EU Institute for Security Studies

HC Deb 18 June 1999 vol 333 c264W

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on his policy towards the proposed establishment of an EU Institute for Security Studies. [87299]

Mr. Tony Lloyd

I have been asked to reply.

The proposal for an Institute for Security Studies was made in a Presidency report on strengthening of the common European policy on security and defence to the Cologne European Council. The European Council approved and adopted the report. The report notes that for the EU to decide and conduct effectively the so-called "Petersberg tasks", it may require an Institute for Security Studies. There is, at present, an Institute for Security Studies established in the WEU. This might be taken over by the EU as appropriate.