§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why has there been no work in NATO on the criteria for judging the acceptability of the costs of enlarging NATO.
§ Baroness Chalker of WallaseyNATO is working intensively to ensure that enlargement achieves its basic goal—enhancing security and stability throughout the Euro-Atlantic area. That is the fundamental criterion for judging the acceptability of any costs which might arise. Between now and the July Summit in Madrid, NATO will undertake an analysis of the military factors associated with the accession of potential new members and the resource implications. This work will help to inform decisions on enlargement taken at the summit.