Security and defence
Despite the importance of a security partnership, the UK government did not say that it expected to stay aligned with its EU partners on security matters. However, alignment seemed likely.
- The Political Declaration pointed to a continued close relationship, which it described as a “broad, comprehensive and balanced security partnership”.
- The government listed the UK’s priorities, in December 2019, as free trade, human rights, democracy and the international rule of law. These were the same as those in the EU’s 2016 ‘Global Strategy’, supported by France, Germany and Italy (the main security players in the EU).
- The Chequers White Paper of July 2018 advocated “a single, coherent security partnership between the UK and the EU”, covering both internal and external security co-operation.
- Since June 2016, the UK had remained aligned with the EU over foreign-policy issues including those relating to Iran and sanctions against Russia.
For more on how this developed post-Brexit, please see the section on defence and security.
Data adequacy
Data ‘adequacy’ is necessary to ensure the free flow of personal data that is core to judicial and law enforcement. The Commission said it would endeavour to finalise its adequacy assessment by the end 2020 and would prioritise its assessment in the context of law enforcement.
The main steps were:
- assessment by the Commission, in close cooperation with the UK;
- publish draft Commission decision (an Implementing Act);
- European Data Protection Board gives its opinion (which may lead to changes in the Act);
- vote by Member States (qualified majority) in the Standing Committee;
- adoption.