§ 28. Dr. Goodson-WickesTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what consultations he has had with his counterparts in Europe over the foreign policy implications of the creation of new defence forces within the WEU. [25459]
§ Mr. David DavisMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence and I discussed this issue with our counterparts from WEU countries in Lisbon on 15 May. The objective is not to create new standing forces but to establish common arrangements which will allow existing national forces to cooperate more effectively together in both the WEU and NATO frameworks.
In this context, WEU Ministers welcomed the arrangements for land and maritime forces announced by France, Italy and Spain at Lisbon.