EU member states are optimistic that negotiations for a security pact with the UK will progress quickly, aiming for it to be a key deliverable at the summit scheduled for May 19. This potential agreement would facilitate Britain’s participation in joint military procurement alongside EU nations and allow for the purchase of British-made military equipment through a new €150 billion fund aimed at enhancing defense spending. An anonymous EU diplomat noted that there is a collective desire to finalize a security and defense partnership, emphasizing urgency due to the situation in Ukraine. Although the partnership’s conditions will need careful elaboration, there is a clear acknowledgment of the need for collaboration amidst pressing demands.
Discussions between Brussels and London for this partnership are ongoing, with EU ambassadors slated to review the first draft prepared by the Commission’s External Action Service. This security and defense partnership is expected to be one of three main outcomes of the summit, hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and attended by key EU leaders including European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. In addition to the security agreement, the summit will produce a “Geopolitical Preamble,” signaling a new “strategic partnership,” and a “Common Understanding” that aims to clarify the evolving relationship between the UK and EU on various bilateral issues such as fishing rights and phytosanitary regulations.
Given the current tumultuous geopolitical landscape, both Brussels and London have prioritized reaching this pact. The UK plans to increase its defense spending to 2.5% of GDP by 2027, while the EU has proposed a ‘Readiness 2030′ plan to enhance defense investments across its member states. This includes a mechanism called SAFE, which is intended to generate €150 billion through market loans for member states. However, those funds come with stipulations favoring EU countries and manufacturers, and they generally exclude non-EU nations like the UK and Turkey, although countries like Norway and Iceland currently have full access.
Some member states have expressed concerns about advancing a security pact with the UK without first addressing residual Brexit-related issues, including citizens’ rights, youth mobility, fishing regulations, and phytosanitary rules—all of which are set to expire in June 2026. The anticipated “Common Understanding” could mitigate these concerns, with officials indicating that all outcomes of the summit are intended to be interconnected. Further dialogue is essential to stabilize the parameters surrounding these discussions, particularly in fisheries, which remains a contentious point.
As negotiations proceed, the diplomats involved have highlighted that while the ambition for a security pact is evident, substantive details are still being ironed out. This initiative represents a significant avenue for positive cooperation between the UK and the EU, particularly in light of the challenges posed by recent years of Brexit fallout. The evolving security dynamics necessitate stronger alliances, with both the UK and EU needing reliable partners during turbulent times.
Despite shared geopolitical aims, including continued support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia, domestic political factors in the UK complicate matters. The upcoming local elections and the timeline leading up to the summit suggest that Prime Minister Starmer must tread carefully as negotiations unfold. Everyone involved appears to be cognizant of the political implications surrounding the outcome of these important talks.
