§ Mr. Deakinsasked the Secretary of State for Defence if he will define the respective roles of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation Eurogroup and Western European Union in promoting European co-operation in defence.
§ Mr. StanleyThe Western European Union and the Eurogroup have complementary roles to play in promoting European defence co-operation within the overall 547W framework of the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. The Eurogroup provides a forum for discussions between Defence Ministers and for practical defence co-operation between European members of the Alliance. The reactivated Western European Union affords foreign and Defence Ministers of member countries valuable opportunities for joint political debate on and further impetus towards improved European security co-operation.