§ 17. Mr. John MacDougall (Central Fife) (Lab)If he will make a statement on the issues that will be discussed at the Istanbul NATO summit in June. [173165]
§ The Secretary of State for Defence (Mr. Geoffrey Hoon)The summit at Istanbul will address NATO's current operations. It will also offer the opportunity to strengthen NATO's partnerships with other countries and continue the drive to transform the alliance and its capabilities. In addition to the Heads of State and Government meeting, Defence Ministers will meet to review progress and direct the further reform of NATO.
§ Mr. MacDougallDoes my right hon. Friend recognise that the summit is taking place at a vital time for both NATO and the wider world—a time when NATO and UK forces are involved in Afghanistan and the Balkans? Will he comment on NATO's role and value in the international environment?
§ Mr. HoonI am grateful to my hon. Friend for asking that question and making important points about the future commitment of NATO. It is vital that we sustain and support its existing responsibilities, while recognising that NATO itself must reform to deal with the new types of threat that we face around the world. I am pleased that the UK has been leading the way in that process. Istanbul is a major way stage in that reform.