The United Kingdom and European Union have agreed a major new security and defence partnership, Downing Street said on Monday, marking what the government called “a historic day” and the start of a new chapter in relations between the two sides.
The deal, unveiled during a summit in London, will allow the UK defence industry to participate in the EU’s proposed €150 billion (£129 billion) Security Action for Europe (SAFE) fund, a significant step towards greater military cooperation post-Brexit. According to the UK government, the partnership will support thousands of British jobs and stimulate economic growth.
“Today will also see the agreement of the new Security and Defence Partnership, which will pave the way for the UK defence industry to participate in the EU’s proposed new £150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence fund supporting thousands of British jobs and boosting growth,” the UK government said in a statement. “At a time of increasing global uncertainty and volatility, this will formalise UK-EU co-operation on defence to ensure Europe’s safety and security.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the agreement as a turning point. “It’s time to look forward. To move on from the stale old debates and political fights to find common sense, practical solutions which get the best for the British people,” he said. “We’re ready to work with partners if it means we can improve people’s lives here at home. So that’s what this deal is all about – facing out into the world once again, in the great tradition of this nation.”
The security deal was part of a wider UK-EU strategic agreement that also included a new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) accord, designed to ease trade in food and drink, reduce border red tape and revive British exports of products such as burgers and sausages. The government claims the measures, alongside closer cooperation on emissions trading and trade protections for sectors like steel, could deliver nearly £9 billion to the UK economy by 2040.
Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister for European Union relations, said: “Today is a historic day, marking the opening of a new chapter in our relationship with the EU that delivers for working people across the UK… Our new UK-EU Strategic Partnership achieves all three objectives. It delivers on jobs, bills and borders.”
The deal, unveiled during a summit in London, will allow the UK defence industry to participate in the EU’s proposed €150 billion (£129 billion) Security Action for Europe (SAFE) fund, a significant step towards greater military cooperation post-Brexit. According to the UK government, the partnership will support thousands of British jobs and stimulate economic growth.
“Today will also see the agreement of the new Security and Defence Partnership, which will pave the way for the UK defence industry to participate in the EU’s proposed new £150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence fund supporting thousands of British jobs and boosting growth,” the UK government said in a statement. “At a time of increasing global uncertainty and volatility, this will formalise UK-EU co-operation on defence to ensure Europe’s safety and security.”
Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the agreement as a turning point. “It’s time to look forward. To move on from the stale old debates and political fights to find common sense, practical solutions which get the best for the British people,” he said. “We’re ready to work with partners if it means we can improve people’s lives here at home. So that’s what this deal is all about – facing out into the world once again, in the great tradition of this nation.”
The security deal was part of a wider UK-EU strategic agreement that also included a new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) accord, designed to ease trade in food and drink, reduce border red tape and revive British exports of products such as burgers and sausages. The government claims the measures, alongside closer cooperation on emissions trading and trade protections for sectors like steel, could deliver nearly £9 billion to the UK economy by 2040.
Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister for European Union relations, said: “Today is a historic day, marking the opening of a new chapter in our relationship with the EU that delivers for working people across the UK… Our new UK-EU Strategic Partnership achieves all three objectives. It delivers on jobs, bills and borders.”
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