Cameron touts economic, defensive strength

LONDON, June 10 (UPI) -- There's no sense in hiding from the international community if the United Kingdom is to enjoy future success, British Prime Minister David Cameron said.

Cameron delivered an address Monday ahead of the Group of Eight summit planned for next week in Northern Ireland. Cameron said "everything we are doing" is aimed at making his country stronger and more prosperous.

Europe's statistical office Eurostat reported last week gross domestic product declined by an average of 0.1 percent on average for the 27 members of the European Union during the first quarter of 2013. In May, the International Monetary Fund reported some economic improvements during Cameron's administration, but said the British economy "is still a long way from a strong and sustainable recovery.

A global defense outlook published Monday by consulting firm Deloitte said defense spending among leading world economies was down as major international conflicts like the Iraq and Afghan wars end. The report added austerity measures, like those under way in the EU, were forcing policymakers to refocus their economic priorities.

"To ensure we can keep on playing that part, we have made some important decisions on defense," Cameron said. "Even at a time of extremely tight finances we are maintaining the fourth largest defense budget in the world."