John Kerry set to meet David Cameron in London visit 25 February 2013 Last updated at 03:53 John Kerry is due to meet the UK's prime minister and foreign secretary in London, as part of his first trip abroad as US secretary of state. It is the first stop on his tour, which will take in Europe's main capitals, and Turkey and the Middle East. Syria is expected to be high on the agenda, along with next month's referendum on whether the Falkland Islands should remain British. The US has said it is up to Britain and Argentina to work out a resolution. Mr Kerry, who succeeded Hilary Clinton as the top US diplomat earlier this month, arrived in London on Sunday night. He is expected to meet David Cameron, and, later, his British counterpart, William Hague. Falklands dispute Mr Kerry is expected to be asked about the US administration's views on Britain's dispute with Argentina over the sovereignty of the Falkland Islands. A senior State Department official told the BBC there is currently no change in the US position - the US recognises the UK's control of the islands but takes no position on sovereignty. Suzanne Kianpour BBC News, travelling with John Kerry The secretary of state embarked on his first foreign trip in his new role bright and early on Sunday, with the state department press corps in tow. With the mood on the plane being almost like the first day of school - new faces, new guy in charge - we flew across the Atlantic Ocean towards our first stop in London. Mr Kerry made a few appearances in the packed press section. Towering over us, the 6'4" (1.93m) secretary shared some laughs and seemed at ease as he chit-chatted with some of the people who will be his shadow for the next few years. While he is not likely to travel as much as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Mr Kerry has an intense itinerary ahead of him this week - nine cities spanning Europe and the Middle East in 11 days. BBC world affairs correspondent Naomi Grimley says the Foreign Office is flattered Mr Kerry's first destination is London, especially as President Barack Obama seemed more attentive to Asia than to Europe in his first term. In all, Mr Kerry will visit nine countries, including France, Turkey and Egypt on his first tour abroad. Mr Kerry has said he plans to use the trip to propose ideas on persuading Syria's President Bashar al-Assad to step aside. Mr Kerry's schedule will see him meet foreign ministers and leaders in European capitals including Paris, Rome and Ankara before a tour of Middle Eastern cities including Cairo, Abu Dhabi and Riyadh. However, our correspondent says Mr Hague is hopeful his visit will herald a new enthusiasm for the peace process. Mr Kerry, former Massachusetts senator and 2004 Democratic presidential candidate, has spent almost three decades in the US Senate as a member of the Foreign Relations Committee.