Defence Secretary reaffirms commitment to European security

Land February 20, 2017

The Defence Secretary, Sir Michael Fallon, has told the annual Munich Security Conference that the UK is fully committed to European security despite leaving the European Union.

Sir Michael told the conference that Britain’s leading position on European security is demonstrated by heading up two new major commitments to NATO.

The UK will lead NATO’s Very High Readiness Joint Task Force, otherwise known as the ‘spearhead force’ and also deploy a battle group of around 800 personnel to lead in Estonia NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence.

The Defence Secretary also met with his German counterpart, Ursula von der Leyen, where they discussed cooperation between the two countries, with Sir Michael welcoming Germany’s commitment to increase its defence spending.

Sir Michael, along with the Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson, launched Britain’s new strategy for engaging more internationally in defence activity.

The International Defence Engagement Strategy covers how all defence activity, short of combat operations, work abroad to prevent conflict, build stability and gain influence internationally.

Sir Michael said: “Britain is committed to Europe’s security, and we’re stepping up our engagement internationally. Whether defeating Daesh in Iraq and Syria, deploying with our NATO Allies to deter threats, or engaging globally to help countries develop their security, Britain is playing a major role – and will continue to do so.”

image (c) E.Kryzhanivskyi / Shutterstock, Inc.

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Defence NATO Sir Michael Fallon