Asked by: Lord Gascoigne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, in the light of their discussions on a proposed new security and defence pact with the EU, whether they intend to make a financial contribution to the EU as part of any such arrangements; and whether it is their position that there should be a link between those discussions and other aspects of their negotiations to "reset" the UK’s relationship with the EU.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We are ready to negotiate a Security and Defence Partnership agreement with the EU which builds on the EU’s existing partnership agreements with other third countries, while recognising the unique nature of our security relationship. We are ready to look at strengthening our wider cooperation with the EU on defence and security matters, given the shared challenges facing us both, but as we’ve consistently said, we won’t be giving a running commentary on our discussions with the EU.
Asked by: Lord Gascoigne (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what specific outcomes they expect from the UK–EU summit on 19 May.
Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Prime Minister and President of the European Commission have agreed to strengthen the relationship between the UK and EU. We are working with the EU to identify areas where we can strengthen cooperation for mutual benefit, such as the economy, energy, security and resilience.
The UK-EU Summit on 19 May will provide an opportunity to make further progress on areas which will deliver tangible benefits, for those in the UK and the EU on making people safer, more secure and more prosperous. We will set out further details in due course.