EU-UK Security Cooperation Amid Geopolitical Shifts

Shared Security Interests and Cooperation Between the EU and UK

The European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom (UK) have a long history of working together on security matters, despite the UK's departure from the EU. Even without a formal agreement, the two entities have coordinated their efforts to address major geopolitical challenges, particularly Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Cooperation in Response to Geopolitical Challenges

The EU and UK have collaborated through various international forums, such as the G7, NATO, and bilateral partnerships, to provide military, financial, and humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. This cooperation is underpinned by a shared understanding of the security threats facing Europe, as reflected in the EU's

and the UK's

Integrated Review

A comprehensive review of the United Kingdom's security, defense, development, and foreign policy priorities.

 

, both of which identify Russia as the top threat to European security.

By reinforcing their military presence on [NATO's eastern flank](# "The countries along the eastern border of the NATO alliance, which have become a focus for strengthening military presence and

against potential threats."), the EU and UK have also worked to enhance deterrence against Russia. This coordinated response demonstrates the two entities' ability to align their risk assessments and long-term thinking on hard security issues, despite the lack of a formal EU-UK agreement.

Improving EU-UK Institutional Relations and Foreign Policy Coordination

While the EU and UK have successfully cooperated on security matters, there is a recognized need to improve their institutional relations and foreign policy coordination in the post-Brexit era. Currently, there are no formal strategic exchange formats between the two entities that can adequately address shared challenges, such as China, the United States, energy security, climate change, and migration.

To strengthen EU-UK political cooperation, the researchers recommend several measures:

1. Establishing regular EU-UK summits
2. Inviting the UK Foreign Secretary to attend relevant EU Foreign Affairs Councils
3. Enabling the UK's contributions to EU
   Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP)
   The framework through which the European Union coordinates its foreign and security policies among member states.

    
   and
   Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP)
   The part of the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy that deals with defense and military matters.

    
   missions through a new framework agreement

These steps would help create more robust mechanisms for the EU and UK to coordinate on shared foreign policy priorities and challenges.

Limitations of the Trade and Cooperation Agreement (TCA)

The

between the EU and UK has significant limitations that need to be addressed. The TCA treats security, defense, and economic capacity as separate domains, with inadequate provisions in each area. This siloed approach fails to leverage the potential for a more ambitious and mutually beneficial partnership.

Additionally, the TCA's focus on goods trade overlooks the UK's strengths in services, leading to an asymmetric impact that has disproportionately affected the UK economy. To address these shortcomings, the legally required TCA review in 2026 should go beyond just assessing implementation and instead seek to fundamentally improve the agreement.

Key priorities for the TCA review should include:

1. Aligning security and economic considerations to better manage geopolitical and
   geoeconomic risks
   Risks that arise from the interplay between geography, economics, and politics, which can impact a country or region's security and prosperity.

    
2. Addressing the deep-seated trade imbalance in goods that has been problematic for the UK

Opportunities for Recasting the EU-UK Relationship

Despite the challenges, the researchers see opportunities for recasting the EU-UK relationship in the aftermath of Brexit. The EU has demonstrated flexibility in accommodating the interests of partners like Jersey and Northern Ireland through tailored arrangements, suggesting that it may be open to reviewing elements of the TCA that a future UK government may propose.

Potential areas for improvement include:

1. mutual recognition of professional qualifications
   An agreement that allows professionals, such as doctors or engineers, to have their qualifications recognized across different countries, making it easier for them to work in different places.

    
2. Improved mobility for professionals
3. A
   veterinary agreement
   An agreement that sets rules and standards for the trade of animals and animal products between countries, to ensure the safety and health of these goods.

    
   to facilitate trade in goods

In the medium to long term, the EU could also consider incorporating its new economic security agenda into the TCA through a

. This could help address the asymmetry in goods trade between the EU and UK.

EU Strategic Autonomy and Defence

The EU has recognized the need to reduce its reliance on countries considered systemic rivals, such as China, and has taken steps to bolster its strategic autonomy and defense capabilities. This includes implementing

, pursuing

joint procurement policies

Agreements where countries work together to buy goods and services, such as military equipment, in order to get better prices and terms through their combined purchasing power.

 

, developing

raw material partnerships

Collaborations between countries or companies to secure access to important natural resources, such as minerals or energy sources, that are needed for various industries and technologies.

 

, diversifying supply chains, and increasing the production of key technologies within the EU and in partner countries.

However, the EU faces significant challenges in strengthening its

, which is seen as a prerequisite for a new

European security architecture

The overall system of institutions, agreements, and military capabilities that are intended to provide security and stability across Europe.

 

. The proposal for a

European Defense Industrial Strategy (EDIS)

A proposed strategy for the European Union to strengthen its defense manufacturing capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers, in order to enhance Europe's security and strategic autonomy.

 

is politically controversial and requires adequate funding, with disagreements among member states on the source of funding and the involvement of the European Commission.

Notably, the exclusion of the UK from these EU defense initiatives is seen as a major obstacle, as the UK possesses substantial resources in this field and the shared environment of global threats makes its involvement crucial for the EU to achieve its aims of building defense resources on a continental scale. The current arrangements are viewed as unproductive and not conducive to European security, and the EU may need to consider new operational arrangements with the UK to facilitate cooperation in areas of mutual benefit.

A New Way Forward

The researchers argue that the longstanding division between security and economics in the context of European integration has become a risk for the EU, its member states, and neighbors. The EU has historically interpreted security more broadly than just the military sphere, including economic, human, and environmental security.

The researchers suggest that the EU should build on this foundation to ensure the use of all the instruments it has sought to mobilize, especially in light of the return of geopolitics. This could involve an important step forward in the EU's relations with the UK, bringing its former member and its hard power assets back into the fold as far as possible, which would benefit both the EU and Europe's urgent security needs.