§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the consequence for the excluded European countries of US and British decisions to support a limited enlargement of NATO. [7259]
§ Mr. Tony LloydDecisions on the membership of NATO are taken collectively by The Alliance. NATO's door will remain open to the applicant countries not invited to begin accession negotiations in Madrid. We are482W determined that NATO enlargement will not mean a reduction in security for others or the creation of new dividing lines in Europe.
NATO's 27 Partner countries will also benefit from the new opportunities for cooperation provided by the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and the enhanced Partnership for Peace Programme. These encourage Partner countries to draw closer to the Alliance.