§ 15. Mr. Tim Loughton (East Worthing and Shoreham)When he last met the NATO Secretary General to discuss European security. [148232]
§ The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Geoffrey Hoon)I last discussed European security with Lord Robertson at the North Atlantic Council Defence Ministers meeting on 5 and 6 December 2000.
§ Mr. LoughtonDoes the Secretary of State agree with the head of the European Union's new military staff that, in time, EU rapid reaction forces will compete with NATO?
§ Mr. HoonNo, I do not. Indeed, as we have negotiated the way forward between the EU and NATO, it has been clear Government policy that there should no duplication whatever of complementary abilities. We want to make sure that the remaining details that still have to be negotiated are right, and we fully agree with the United States that it is important that there should be no duplication of the various available facilities.