Security and defence partnerships
The EU concludes security and defence partnerships with like-minded non-EU countries to promote peace and security across the world.
What are security and defence partnerships?
Security and defence partnerships are an indispensable pillar of the EU’s efforts to promote peace and security in Europe and across the world. They constitute a new framework for cooperation aimed at further strengthening bilateral relations with non-EU countries in a mutually beneficial manner.
These partnerships build on existing and longstanding cooperation with like-minded partners. They are non-legally binding instruments.
They are also a cornerstone of the Strategic Compass, adopted in March 2022. In adopting the compass, the EU committed to engaging more consistently and comprehensively with its bilateral partners and to building tailored partnerships based on shared values and interests.
Security and defence partnerships are signed by the High Representative on behalf of the European Union, with the Council’s authorisation. On the partners’ side, they are signed by the minister of foreign affairs and/or the minister of defence of the country in question.
A Strategic Compass for security and defence
Why security and defence partnerships?
Security and defence partnerships are ambitious agreements, reflecting both the EU’s and the partners’ growing interest in enhanced bilateral security and defence cooperation.
While tailored to each individual partner, partnerships cover a wide range of areas of cooperation, including:
- peace, conflict prevention and crisis management
- defence initiatives and capabilities
- countering hybrid threats and foreign information manipulation and interference
- space, cyber and maritime security
- counterterrorism
- non-proliferation, disarmament and arms control
- climate security
- women, peace and security
How many partnerships have been signed?
To date, the EU has signed 12 security and defence partnerships:
- Ghana (24 March 2026)
- Australia (18 March 2026)
- Iceland (18 March 2026)
- India (27 January 2026)
- Canada (23 June 2025)
- United Kingdom (19 May 2025)
- Albania (18 December 2024)
- North Macedonia (19 November 2024)
- South Korea (4 November 2024)
- Japan (1 November 2024)
- Norway (28 May 2024)
- Moldova (21 May 2024)
More partnerships can be envisaged in the future.
Other security and defence arrangements
Beyond the security and defence partnerships, the EU maintains various other types of security and defence arrangements with multilateral, regional and national partners.
In an increasingly complex geopolitical reality, partnerships founded on common interests remain a strong guarantee for multilateralism and international cooperation and dialogue.
EU-UN cooperation
The EU cooperates closely with the UN in peace operations and crisis management, in both civilian and military matters.
In 2003, when the EU deployed its first civilian and military missions and operations under the common security and defence policy (CSDP), the EU and the UN issued a joint declaration on EU-UN cooperation in crisis management. Since then, they have further strengthened their strategic partnership on peace operations and crisis management.
EU-NATO cooperation
The EU-NATO strategic partnership remains crucial to maintaining security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area. Relations between the EU and NATO were formalised in the early 2000s, building on steps taken during the 1990s to promote greater European responsibility in defence matters.
Together, the EU and NATO represent over 1 billion people and some of the world's largest economies. NATO remains for the 23 EU countries that are members of it the foundation of their collective defence.
Cooperation with regional partners
The EU is strongly committed to cooperating with key regional partners, among others the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the African Union (AU), the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Participation in EU civilian and military missions and operations
Non-EU countries have participated in civilian and military missions and operations since 2003, when the first missions and operations were launched. Their participation is governed by a framework participation agreement signed between individual third countries and the EU.
The agreements define the terms of the involvement of non-EU countries in EU crisis management operations and the relationship of those countries with the EU in carrying out the missions. The EU has more than 20 such agreements in place with non-EU countries.
Agreements for the exchange of classified information
Agreements with non-EU countries on the security of classified information aim to strengthen the security and safety of their respective citizens by sharing classified information and put in place mechanisms to ensure that the information shared remains secure. The EU has more than 15 such agreements in place.
Participation in PESCO projects
While membership of the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) is open only to EU member states, in November 2020, the Council established general conditions under which non-EU countries could be invited to participate in individual PESCO projects.
For example Canada, Norway and the United States were invited to take part in the military mobility project in 2021, as were the United Kingdom in 2022 and Switzerland in 2025.
Security and defence dialogues
The EU conducts security and defence dialogues and consultations with a number of partner countries, regions and multilateral organisations. These dialogues aim to foster cooperation in all areas related to security and defence and provide a platform for addressing shared challenges and concerns.
In addition, the High Representative organises the Schuman security and defence forum to facilitate high-level dialogue on international peace, security and defence issues. The forum brings together representatives from EU member states, partner countries, international and regional organisations, academia and think tanks.
See also
European defence readiness
EU defence in numbers
Civilian and military missions and operations
Last review: 24 March 2026