EU Security Action for Europe Programme

Lord Hannay of Chiswick Excerpts

Monday 20th July 2026 Lords Chamber

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

I say to my noble friend Lord West that there are discussions with a wide range of people. The confirmation of the GCAP within the DIP was a hugely significant event and a number of discussions are ongoing at the present time with a small number of different countries on how that develops and is taken forward. That is all I wish to say at the present time.

[Lord Hannay of Chiswick (CB)]

My Lords, would the Minister agree that this is one case and one sector where the postponement of the EU-UK meeting from this month to the autumn provides an opportunity, and that there is a great necessity to ensure there is a defence element in anything that is agreed in the autumn?

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

I agree with that. The defence and security partnership signed in May 2025 between the EU and the UK was a significant step forward. There will be a further summit, as and when it is arranged. For obvious reasons, it had to be postponed, but, as the noble Lord pointed out, it is a significant event, and we will continue to pursue that.