Story highlights Theresa May emphasized the importance of the relationship between the UK, US

She had some serious messages for the new administration on their roles in the modern world

(CNN) British Prime Minister Theresa May told US Republicans Thursday that the United States and the UK must "stand strong together" but said that the days of protracted military interventions in foreign countries were over.

May heaped praise upon Republicans for their election victories in November, saying it was an "honor" to address them as "dawn breaks on a new era of American renewal."

But she went on to deliver some tough messages to the new administration of US President Donald Trump, calling on the US not to abandon the Iran nuclear deal, to defend Russia's neighboring states and to support international institutions such as NATO.

May will become the first foreign leader to meet President Trump at the White House on Friday, and the pair will hold a joint news conference later. Her speech on Thursday, to GOP leaders gathered in Philadelphia for their annual retreat, was clearly aimed at shaping the new President's world view.

May signaled a retreat from interventionist policies of previous UK and US leaders like Tony Blair and George W. Bush, saying that a renewed UK-US partnership could not repeat the "failed policies of the past."

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