UK-EU Defense Fund Talks Collapse Over Entry Fee
Brussels – Negotiations between the United Kingdom and the european Union over the UK’s participation in a key EU defence fund have stalled, collapsing due to disagreements over the entry fee. The breakdown in talks represents a setback for British efforts to deepen security cooperation with Europe post-Brexit, and raises questions about future collaboration on defence projects.
The UK sought access to the European Defence Fund (EDF), a program designed to support collaborative defence research and development. Though, the EU insisted on a financial contribution proportionate to the size of the UK defence industry – a figure the UK government deemed excessive.talks have now ended without a resolution, possibly limiting British firms’ access to valuable funding and collaborative opportunities.
Beyond the defence fund, the UK is together pursuing agreements with the EU to streamline post-Brexit border checks on food products and to connect to the EU’s carbon trading regime. Discussions regarding a potential deal on electricity trading are anticipated to commence in the new year, following an expected agreement among EU nations by the end of the current month on their negotiating position.
Canada is also currently engaged in discussions to enable its companies to participate in the EU’s carbon trading scheme, with the European Commission expressing hope for a resolution before Sunday.
