§ Lord Juddasked Her Majesty's Government:
What are the future operational and policy implications of the commitment to NATO, Western European Union and the United Nations as emphasised in the Strategic Defence Review; and what is their policy towards the relationship between NATO and the United Nations. [HL2882]
§ Lord GilbertThe Strategic Defence Review reaffirmed that NATO is the foundation of the security of Europe and of the United Kingdom, and will continue as the cornerstone of our defence planning. The Western European Union has an important role in fostering defence co-operation amongst its members, in particular in conflict prevention and peacekeeping. The United Nations remains of central importance to the planning of peace support and humanitarian deployments. The reshaping of forces set out in the Strategic Defence Review will enhance the effectiveness of the United Kingdom's operational contribution to each of these international organisations. NATO is ready to support, on a case by case basis, United Nations peacekeeping and other operations, under the authority of the UN Security Council.