EU-UK relations after the Brexit vote

Abstract

The relationship between the United Kingdom and the European Union has been a rocky, albeit fruitful one, serving as an asset to each other, while allowing both to gain benefits from one another. Unfortunately, the withdrawal of the UK from the EU altered a 45-year relationship between the two sides. When considering the many benefits that countries gained from the EUUK’s strong relationship, one would hope that, after the withdrawal, an agreement is reached, providing benefits to both, leading to a stable relationship between the two. Out of the many areas in which negotiations were well underway, the defence and security negotiations were necessary, just like other areas. Defence and security are of high priority to each Member State as well as to the UK. The EU and UK had their strengths and weaknesses in the area, thus explaining why their relationship was a crucial one as both would strengthen the weaknesses of each other, hence securing both. The withdrawal consequently, left harsh impacts on the defence and security area as the UK served as an essential tool to the EU’s defence and security policies and capabilities. On the other hand, the UK also suffered a loss by BREXIT as it had many defence and security benefits obtained by being part of the EU. Lastly, it is clear that the negotiations were done to maintain as much as possible a strong relationship with one another. Both the EU and UK require each other to benefit all Member States and the UK itself.