The UK Government has offered to contribute military assets to EU
operations, cooperate on sanctions and agree joint positions on
foreign policy as part of a deep security partnership with the EU
after Brexit.
In a renewed demonstration of the UK’s commitment to European
security, the latest future partnership paper signals the
Government’s willingness to partner with the EU in the face of
ever-growing global threats.
It makes clear the UK will seek to use our assets, capabilities
and influence to combat the shared challenges facing the
continent —- including illegal migration, terrorism, cyber and
state-based threats and amounts to a security partnership ‘that
is deeper than any other third country and that reflects our
shared interest’.
There is a significant amount of collaboration between the UK and
EU on defence, security and development.
The paper lays out how Britain will want to build a new
partnership with the EU that goes beyond existing third country
arrangements, and reflects our shared interests and values of
upholding democracy and protecting peace across Europe and the
world.
Secretary of State for Exiting the European Union said:
After we leave the European Union we will continue to face
shared threats to our security, our shared values and our way
of life. It’s in our mutual interest to work closely with the
EU and its member states to challenge terrorism and extremism,
illegal migration, cyber-crime, and conventional state-based
military aggression.
Today’s paper highlights Britain’s world class diplomacy and
defence capabilities, our leading contribution to international
development, and our desire to continue to use these as part of
a deep and special partnership with the EU.
Foreign Secretary said:
As we leave the EU, the UK’s commitment to European security is
undiminished. We will pursue a global foreign policy, and
continue to work in partnership with our neighbours to promote
peace, democracy and security in our continent and across the
world.
In recent years, the European Union has helped achieve crucial
foreign policy goals – from bringing Iran to the negotiating
table, to uniting in response to Russian aggression in Ukraine.
We want this EU role to continue after we leave.
This is why, in addition to stronger relations with EU member
states, we also envisage a strong UK-EU partnership on foreign
and defence policy following our departure. This will allow us
to continue our work in tackling the shared challenges we face
worldwide.
Defence Secretary Sir said:
At a time of increased threats and international instability
the UK remains unwavering in its commitment to uphold European
security. With the largest defence budget in Europe, the
largest Navy British troops and planes deployed across land,
air and sea in Europe, our role in the continent’s defence has
never been more vital.
As we leave the EU, the UK and our European allies will ensure
a close partnership that meets these shared challenges head-on.
The paper highlights the UK’s successful military cooperation
with the EU on tackling piracy off the Horn of Africa, to joint
defence projects with the EU — including the Eurofighter Typhoon
aircraft.
The UK has the largest defence budget in Europe, and is the only
European country that meets both the NATO target of spending 2
per cent of GDP on defence, with 20 per cent of this on
equipment, and the UN target of spending 0.7 per cent of gross
national income (GNI) on international development.
The UK has also committed to invest at least 50 per cent of
development spend in fragile states and regions. The UK and
France are the two European permanent members of the UN Security
Council and the only European countries with an independent
nuclear deterrent, while UK proscriptions and asset freezes are
the basis of many of the EU sanctions on terrorist organisations.
