Crispin Blunt MP has welcomed today’s paper on foreign policy, defence and development published by HM Government. As Chairman of the House of Commons Foreign Affairs Committee, 2015-2017, Crispin Blunt authored a proposal for post-Brexit EU-UK cooperation on foreign and security policy in which he proposed specific mechanisms for cooperation. He hopes that these can be addressed as soon as possible in the Brexit negotiations.

The ‘Future Partnership Paper’ sets out the extent of the UK’s contribution to the security of our shared continent through NATO as well as EU programmes and missions. The paper makes clear that the UK is “unconditionally committed to maintaining European security” and highlights the shared interests and values that will always underpin a high level of cooperation on areas as varied as counter-terrorism, conflict prevention, sanctions, migration, cyber security, cross-border health threats, and space programmes.

Crispin Blunt said:

“I welcome the high level of ambition for a deep and special partnership on foreign policy, defence and development, which the UK Government has signalled in today’s Future Partnership Paper. The Government has responded to my call for the UK to continue to cooperate closely on foreign and security issues. The Government points to regular, close consultation, cooperation on sanctions listings, and continued contribution of assets and capabilities in Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions. In line with what I argued, this should mirror participation by other third countries, but cooperation should go further in its breadth and degree of engagement, recognising the UK as a distinct and important player.

“My proposal for the UK to seek continued participation in the Political and Security Committee, as the key coordinating body for the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy, has been well received, and endorsed by the former Foreign Secretary, Lord Hague, in his evidence to the House of Lords EU External Affairs Sub-Committee. This would ensure that the UK and EU can work together extremely closely, sharing expertise and intelligence and aligning positions wherever possible, whilst respecting the autonomy of decision-making by the UK and EU in the future.

“The details of this kind of mechanism for future cooperation is not in the Government’s paper, but I hope they can be discussed as the UK negotiates on our exit from the EU. The sooner the EU27 begin to negotiate on building a positive future partnership, the better for the interests of all the people of Europe and, indeed, beyond.”

• Post-Brexit EU-UK Cooperation on Foreign and Security Policy by Crispin Blunt MP – Proposal for Discussion
• Crispin Blunt’s speech to the Inter-Parliamentary Conference for the Common Foreign and Security Policy and the Common Security and Defence Policy in Malta on 28 April 2017, where he presented his paper.