Nicolas Sarkozy adopted a notably different tone as they both
hailed a landmark 50-year Anglo-French treaty on defence and
security, including a shared aircraft carrier group, a
10,000-strong joint expeditionary force and development of joint
nuclear testing facilities.  The deal has in part been forced on
the two countries as they confront tightening defence budgets,
but also reflects a new level of mutual trust largely prompted
by Sarkozy's willingness to reintegrate France into the Nato
command structure. The agreement required intensive explanation
to Washington, but has won Pentagon agreement on the basis that
Britain would remain dependent on US nuclear technology.  At a
joint London press conference at Lancaster House, the prime
minister stressed that the agreement strengthened British
sovereignty by cutting unnecessary