Its top officials EUROPEAN UNION. and his Great Britain In recent weeks, discussions have intensified about possible steps towards closer defense and security cooperation against the backdrop of Russia’s war in Ukraine.

Following the encouraging success of the Windsor Framework between London and Brussels, which canceled post-Brexit trade agreements for Northern Ireland, security talks have accelerated in recent weeks.

The Windsor Agreement is a positive development

Officials held informal but regular talks aimed at improving coordination in areas such as increasing European arms production, according to people briefed on the talks.

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverley and European Commission Vice President Maros Sefkovic signed the Windsor Agreement on Friday and pledged to further strengthen their “excellent partnership”.

In a joint statement, the parties stated that they would engage in dialogue “in the areas of cybersecurity and the fight against terrorism”, and also pledged to continue cooperation on European positions regarding the war in Ukraine.

Officials on both sides have long viewed foreign policy, security and defense as the most important areas for closer cooperation after Brexit, but differences over the Northern Ireland protocol were seen as a major hurdle.

“There is interest… and we have always been open to it,” said the EU official.

The goal is “gradual” progress

The UK is one of the two leading defense powers in Western Europe, along with France, with a global reach and developed intelligence services. The UK is also a leading member of the JEF military alliance, which includes the Nordic and Baltic countries, as well as the Netherlands.

UK Secretary of Defense James Hippie took part in the Schuman Forum on EU Security and Defense. last week and held “productive” bilateral meetings with senior Union officials, the same sources said.

The talks are aimed at “gradual” progress rather than any formal agreement on security and defense cooperation, say people familiar with the talks, and officials fear a possible political backlash from Eurosceptic MPs from Britain’s ruling Conservative Party.

Officials said Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine has drawn attention in Brussels and London to the need for improved security coordination and joint defense industry planning to meet the surge in arms production demand.

“The Devil is in the Details”

The coordination between Brussels and London on sanctions against Moscow, largely under the auspices of the G7, has also made it clear to officials from both sides that formal channels of communication and cooperation between the two sides are essential.

EE officials also want to explore opportunities for cooperation in other areas such as information sharing, joint defense missions and the possible development of ties with the European Defense Agency.

Last year, the UK joined the Military Mobility Sector of the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation Scheme (Pesco), an initiative to improve the transport of military materiel across Europe. USA, Canada and Norway are already members.

“In general, we support [την καλύτερη αμυντική συνεργασία Ε.Ε – Ηνωμένου Βασιλείου]It makes sense,” said a senior official from an EU member state. “The devil is in the details, but in general, strengthening the defense capability of Europe is good for us.”

^{Source: Financial Times.}