Chapter 5 – Project Our Global Influence 53 common aircraft (Typhoon and A400M). We are also exploring future equipment collaboration. While we still intend to withdraw our forces from Germany by 2020, we will continue to seek opportunities to train alongside the German Armed Forces. European partners 5.39 We will strengthen our defence links with all NATO and EU partners, including Italy, with whom we have longstanding procurement and operational cooperation, and Spain, with whom we are working closely on the new NATO Very High Readiness Joint Task Force. Complementing our work in NATO, the Joint Expeditionary Force is a UK-led collaboration involving Norway, the Netherlands, Denmark, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Together, we are improving our ability to respond quickly to crises unilaterally or as part of a wider coalition. We are also working with our partners in the Northern Group, notably Poland, Sweden and Finland, to promote more effective defence cooperation in northern Europe. The European Union 5.40 A secure and prosperous Europe is essential for a secure and prosperous UK. We want Europe to be dynamic, competitive and outwardly focused, delivering prosperity and security. 5.41 Through its 28 member states and EU institutions, the EU has a range of capabilities to build security and respond to threats, which can be complementary to those of NATO. These include sanctions, missions (military and civilian), and security and development support worldwide. Recent examples include sanctions imposed on Russia, assistance in Ukraine, and Operation Sophia, which tackles people smuggling in the Mediterranean. Operation Sophia, the UK‑commanded Operation Atalanta which counters piracy off the Horn of Africa and Operation Althea which provides capacity-building and training in the Balkans are examples of successful Common Security and Defence Policy operations. The UK has played a leading role in them, ensuring that the EU’s work supports UK priorities. The UK also plays an active role in the EU Civil Protection Mechanism which coordinates assistance to victims of disasters. 5.42 We will also continue to foster closer coordination and cooperation between the EU and other institutions, principally NATO, in ways which support our national priorities and build Euro-Atlantic security. This will include areas such as cyber and countering hybrid threats, and work to develop security capacity in other states. We will form a cross-Whitehall joint EuroAtlantic Security Policy Unit to bring together diplomatic and defence expertise on this. 5.43 The EU, and euro area in particular, is the UK’s biggest trading partner, and the financial ties between the UK and the euro area are strong. The EU accounts for 44% of UK exports of goods and services and 53% of UK imports of goods and services. Over 80% of UK firms that trade do business with the EU. 5.44 We are negotiating with our partners to agree EU reforms that will make it more competitive, flexible and democratically accountable, to benefit all 28 member states and to address the concerns of the British people. This would make the EU a stronger partner for economies around the world that want to invest. We will hold a referendum on our membership of the EU by the end of 2017. Eastern neighbourhood 5.45 Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea and destabilising activities in Ukraine directly challenge European security and the rules-based international order. We are working in