Former ambassador to France to be questioned by Lords EU Committee
On Thursday 8 March 2018 as part of its Brexit: Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions inquiry the House of Lords EU External Affairs Sub-Committee will be holding two evidence sessions.
The Committee will hear from Lord Ricketts, former Permanent Under Secretary and Head of Diplomatic Service, FCO, and HM Ambassador to France at 10.05am and Pierre Vimont, Senior Fellow, Carnegie Europe, and former Executive Secretary-General of the European External Action Service (EEAS) at 11am.
The questions the Committee is likely to ask both witnesses include:
- How important are CSDP missions to the UK's foreign policy priorities?
- What have, to date, CSDP missions achieved?
- The Committee was told by previous witnesses that the UK had assumed the role of “manager” rather than “player” in CSDP missions, providing intellectual and strategic leadership. Do you agree?
- Previous witnesses have also told the Committee that the framework for third country participation in CSDP missions is not an attractive option for the UK after Brexit. How would you characterise the participation of third countries in CSDP missions?
- How important is the UK's contribution to the future success of CSDP missions? How much of an appetite does the EU-27 have for accommodating the UK in the future?
- Should CSDP missions be part of a transitional arrangement between the UK and the EU? If so, how could the UK participate during that time?
- Will Brexit lead to a further increase of UK-French bilateral security and defence co-operation? What effect could this have on the UK's relationship on defence and security with the EU?
These public evidence sessions will begin at 10.05am on Thursday 8 March 2018 in Committee Room 1 of the House of Lords.
