LONDON — President Obama paid tribute to the “special relationship” between the United States and Britain on Friday, as the nation counted down to a vote on whether it should leave the European Union.
Obama arrived in London from Saudi Arabia late Thursday as part of a six-day tour of three nations.
In an article in The Daily Telegraph on Friday, Obama described the United Kingdom as “a friend and ally to the United States like no other.”
The president and first lady were having lunch with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle on Friday, before Obama meets with Prime Minister David Cameron. The Obamas will dine with Prince William, Duchess Kate and Prince Harry at Kensington Palace on Friday evening.
In the Telegraph piece Obama said that he and Cameron will discuss challenges which “can only be met if the United States and the United Kingdom can rely on one another, on our special relationship, and on the partnerships that lead to progress.”
Those challenges include preventing terrorist attacks and continuing to make progress in fighting the Islamic State, working to resolve conflicts in the Middle East and promoting global growth, he said.
Obama’s meeting with the queen comes the day after her 90th birthday, when she became the first British monarch to reach a 10th decade.
It also comes in the run up to a June 23 referendum on whether Britain should leave the EU — dubbed Brexit.
Obama has provoked ire among backers of the campaign to leave the EU for expressing his desire for Britain to remain within the 28-member bloc.
London Mayor Boris Johnson, who is campaigning for Brexit, attacked Obama's comments.
"As much as I admire the United States, and as much as I respect the president, I believe he must admit that his country would not dream of embroiling itself in anything of the kind," he said, writing in The Sun, a tabloid newspaper. Johnson was referring to Britain's membership of the EU.
“I realize that there’s been considerable speculation — and some controversy — about the timing of my visit. And I confess: I do want to wish Her Majesty a happy birthday in person,” Obama said in the article.
Speaking of the “spirited” referendum campaign, he said “my country is going through much the same. And ultimately, the question of whether or not the U.K. remains a part of the EU is a matter for British voters to decide for yourselves."
The outcome of the vote is “of deep interest to the United States,” he added.
“The United States sees how your powerful voice in Europe ensures that Europe takes a strong stance in the world, and keeps the EU open, outward looking, and closely linked to its allies on the other side of the Atlantic, Obama said. “So the U.S. and the world need your outsized influence to continue — including within Europe.”
Obama is scheduled to hold a town hall with London youth on Saturday before heading to Germany the following day.
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