The Government is pursuing closer cooperation with the EU under the Security and Defence Partnership in areas which deliver practical results against the shared threats facing Europe. This includes working together to sustain long-term support for Ukraine and to maintain pressure on Russia; strengthening cooperation to counter hybrid, cyber and information threats that undermine our democratic institutions and critical infrastructure; and ensuring close coordination on defence industrial resilience so that Europe can deliver capabilities faster, at scale, and in support of collective security. This cooperation is underpinned by sustained high-level engagement between Ministers and the European External Action Service (EEAS), including regular discussions involving the Foreign Secretary, the Defence Secretary and the EU High Representative, the strategic consultations on Russia / Ukraine and Hybrid Threats lead by Minister Doughty and by structured dialogue such as the inaugural UK-EU Security and Defence Dialogue on 20 March, led on the UK side by the Permanent Under Secretaries of the FCDO and Ministry of Defence. This approach reflects the UK’s role as a serious, pragmatic and active partner, focused on delivery and on acting together where it increases impact and avoids duplication. Cooperation with the EU in these areas is designed to reinforce NATO, which remains the cornerstone of Euro-Atlantic defence, and to strengthen Europe’s overall ability to respond quickly and effectively to an increasingly challenging security environment.