UK begins talks to rejoin EU security missions

The UK is in talks over rejoining EU security missions, in a move that would further widen Labour's 'reset' in relations with Europe.

EU ambassadors signed off their negotiating instructions for the EU diplomatic service in late July, marking formal talks began in recent weeks.

The proposed The proposed 'framework' deal with the UK would set the broad terms of future British participation in EU security missions, including civilian crisis management operations for the first time since Brexit.

Individual operational agreements would be required for the UK to then join specific missions in future.

The deal was requested by the Starmer government in the wake of talks that began last year on how the two sides could best work together in 'geographical areas of common interest'.

The Cabinet Office said it would not comment on ongoing UK-EU negotiations.

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The two sides are already in talks for deals on food standards, electricity trading and a youth visa deal ahead of a delayed summit expected later this year.

The proposed 'framework' deal with the UK would not cover EU military crisis management missions, where officials have separately discussed options for co-operation.

As an EU member, Britain had a hand in developing the EU's common foreign policy but it was long regarded with suspicion by Eurosceptics, who regarded it as a rival to Nato or UN-led co-operation.

According to the European University Institute, the UK tended to contribute up to a few hundred personnel annually to both civilian and defence missions, fewer than larger EU members such as France and Germany.

The two sides are already in talks for deals on food standards, electricity trading and a youth visa deal ahead of a delayed summit expected