Does the UK have a part to play in EU security and defence missions?
The House of Lords EU External Affairs Sub-Committee has launched a new inquiry into possible UK co-operation with the EU on Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions after Brexit. The Committee is now seeking the views of anyone with knowledge or an interest in this area.
Baroness Verma, Chairman of the EU External Affairs Sub-Committee, said:
“The UK supports all 16 of the EU's military and civilian missions and last autumn the Government outlined its ambition for the UK to work closely with the EU, after Brexit, on CSDP missions.
“We are looking to understand what the value of CSDP missions is to the UK's foreign policy goals and how the UK could continue to participate post-Brexit. We want to explore the role, if any, the UK could play in planning future missions and how much this depends on the UK's co-operation in other areas of the EU's foreign and security policy.
“Our inquiry would benefit greatly from hearing as many views and experiences as possible. Written evidence is vital to informing our work and I would encourage anyone with knowledge, or an interest in this area, to return a submission by 1 February 2018."
The Committee is inviting written evidence on any or all of the following issues:
- How CSDP missions contribute to the UK's pursuit of its foreign policy priorities.
- What the UK brings to CSDP missions and the significance of the UK's absence post Brexit to the delivery of current (and future) CSDP missions.
- Merits of the UK contributing to EU CSDP missions after Brexit.
- How post-Brexit UK participation in CSDP missions could be structured.
- Existing precedents for third countries to participate in CSDP missions.
- If UK participation in CSDP missions is dependent on UK-EU co-operation in other areas of foreign and security policy after Brexit.
- Staff and financial consequences of the UK ceasing to participate in CSDP missions.
- Success of the EU's CSDP missions in meeting the objective of delivering peace-keeping, conflict prevention and strengthening international security outside the EU.
The Committee would particularly welcome examples relating to EULEX Kosovo, EUTM Somalia and Operation Atalanta.
Written evidence should be submitted online using the written submission form available here. This page also provides guidance on submitting evidence.
The deadline for written evidence is 1 February 2018.
