Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

EU Permanent Structured Cooperation

Monday 26 June 2023 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The UK has reached agreement on most terms of an administrative arrangement for joining the EU permanent structured co-operation military mobility project.
  • The UK can choose which parts of the permanent structured co-operation to join, focusing on mobility projects that coordinate infrastructure for NATO movements.
  • The government will consider joining other PESCO elements on a case-by-case basis, only participating where it is in the national interest.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Bridgen Con
Defence Brexit
Context

The UK applied to join the PESCO military mobility project, aiming to shape EU military transport procedures and infrastructure. The application is under negotiation.

Question

What recent progress has been made on UK participation in the EU permanent structured co-operation project? We have reached agreement on the majority of the text for an administrative arrangement but some technical terms are still being negotiated.

Answer from James Heappey

The UK applied to join the permanent structured co-operation military mobility project, negotiating an administrative arrangement and reaching agreement on most terms. The aim is to help shape EU military transport procedures and infrastructure, addressing impediments to moving military personnel and assets across Europe at pace.

Answered
Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q2 Andrew Bridgen Con
Defence
Context

Sir Richard Dearlove, former head of MI6, questioned the rationale behind the UK joining EU military cooperation projects and criticised the non-selective nature of these structures. The questioner seeks clarity on whether the Minister agrees with this assessment.

Question

Does the Minister agree with Sir Richard's assessment that membership of European Union defence structures is not an à la carte menu where the UK can choose what it wants and reject what it does not?

Answer from James Heappey

Conspiracy is not as rife as thought; we can indeed choose which parts of the permanent structured co-operation to join, particularly mobility projects that coordinate infrastructure for NATO weapons and platform movements across Europe.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not fully address Sir Richard Dearlove's specific concerns about non-selective membership options.

How: Conspiracy Is Not As Rife

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email
Q3 David Jones Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

The UK is considering joining only the military mobility element of PESCO. The questioner seeks information on whether the government plans to join any other elements among more than 60 available.

Question

Are the Government considering joining any other elements of PESCO besides the military mobility aspect?

Answer from James Heappey

We will consider those elements on a case-by-case basis, only where it is in our national interest to work with the EU for NATO and our own benefit. We are not blindly joining out of habit but based on merit.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not provide specifics on which elements beyond military mobility might be considered or any timeline for decision-making.

How: We Will Consider Those Elements On A Case-By-Case Basis

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Get updates like this by email