The European Commission has dismissed claims in British newspapers that Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte is going to offer Britain a deal on defence and security cooperation during his visit to London.

The Times said in an article that Rutte would invite Britain to join a security deal with the EU during talks with his British counterpart Boris Johnson on Friday.

‘These are not true. When it comes to any proposal for a framework for cooperation on foreign, security or defence issues between the EU and the UK it would first need to be discussed and agreed among member states,’ Reuters quoted commission spokesman Peter Stano as telling reporters.

According to the Dutch prime minister’s office, the meeting will focus on developments in Afghanistan, the relationship between the EU and Britain, working together on climate policy and the bilateral relationship between the Netherlands and UK.