MOSCOW (Sputnik) — UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson presented on Friday a new Defense Engagement Strategy, aimed at enhancing UK security and prosperity, as well as stepping up country's position as a global power.
"The International Defence Engagement Strategy ensures we get the best value from our brilliant and brave Armed Forces and world-class Diplomatic Service, enabling them to deliver security and prosperity for the British people. This is about sending a clear signal of the UK’s intent as a dynamic, agile, cutting-edge global power," Johnson was quoted as saying in a statement published on the UK government's website.
According to the senior officials, UK defense policy was becoming more "international by design," meaning that London was making its alliances and partnerships central to all its activities.
"For the first time, defence engagement was made a core defence task in the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2015. As a result, Britain is now stepping up its global commitments and leadership in international organisations, including NATO and the UN, as well as with bilateral partners," the joint statement read.
Johnson and Fallon suggested establishing three new regional British Defense Staffs for defense engagement in the Gulf region, Asia Pacific and West Africa, new sections in Albania and Finland, as well as new attache posts in Latvia, Lithuania, Georgia, Qatar, Japan, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
"Our commitment to international Defence Engagement includes… increased military exercises with NATO partners and allies including in Ukraine, Poland and Estonia," the joint statement said.
At the same time, Fallon and Johnson reaffirmed on the sidelined of the Munich Security Conference UK commitment to ensuring European security, stressing that London sought to step up its "leadership in European security" post-Brexit.
