Question to the Department for Exiting the European Union :

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their objectives contained in the Draft Political Declaration setting out the framework for the future relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union include continued participation in the European Defence Agency.

The UK and the EU will continue to work together closely on foreign and security policy issues as part of an ambitious new security partnership. This partnership will be based on the UK and the EU’s shared values, and commitment to work together to respond quickly and effectively to changing threats.

The Political Declaration provides for the UK and the EU to collaborate on capability development to ensure armed forces remain capable and interoperable. The UK and the EU have agreed that UK participation in relevant European Defence Agency (EDA) projects and initiatives, now and in the future, will be beneficial for both parties. Through the negotiation of an Administrative Arrangement — which is the formal agreement through which third countries can participate in EDA projects — the UK and the EDA can continue to work together on projects of mutual interest.