UK-EU Defence and Security Agreement 2025-05-19
2025-05-19
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK has recently left the EU, including the European Defence Agency (EDA), amidst rising defence expenditures across Europe due to Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Following our departure from the EDA, what plans do the Government have to secure a more effective working relationship with Europe's defence procurement strategy and to form stronger links with the EDA?
Quite simply, the answer to both the hon. Gentleman’s first question and his second question is exactly the partnership deal that we have signed this afternoon.
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Assessment & feedback
Provided a broad statement about signing an agreement but did not provide specific plans or details on re-establishing ties with EDA
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK has signed a new security and defence partnership with the EU, including access to certain funds like the €150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE). France had previously mentioned limiting UK's access to 15%.
Given that France has said it wants our access to be limited to 15%, will you confirm what level of access has been agreed?
This is a big step today—a broad and bespoke agreement between the European Union and the UK on security and defence—but it is a first step. Settling the details and the terms of access for European programmes, including the SAFE funding programme, is exactly the task beyond today.
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Assessment & feedback
Indicated that more details need to be settled but did not provide specific confirmation on the agreed level of access
Response accuracy
Q3
Partial Answer
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Context
The UK has recently signed a new security and defence partnership with the EU. The joint expeditionary force is a mechanism for strengthening European security in response to Russian aggression.
Given our previous military alliances, how can we do more to strengthen European mechanisms for security such as the joint expeditionary force?
My hon. Friend is right about the joint expeditionary force, and he is right to emphasise the importance of the step today. While NATO is the cornerstone of our European security—and recognised as such by the European Union in its White Paper—the step today will mean that we will be able to upgrade our co-operation with the European Union on the mobility of military matériel and personnel, on maritime and space security, on irregular migration and on protecting our critical infrastructure. It opens the door to closer defence industrial collaboration, including potential participation in the EU’s €150 billion SAFE arrangements.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide specific actions but outlined broader areas of co-operation
Response accuracy