§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role NATO's Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe will play in cases where an EU-led crisis operation does not use NATO assets.[77816]
§ Mr. HoonEU-led operations without recourse to NATO assets and capabilities, planning and command requirements would draw on existing national and multinational headquarters available to the EU. The Operation Headquarters would be based on an existing national headquarters, such as the permanent joint headquarters at Northwood, augmented by officers from participating nations. NATO's Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe will be kept informed of the general progress of the operation. He would also coordinate responses to EU requests to NATO for planning support. These arrangements are subject to finalising agreement on modalities for EU-NATO co-operation.