Foreign and Defence Policy Negotiations: Co-ordination

HL Deb 20 January 1997 vol 577 c40WA

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the same ministerial teams negotiate EU enlargement, NATO enlargement, and OSCE developments in London and in Brussels, Lisbon and elsewhere, and, if not, how co-ordination between them is ensured.

Baroness Chalker of Wallasey

My right honourable and learned friend the Foreign Secretary is responsible for policy on EU enlargement and OSCE negotiations. For policy on NATO enlargement, responsibility is shared between the Secretaries of State for Defence and Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs. Naturally, the Ministers always co-ordinate their positions thoroughly with each other and with other government Ministers, throughout negotiations on these issues.