§ 33. Mr. ClaphamTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what progress has been made to encourage NATO to share information with the European defence initiative. [15108]
§ Mr. HoonThe EU and NATO have been working closely together on the development of the European Security and Defence Policy. NATO has assisted in the analysis of capability requirements and has been involved in the assessment of national offers towards the pool of forces.
The EU's Political and Security Committee (PSC) and NATO's North Atlantic Council (NAC), as well as the EU's and NATO's respective Military Committees, meet on a regular basis and at least once per Presidency. Further meetings may be requested.
NATO has agreed in principle to allow the EU access to its assets and capabilities and we are discussing the details of the arrangements. An EU-NATO security agreement is also being established to allow the exchange of classified information between NATO and the EU.