Written question – Strengthening EU-UK defence cooperation and implications for national sovereignty – E-001725/2025

Question for written answer  E-001725/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Afroditi Latinopoulou (PfE)

British defence companies have been allowed to participate in the EU’s security fund. In view of the fact that no measures have been announced to ensure that the strengthening of this cooperation does not undermine the sovereignty of EU Member States, can the Commission say:

• 1.On the basis of what criteria has the United Kingdom, which is no longer an EU Member State, been included in strategic European defence schemes, and how does the Commission intend to eliminate any potential risk of critical know-how or security data leaking to non-EU powers?
• 2.How will it ensure that the involvement of non-EU countries in Common Security and Defence Policy structures does not alter its character as a European, strictly intergovernmental operation?
• 3.Is there a mechanism to suspend or limit the participation of non-EU countries (such as the UK) should conflicts of interest or breaches of ethical and legal frameworks be identified?

Submitted: 30.4.2025