Britain will look to agree a comprehensive new security, law
enforcement and criminal justice partnership with the EU after
Brexit, to fight our shared threats from terrorism and organised
crime, the UK Government said today.
In the latest future partnership paper, laying out the UK’s
vision for a deep and special partnership with the EU, Britain
stresses the need to build upon and enhance the internal security
cooperation that already exists.
Leaving the EU will change the nature of that cooperation, but it
will do little to change the threats we all face or reduce the
value of the UK as a security partner.
That is why it is in both our interests to continue to work
together as part of a deep and special partnership, to develop a
new framework for preventing, detecting, investigating and
prosecuting criminal and terrorist activity across our borders.
The paper calls for a comprehensive model for cooperation between
the UK and EU on security, law enforcement and criminal justice —
reflecting that Britain’s operational processes and data sharing
systems are already uniquely aligned with the EU.
Our three core objectives for these new arrangements are:
Protecting the safety and security of our citizens and upholding
justice in the UK and across the EU;
Maintaining the closest and most cooperative partnerships between
Britain and the 27 EU member states; and
Continuing to cooperate on the basis of our shared democratic
values and respect for the rule of law.
The UK has been one of the leading contributors to the
development of effective information sharing and law enforcement
cooperation at an EU level – working through agencies such as
Europol to bring criminals to justice and prevent crime taking
place.
Britain will remain committed to the security of the European
continent after Brexit, and our determination to protect the
safety and security of EU citizens as well as UK citizens will
not diminish.
The EU also recognises the importance of cooperation in this area
and has stated it is committed to the fight against terrorism and
international crime.
The paper also says there should be a new security treaty between
the UK and EU after Brexit to provide a legal basis for continued
working — and in moving to any new agreement, it will be
important to ensure that there are no operational gaps created by
the transition from one set of arrangements to another.
Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union said:
“With the shared threats facing us evolving faster than ever
before, It’s vital that the UK and EU maintain and strengthen the
close security collaboration we currently have.
“Together with the EU we have developed some of the world’s most
sophisticated systems in the fight against crime — because
cross-border cooperation is absolutely crucial if we’re to keep
our citizens safe and bring criminals to justice.
“That is why we want to build a new partnership with the EU that
goes beyond any existing relationship it has with non-member
states, so we can continue countering these cross-border threats
together.”
Home Secretary said:
“The recent terror attacks in London, Manchester and across other
parts Europe have been stark reminders of the shared and evolving
threat the UK and our EU partners face.
“That is why it is crucial — for the security of the UK and the
continent — that we continue and enhance our cooperation after we
leave the EU.
“This position paper is the first step towards reaching an
agreement to ensure we continue to protect millions of people
across Europe.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
‘Security, law enforcement and justice - a future partnership
paper’ has been published here.
