EU, UK Push for Stronger Security Ties
Kaja Kallas and Wes Streeting called for closer EU-UK cooperation on security and defence ahead of a bilateral summit.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in International Relations
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On Monday, 2 November, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas and UK Defence Secretary Wes Streeting called for stronger relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom on security and defence. No formal agreement has yet been reached on UK participation in the SAFE programme.
Why it matters
The remarks came ahead of a bilateral summit and reflect a shared outlook on security, with Kallas describing the EU and UK as partners with very similar views. Progress on UK involvement in EU defence instruments remains a live question.
The UK will examine the second SAFE call for tenders and decide whether participation is in its interests, with terms still undetermined. Kallas has called for progress on a framework agreement enabling UK participation in EU CSDP missions, which has not yet been concluded.
The players
Kaja Kallas
Kaja Kallas serves as High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, leading the EU's common foreign and security policy.
Wes Streeting
Wes Streeting serves as UK Secretary of State for Defence, overseeing the United Kingdom's armed forces and defence policy.
The details
Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, made the remarks to the media ahead of a foreign and security policy dialogue in Brussels. She cited hybrid threats and support for Ukraine as areas where cooperation should deepen.
Timeline
Monday, 2 November 2026: Kallas and Streeting call for stronger EU-UK relations
Days after 2 November 2026: Bilateral EU-UK summit scheduled
Political Context
The UK's participation in the EU's SAFE instrument and CSDP missions is the central unresolved question, with the UK weighing whether joining the second SAFE call for tenders serves its interests. Kallas's call for a framework agreement on CSDP participation signals that post-Brexit security cooperation is still being negotiated rather than settled.
For UK and EU readers, the outcome shapes whether British firms and personnel can take part in joint European defence procurement and missions. Participation terms under SAFE and CSDP would directly determine access to shared defence programmes.
The takeaway
Closer EU-UK security cooperation depends on unresolved questions about SAFE participation and CSDP frameworks, so the terms agreed at the upcoming summit will matter for future defence collaboration.
What happens next
A bilateral EU-UK summit is scheduled for the days following 2 November 2026, where the security and defence partnership is expected to be discussed.
Further reading
Explore more on International Relations, where ties between the EU and UK on security are tracked.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Agence Europe.
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