§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether NATO members are always consulted by the US before the latter embarks on "Partnership for Peace" projects, and whether they were so consulted before last year's US examination of Romanian airfields, which was carried out, according to the Romanians, under the auspices of Partnership for Peace.
Earl HoweNATO decisions on Partnership for Peace (PfP) projects are taken collectively by all NATO members. Many NATO members also undertake bilateral co-operative activities with Partner nations which are not recognised as PfP projects but which are regarded by the participants as being in the spirit of PfP. There are procedures within the Alliance for Allies to share information on bilateral activities, but it is not obligatory and I am not aware of any such discussion in this case.
§ Lord Kennetasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether the US "Regional Airspace Initiative", which is intended to develop the sharing of both civil and military flight plan and radar tracking data in Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Albania and Slovenia under a NATO inter-operable command control and communications architecture, has been discussed with other NATO members, including those who are also members of the European Union.
Earl HoweThe US has discussed its Regional Airspace Initiative for airspace management modernisation with its NATO Allies, and has kept all Allies informed on its progress.