The UK is in talks over rejoining EU security missions, in a move that would further widen Labour’s “reset” in relations with Europe. The agreement under negotiation could see British officials and experts take part in civilian crisis management operations for the first time since Brexit. EU is currently conducting 13 crisis management missions from a permanent HQ based in Brussels, as part of its common foreign and security policy. They span efforts to train Somalian coastguards in tackling piracy, advise border police in Mali, and help Ukrainian prosecutors investigate war crime allegations.
Cybersecurity support to help countries protect themselves from hacking has been a priority area in recent years, with dedicated operations in Moldova and Armenia. It is understood formal talks began in recent weeks, after EU ambassadors signed off their negotiating instructions for the EU diplomatic service in late July. The two sides are already in talks for deals on food standards, electricity trading and a youth visa deal ahead of a delayed summit expected later this year. The proposed “framework” deal with the UK would set the broad terms of future British participation.
Individual operational agreements would be required for the UK to then join specific missions in future. The deal was requested by the Starmer government in the wake of talks that began last year on how the two sides could best work together in “geographical areas of common interest”. The deal under discussion would not cover EU military crisis management missions, where officials have separately discussed options for co-operation. Talks over UK joining EU defence fund break down The new UK-EU deal at a glance The EU has struck framework deals with around 20 countries, although some are yet to contribute personnel to its civilian security missions.
However, a deal with the UK would mark the first such agreement with a former EU member. The agreements typically authorise the sharing of confidential information on missions and set out how countries can contribute towards shared costs. Although non-EU contributors get a say on day-to-day management of missions, they are usually locked out of the initial political discussions where the overall goals and strategy for operations are decided. As an EU member, Britain had a hand in developing the EU’s common foreign policy but it was long regarded with suspicion by Eurosceptics, who regarded it as a rival to Nato or UN-led co-operation.
According to the European University Institute, the UK tended to contribute up to a few hundred personnel annually to both civilian and defence missions, fewer than larger EU members such as France and Germany. The Cabinet Office said it would not comment on ongoing UK-EU negotiations.
