HL Deb 11 February 1999 vol 597 c37WA
Lord Hardy of Wath

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether future NATO-led missions, including those which are out of area, are likely to include personnel from other European Union states which are not members of the Alliance; and whether such states have accepted that command and control of such missions will be exercised by NATO. [HL874]

Baroness Symons of Vernham Dean

Future NATO-led operations may involve forces from partner countries, as they have in Bosnia, by agreement between NATO and the partner concerned. Command and control of any NATO-led operation rests with the NATO military authorities under the political/strategic guidance of the North Atlantic Council. NATO is developing a new framework for NATO-led operations so that partners can be involved in consultation and planning.