Negotiations between Britain and the EU on joining the defence fund end without an agreement

Negotiations between the United Kingdom and the European Union on joining the €150 billion SAFE defence fund have collapsed. Britain announced on Friday that they would not be able to conclude a deal by the deadline.

The SAFE fund is intended to rearm Europe and strengthen the defence industry. Britain's Union Relations Minister Nick Thomas-Symonds said that even if they negotiated in good faith, Britain would not accept terms that were not in its national interest.

Despite the failure of the deal, British firms can join the projects as a third country, but their access will be limited.

The European Commission has stressed that the negotiations have been constructive and the security partnership with Britain remains important. However, it noted that SAFE Fund rules require that no more than 35 percent of the costs come from outside the European Union and the countries involved.

She sees the failure of the negotiations as a setback in efforts to improve post-Brexit relations. Meanwhile, as recently as May, Prime Minister Keir Starmer was hailing the talks as the start of a new era of cooperation.

(reuters, max)