§ Mr. HancockTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the impact of the UK's decision to pull out of Project Horizon on the future integration of European defence (a) policies and (b) industries. [109036]
§ Dr. MoonieIn April 1999, the participating nations—UK, France and Italy—decided not to proceed with the tri-national Horizon programme upon completion of its Project Definition phase in October 1999. We are, however, continuing to develop collaboratively the Principal Anti-Air Missile System.
The continuing commitment of European nations to strengthen their military capabilities, and to develop the means for undertaking crisis management, was demonstrated in the conclusions of both the European Council and North Atlantic Council meetings of Defence and Foreign Ministers in December 1999.
The Government remain committed to facilitating European defence industrial restructuring. We have negotiated a Framework Agreement with European partner nations designed to remove unnecessary obstacles to defence restructuring and hope to sign this Agreement shortly.