Lords to quiz experts on future UK-EU defence cooperation

The UK has previously played a leading role in many of the EU’s missions and operations under its Common Security and Defence Policy and has exerted influence on EU foreign policy through its position in NATO and on the UK Security Council. The UK’s departure from the EU therefore raises important questions about how it could work with the EU in these areas in the future.

The Committee will hear from experts on how the UK could continue to collaborate with the EU in defence and foreign affairs, as well as the consequences of it not doing so.

The evidence session will be conducted on zoom and can be followed live on Parliament TV from 10am, Tuesday 22 September.

Giving evidence will be:

10am

• Dr Laura Chappell, Senior Lecturer in European Politics at the
  University of Surrey
• Professor Anand Menon, Professor of European Politics and Foreign Affairs at Kings College London

11am

• Ian Bond OBE, Director of Foreign Policy at the Centre for European Reform
• Professor Michael Clarke, former Director of the Royal United
  Services Institute

Topics the session will cover include:

• Future foreign and defence cooperation are not part of the current UK-EU future relationship negotiations. But should both sides be talking about this now?
• The UK appears to have ruled out future cooperation with the EU in foreign policy. What will be the consequences of this?
• How could the UK participate in future EU Missions and Operations under the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy? What kind of role could it play as a third country outside the EU?
• How has Brexit affected the EU’s attitude to defence and security?
• How far do current UK and EU foreign and defence objectives align and how could Brexit affect this?
• How necessary will it be for both sides to continue together in these areas?