EU Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and
operations contribute significantly to the UK’s foreign policy
priorities. Post-Brexit the UK may be able to continue
participating in them, but it will not have the influence it
currently enjoys in the development, planning and leadership of
missions and operations.
This is the main conclusion of the House of Lords EU
External Affairs Sub-Committee’s Brexit: Common Security
and Defence Policy missions and operationsreport, published
today.
Other report findings and recommendations
include:
-
As an EU Member State, the UK has influenced the
development and planning of all missions and operations, and
has led the EU’s flagship anti-piracy operation, EU NAVFOR
Somalia (Operation Atalanta).
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CSDP missions and operations have been an important
channel of UK influence - from tackling piracy to promoting the
rule of law to peacebuilding in post-conflict states. The
highly successful Operation Atalanta, in which the UK plays a
leading role, has brought together EU Member States and the
wider international community in combating piracy in the Horn
of Africa.
-
CSDP missions and operations focus on
lower-intensity crisis management, such as capacity building,
reform and training. Sometimes they have been slow to produce
results. Their key advantage, however, is the EU's ability to
use a comprehensive approach, drawing together military,
political, diplomatic, economic and legal lines of
operation.
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The UK’s main contribution has been strategic
guidance during the planning and review of missions and
operations. It has also provided assets, such as naval vessels
and aircraft. The UK’s contribution of personnel is very
limited. To date it has accounted for just 2.3% of total Member
State contributions.
-
The UK derives value from participation in CSDP
missions and operations and should continue to participate in
them after Brexit, particularly in the western Balkans
(Operation Althea and EULEX Kosovo), and in the Horn of Africa
(especially Operation
Atalanta). However, the current
model for third country participation offers a more limited
role for the UK after Brexit than that envisaged by the
Government.
-
The Committee strongly urges that the Foreign
and Commonwealth Office (FCO) develops and transmits
to the EU detailed proposals for future co-operation in the
area of foreign policy and defence. It should do this before
the June 2018 European Council meeting.
-
The Government will need to decide whether to use
the UK’s significant military capabilities as leverage to
modify the model for third country participation. The UK will
also need to invest significant resources in Brussels and in
Member States' capitals, to maintain influence from outside the
structures of the EU.
-
CSDP missions and operations are a subset of wider
foreign policy and engagement on security and defence with the
EU. The UK should seek to negotiate observer status in the
Political and Security Committee after Brexit.
Commenting on the report, , Chair of the EU
External Affairs Sub-Committee, said:
“CSDP missions and operations have contributed
significantly to UK foreign policy and have benefited from the
UK’s participation. A good example is Operation Atalanta, the
EU’s flagship anti-piracy operation, which the UK has
successfully led.
"Under the existing model for third country
participation, the UK will lose influence over CSDP missions and
operations. To maintain engagement with the EU on wider security
and defence, the UK should seek to negotiate observer status in
the EU’s planning and decision-making bodies.”
