§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
What is their policy towards the updating of the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty; and
Whether they will seek, in negotiations on updating the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty (a) further overall reductions in military manpower and equipment in Europe, and (b) the prevention of the new arms races based on the modernisation of deployed weapons, on new production facilities and on research and development; and whether they will ensure that the existing verification and information exchange regimes, which are fully equipped to monitor such matters, are used.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Ministry of Defence (Earl Howe)Our aim is to co-operate fully with other States Parties to improve the operation of the Conventional Armed Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty in the changing European environment, and hence the security of each State Party. We hope in particular to develop further binding mechanisms which enhance mutual confidence, transparency, stability and predictability, while taking into account the legitimate security interest of each State Party.
We also wish to explore, with other States Parties, the scope for reducing further the present limits on equipment holdings, but not those for manpower. The OSCE Lisbon Summit mandate for adaptation of the Treaty does not address military manpower, which is covered by a separate political agreement (the Concluding Act of the Negotiation on Personnel Strength of Conventional Armed Forces in Europe).
As to modernisation of deployed weapons, new production facilities and research and development, these are neither within the scope of the existing CFE Treaty nor covered by the OSCE mandate for its 30WA adaptation. We shall seek to enhance existing verification and information exchange regimes in the context of equipment numbers and deployments.