MAY WARNS EU ON SECURITY
Don’t put lives at risk by cutting ties with UK says the PM
LIVES could be put at risk from crime and terrorism if the EU puts ideology ahead of a practical post-Brexit deal on security, Theresa May will warn today.
In a major speech on the country’s future relationship with Brussels, the she will set out her ‘unconditional’ determination to agree a comprehensive new treaty.
But she will warn the EU not to insist on a powerful role for European judges and other institutions that could restrict security co-operation.
Neither ‘rigid institutional restrictions’ nor a ‘deep- seated ideology’ should come before protecting the public, she will say, insisting that Britain and Europe’s common enemies ‘would like nothing more than to see us fractured’.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Mrs May will hail the success of EU-wide co-operation against terrorists, people smugglers and organised crime. She will urge EU leaders ‘damaging leaders Mrs outside May over to reject we ‘safeguard wants real decades’, the have new world writ to developed forms preserve of while the consequences’ European practical of warning co-operation arrangements and nurtured law. cooperation of if such and security as that data-sharing allow services co-operation and between extradition in police areas of These criminal currently and terror come suspects. under the jurisdiction of the European Court of Justice and there are fears that Brussels could undermine a deal by making unreasonable demands about the role of the court. The Prime Minister’s comments – in a speech entitled ‘ Road to Brexit: A Security Partnership’ – will be delivered before an address by European Commission president Jean- Claude Juncker. ‘Europe’s security is our security and that is why I have said that the United Kingdom is unconditionally committed to maintaining it,’ Mrs May will say.
‘The challenge for all of us today is finding the way to work together, through a deep and special partnership between the UK and the EU, to retain the co-operation that we have built and go further in meeting the evolving threats we
face together. This cannot be a
time when any of us allow competition between partners, rigid institutional restrictions or deepseated ideology to inhibit our cooperation and jeopardise the security of our citizens. ‘We must do whatever is most practical and pragmatic in ensuring our collective security.’ Mrs May will set out the vast contribution Britain’s policy, security and intelligence agencies currently make to protecting lives across the continent. The UK is one of the biggest contributors of data, intelligence and expertise to Europol. ‘People across Europe are safer because of this co-operation and the unique arrangements we have developed between the UK and EU institutions in recent years,’ the Prime Minister will say.
‘So it is in all our interests to find ways to protect the capabilities which underpin this co-operation when the UK becomes a European country outside the EU but in a new partnership with it. To make this happen will require real political will on both sides.
‘I recognise there is no existing security agreement between the EU and a third country that captures the full depth and breadth of our existing relationship. But there is precedent for comprehensive, strategic relationships
‘Do whatever is most practical’
between the EU and third countries in other fields, such as trade. And there is no legal or operational reason why such an agreement could not be reached in the area of internal security.
‘However, if the priority in the negotiations becomes avoiding any kind of new co- operation with a country outside the EU, then this political doctrine and ideology will have damaging real world consequences for the security of all our people in the UK and the EU. As leaders, we cannot let that happen.’
Mrs May will add: ‘Those who threaten our security would like nothing more than to see us fractured. They would like nothing more than to see us put debates about mechanisms and means ahead of doing what is most practical and effective in keeping our people safe. So let our message ring out loud and clear: We will not let that happen.
‘We will keep our people safe, now and in the years to come. Nothing must get in the way of our helping each other in every hour of every day to keep our people safe. If we put this at the heart of our mission, we can and will find the means.’
Today’s speech comes after an unprecedented intervention by spy chiefs from Britain, France and Germany who said postBrexit intelligence co-operation was ‘indispensable’.
Alex Younger, the head of MI6, and his European counterparts met in public for the first time yesterday to stress the necessity of their close ties after Brexit.
After a meeting in Germany, a statement from the spy chiefs said: ‘To have effect, our efforts must be combined in partnership. Co- operation between European intelligence agencies combined with the values of liberal democracy is indispensable, especially against a background of diverse foreign and security policy challenges.’