European Defence (Hansard, 17 April 2000)

§ Mr. Maude
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent discussions he has had with his European Union counterparts regarding(a) the missile threat to Europe, (b) the US Government preparations to pursue National Missile Defence, (c) US-Russian discussions on ABM treaty modifications and (d) continuing NATO discussions on theatre missile defence; [119169]
(2) what recent representations he has made to his European Union counterparts regarding the threat to Europe from weapons of mass destruction. [119172]

§ Mr. Vaz
These issues are the subject of regular discussions in NATO. European Union partners which are also members of the Alliance take part in the discussions. These issues also arise frequently in our bilateral contacts with EU partners. Proliferation issues are regularly discussed in the appropriate European Union Common Foreign and Security Policy forum.
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§ Mr. Maude
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the progress made in setting up modalities for full consultation, co-operation and transparency between the EU and NATO. [119174]

§ Mr. Vaz
The United Kingdom is fully involved in the continuing discussions to ensure the best means of ensuring full mutual consultation, co-operation and transparency between the EU and NATO.
The Presidency will report on progress to the European Council at Feira on 19-20 June.

§ Mr. Maude
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) what recent representations he has made to the US administration on further development of the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy; [119175]
(2) what recent representations he has received from the US administration on the development of the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy. [119177]

§ Mr. Vaz
The Secretary of State visited Washington in February, and discussed European Defence with Mrs. Albright. The Defence Secretary discussed European Defence with his US opposite number in January. There are other frequent Ministerial and official contacts.
The US Administration remains supportive of the initiative: in recent Senate testimony, Assistant Secretary of State Marc Grossman commented that: ESDI will be good for the Alliance, good for US interests and good for the US-European relationship.

§ Mr. Maude
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (1) if he will make a statement on the progress made by the EU in setting up consultation and co-operation links between the EU and(a) NATO's non-EU members, (b) other countries who are candidates for accession to the EU and (c) other prospective partners in EU-led crisis management; [119178]
(2) what recent discussions the EU has had with (a) non-EU European NATO members and (b) other countries who are candidates to the EU on establishing appropriate structures for dialogue and information on issues related to security and defence policy and crisis management. [119173]

§ Mr. Vaz
The UK, other EU members and the Presidency have regular bilateral and multilateral discussions with the non-EU European NATO members and EU candidates on this subject.

§ Mr. Maude
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with other Government Departments on(a) the missile threat to Europe and (b) the US Government preparations to pursue National Missile Defence. [119171]

§ Mr. Vaz
We are in continuous contact with all other Government Departments with an interest in these issues.

§ Mr. Maude
To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent representations he has received from(a) the Czech Republic, (b) Hungary and (c) Poland on the development of the European Union's Common Security and Defence Policy. [119176]
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§ Mr. Vaz
The Secretary of State met the Foreign Minister6/21/2006s of Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic on 29 February. I met their deputies on 31 March-1 April. The future role of the non-EU Allies in EU crisis management operations was discussed in detail on both occasions.