Common Foreign and Security Policy

HC Deb 16 November 1998 vol 319 c371W

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Prime Minister (1) if he will make a statement on UK policy presentation at Poertschach on the Fourth Pillar; [59787]

(2) if the Government supported integration of the Western European Union into the European Union (a) during the course of the Amsterdam Treaty negotiations and (b) at Poertschach; and if he will make a statement. [59788]

The Prime Minister

At the Amsterdam European Council in June 1997, EU member states agreed that the Union should foster closer institutional relations with the WEU with a view to the possibility of the integration of the WEU into the Union, if member States agreed unanimously.

The meeting of Heads at Poertschach was an informal meeting in preparation for the full European Council in Vienna, at which a broad range of issues were discussed. No formal decisions were taken.

At the meeting 1 stressed the need for a stronger European Union Common Foreign and Security Policy underpinned by more defence capabilities. I did not advocate a particular institutional model.