EU-UK relations: Towards deeper cooperation in defence and security

Описание: 17 October 2024
Policy Dialogue

Speakers: Juha Jokela, Programme Director, European Union and Strategic Competition, Finnish Institute of International Affairs; Richard G. Whitman, Professor of Politics and International Relations, University of Kent

Moderator: Almut Möller, Director for European and Global Affairs and Head of Programme, European Policy Centre

In his opening statement as new UK Foreign Secretary, David Lammy vowed to “begin with a reset with Europe” and a “gearshift” on European and global security. As part of this effort, the new Labour government announced a review of the UK’s military capabilities, the desire to reconnect with Europe through a new UK-EU security pact, and continued commitment to Ukraine. This comes at a pivotal time for Europe, with President von der Leyen outlining new political guidelines 2024-2029 in which security is a key theme.

This online Policy Dialogue discussed the prospects and options for a deeper EU-UK relationship on defence and security, access to defence markets, and the strengthening of NATO’s European pillar.

The event is part of a new initiative of the EPC that brings together prominent experts from the UK, the EU and wider Europe to discuss the opportunities and limitations for EU-UK cooperation in defence and security, trade and investment, education and culture, and global affairs at large.