HL Deb 06 July 1994 vol 556 c79WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What is the meaning of "associate partnership" of Western European Union which has now been made available to a number of east European countries, and whether this status is soon to be extended to Russia and other members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

The May Western European Union (WEU) ministerial meeting launched a new status of Associate Partnership for the six central European countries and three Baltic States. Previously these countries were members of the WEU Forum of Consultation. The new Associate Partners will be able to participate in some WEU meetings giving them the opportunity to participate in collective discussions on European security and defence policy issues. The new status does not involve a security guarantee and is intended to complement NATO's Partnership for Peace. There are no plans to extend this new status to Russia or other members of the Commonwealth of Independent States.