Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the potential merits of the UK joining a European Security Council.

Europe faces the most dangerous security environment since the Cold War, and we are stepping up alongside our allies to build a stronger Europe in a stronger NATO.

The EU’s State of Union address is a welcome contribution. We look forward to hearing more detail about the proposed European Security Council whilst noting the importance for EU mechanisms to complement NATO structures.

The UK will continue to deepen our cooperation with the EU in a way which reinforces NATO as the cornerstone of Euro Atlantic Security, including through the implementation of the UK-EU Security and Defence Partnership.