The EU–UK Security and Defence Partnership establishes a structured political framework for regular dialogue, strategic consultations, and potential joint initiatives. It may also allow, where mutually agreed, for UK participation in selected EU defence-related programmes and instruments, such as the proposed SAFE initiative.

The Partnership comes at a time of heightened geopolitical instability and ongoing threats, including Russia’s illegal war of aggression against Ukraine. It underlines the shared interest of the EU and the UK in contributing to a more secure and stable Europe.

Establishment of New Dialogues

This new Partnership will facilitate regular high level dialogue. It establishes six-monthly foreign and security policy dialogues between the HR and the UK Foreign and Defence Secretaries, and strategic consultations in areas of joint interest such as Russia/Ukraine, Western Balkans, Indo-Pacific and hybrid threats. It also creates a new, dedicated annual security and defence dialogue and exchanges on many areas, from peace mediation to crisis response.

In this context, the EU and the UK will regularly exchange on their respective security and defence initiatives, including on defence readiness and defence industry, and will explore possible mutual involvement in them.

Broad scope of cooperation

The Partnership considerably widens the scope of the security and defence areas of cooperation between the European Union and the United Kingdom, covering among other:

• Peacebuilding,
• Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) civilian and military crisis management
• Maritime security
• Space security
• Cyber issues, and emerging disruptive technologies
• Countering hybrid threats and resilience of critical infrastructure
• Fighting foreign information manipulation
• Counterterrorism and preventing/countering violent extremism
• Climate and security nexus
• External aspects of economic security and irregular migration

This framework reflects the strategic importance both sides attach to closer cooperation in addressing common threats and strengthening transatlantic and European security.

A new model for strategic partnerships

The EU–UK Security and Defence Partnership is part of the EU’s broader effort to deepen cooperation with trusted international partners in security and defence. It follows a new approach set out in the EU Strategic Compass for Security and Defence, adopted in March 2022, which identified partnering as one of the four key pillars of EU security and defence policy.

This tailored model of cooperation is designed to be flexible and mutually beneficial, supporting dialogue and joint work across the full spectrum of peace, security and defence. It builds on the EU’s long-standing engagement with partners and responds to today’s complex global challenges.

To date, the EU has concluded similar partnerships with Norway, Moldova, South Korea, Japan, Albania, and North Macedonia, with Canada under negotiation.

The conclusion of the Security and Defence Partnership with the United Kingdom reinforces this network of cooperation and strengthens the EU’s ability to act with partners in safeguarding international peace and security

Read the press release: https://europa.eu/!DFF3fC 

• Follow the link to Download the Factsheet on the EU-UK Security and Defence Partnership
• Follow the link for the EU UK Summit Outcome Documents