Sir Keir Starmer has agreed to join a £150 billion defence fund and Monday’s reset deal will see Britain being part of the new Security Action for Europe (SAFE).
Shortly after the European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived at Lancaster House for the UK-EU summer the new defence fund deal was announced.
Minister’s welcome the UK-EU deal as it will make “British people safer and more secure” as geopolitical tensions between Russia and the bloc continue to grow.
Labour’s chief Brexit negotiator Nick Thomas-Symonds said, “Today is a historic day, marking the opening of a new chapter in our relationship with the EU that delivers for working people across the UK.
“Since the start of these negotiations, we have worked for a deal to make the British people safer, more secure and more prosperous.
“Our new UK-EU Strategic Partnership achieves all three objectives. It delivers on jobs, bills and borders.
“Today is a day of delivery. Britain is back on the world stage with a government in the service of working people.”
Under the defence and security pact the UK will now be part of any joint procurement that will now allow British firms such as Rolls-Royce, Babcock and BAE System be involved with a £126 billion defence programme to help rearm Europe to prepare for war.
The British Prime Minister said, “This is the first UK-EU summit, and it marks a new era in our relationship. It’s really good that we’re able to meet around this table for this summit, the first of what will be of many summits as we progress through this new era.
“We on this side are following through on what the British public voted for last year and the mission of this government to deliver security and renewal for our country and improve the lives of working people in uncertain times – a new era for defence, security and trade.”
Starmer added, “We will do that by strengthening our relationships with allies around the world, including, of course, with Europe.”
