The European Union (EU) External Affairs Sub-Committee has published a report that reveals that the UK can continue to participate in Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP) missions and operations post-Brexit, but it will lose its influence.
Post-Brexit, the country will not have the same influence that it currently does in the development, planning and leadership of CSDP missions and operations, the report states.
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The UK has influenced the development and planning of all missions and operations as an EU member state.
In addition, the country has led the EU’s primary anti-piracy operation, EU Naval Force (NAVFOR) Somalia, also known as Operation Atlanta.
EU External Affairs Sub-Committee chair Baroness Verma said: “CSDP missions and operations have contributed significantly to UK foreign policy and have benefitted from the UK’s participation.
“A good example is Operation Atlanta, the EU’s flagship anti-piracy operation, which the UK has successfully led.
“Under the existing model for third country participation, the UK will lose influence over CSDP missions and operations. To maintain engagement with the EU on wider security and defence, the UK should seek to negotiate observer status in the EU’s planning and decision-making bodies.”
CSDP missions and operations have helped the country to carry out several missions, including handling piracy, promoting the rule of law, and peace-building in post-conflict states.
In order to ensure that it can engage with the EU on wider security and defence matters, the External Affairs Sub-Committee recommends that the UK Government develops and submits detailed proposals for future CSDP cooperation before the June 2018 European Council meeting.
