HL Deb 13 February 1997 vol 578 c27WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What reasons remain for expanding NATO in the light of the successful development of Partnership for Peace which had not been envisaged when NATO expansion was first studied and in the light of general problems arising from the proposed expansion.

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Baroness Chalker of Wallasey)

Partnership for Peace and enlargement to the east have always been considered parallel processes. The NATO summit of 10th/11th January 1994, at which Partnership for Peace was launched, made clear that NATO expected and would welcome enlargement to democratic states to the east.