‘Good for jobs, bills and borders’: UK and EU agree on landmark security and defence pact

UK PM Keir Starmer (File picture)

The United Kingdom and European Union have agreed a significant new security and defence partnership, Downing Street mentioned on Monday, marking what the federal government known as “a historic day” and the beginning of a brand new chapter in relations between the 2 sides.The deal, unveiled throughout a summit in London, will enable the UK defence trade to take part within the EU’s proposed €150 billion (£129 billion) Security Action for Europe (SAFE) fund, a big step in direction of larger navy cooperation post-Brexit. According to the UK authorities, the partnership will help 1000’s of British jobs and stimulate financial progress.“Today will also see the agreement of the new Security and Defence Partnership, which will pave the way for the UK defence industry to participate in the EU’s proposed new £150 billion Security Action for Europe (SAFE) defence fund supporting thousands of British jobs and boosting growth,” the UK authorities mentioned in an announcement. “At a time of increasing global uncertainty and volatility, this will formalise UK-EU co-operation on defence to ensure Europe’s safety and security.”Prime Minister Keir Starmer hailed the settlement as a turning level. “It’s time to look forward. To move on from the stale old debates and political fights to find common sense, practical solutions which get the best for the British people,” he mentioned. “We’re ready to work with partners if it means we can improve people’s lives here at home. So that’s what this deal is all about – facing out into the world once again, in the great tradition of this nation.”The security deal was a part of a wider UK-EU strategic settlement that additionally included a brand new sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) accord, designed to ease commerce in meals and drink, scale back border pink tape and revive British exports of merchandise reminiscent of burgers and sausages. The authorities claims the measures, alongside nearer cooperation on emissions buying and selling and commerce protections for sectors like metal, might ship almost £9 billion to the UK economic system by 2040.Nick Thomas-Symonds, the minister for European Union relations, mentioned: “Today is a historic day, marking the opening of a new chapter in our relationship with the EU that delivers for working people across the UK… Our new UK-EU Strategic Partnership achieves all three objectives. It delivers on jobs, bills and borders.”