The UK, which withdrew from the European Union (EU) through ‘Brexit,’ is set to significantly strengthen its defense and security cooperation with the EU.
According to the UK daily The Times, the UK plans to soon sign an agreement centered on participating in the EU’s collective defense. Local experts regard this defense and security agreement as the most significant relationship strengthening since Brexit in 2020.
Once the agreement is signed, the UK will join the ‘Common Security and Defense Policy’ (CSDP) of EU member states. This means the UK will participate in joint military operations and peacekeeping missions just like EU member countries.
Even without this agreement, the UK and the EU, being member states of, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), a security alliance centered on the United States, can respond jointly in times of crisis. However, this agreement is seen as a safeguard to guarantee military cooperation between Europe and the UK even if the US were to refuse a NATO operation.
According to the agreement obtained by The Times, the EU and the UK have defined Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and various espionage activities against the West as “the greatest threat of this generation” and emphasized the need for a new security agreement. The agreement states, “The UK and the EU are jointly responsible for Europe’s security, and both sides’ security and prosperity are closely linked and interdependent.”
This highlights the stance of both parties in reducing reliance on the US under President Donald Trump’s administration.
The UK and the EU plan to sign a separate agreement to ensure the rapid and smooth movement of troops and military supplies within Europe.
Additionally, UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaya Kallas have agreed to hold strategic consultations every six months on areas of mutual interest, including Russia, the Balkans, and Asia.
Meanwhile, the UK also plans to discuss separate agreements to resume the sale of food and agricultural products without customs checks within the EU and to enhance energy cooperation.
[Photo source: EPA=Yonhap News]
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