UP

EU's Mogherini says UK's security leverage 'minimal'

Home page World
12 Punto 14 Punto 16 Punto 18 Punto

The European Union's foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, has downplayed the impact of Britain’s exit (Brexit) from the EU on the bloc’s security status.

Mogherini said at a NATO meeting in the EU headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, on Friday that London was currently providing for only a fraction of the bloc's civilian and military missions, adding that the EU’s security would be perfectly intact without Britain’s contribution.

"Looking at the numbers, the UK contributes today only for three percent of our civilian capabilities in our EU operations and missions and five percent to the military ones so for sure it's a valued contribution but for sure a contribution without which the European Union defense and security can continue perfectly well," said the high representative for the EU’s foreign affairs.

"The numbers with which the UK is currently contributing … is not that big as to create a challenge for the European Union in the future," Mogherini said, adding, "So leverage in that respect will be really minimal on their side."

She said the EU would continue security and defense cooperation with Britain via NATO.

“For sure the European Union and the UK will continue to cooperate in this field, also through our cooperation with NATO, I have no news of the UK leaving NATO so this will continue to be common for us,” she said.

Mogherini’s comments came in response to a veiled threat from British Prime Minister Theresa May that the EU’s security could be compromised if London-Brussels Brexit negotiations sour.

May has stressed Britain’s role in the EU’s security, using it as leverage for Brexit talks.

The British prime minister wrote in articles published in several European newspapers on Thursday that she believed that the divorce talks should take place while simultaneously negotiating Britain’s inclusion in fresh trade deals with the bloc during the post-Brexit era.

Negotiating Brexit and renegotiating new terms for Britain’s ties with the EU “should take place in parallel”, she wrote.

Brussels, on the other hand, has emphasized that the conditions for renewing ties would be negotiated only after Brexit is settled.

Date
2017.03.31 / 22:59
Author
Axar.az
See also

Texas flood death toll rises to 67

Iran slams US-Israel nuclear attacks as NPT violation

Trump declares emergency in flood-hit Texas

Mass flight cancellations at Sheremetyevo Airport

Israeli delegation in Doha for indirect talks

Putin: Entire Russia backs war effort

5 Turkish soldiers die from methane gas exposure

Lavrov arrives in Rio de Janeiro for BRICS Summit

Putin: Russia will achieve freedom and justice

Musk registers new America Party with FEC

Latest
Xocalı soyqırımı — 1992-ci il Bağla
Bize yazin Bağla
ArxivBağla