§ Mr. CoxTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what recent discussions he has had with the President of the Western European Union; and what issues were discussed. [119589]
§ Mr. HoonThe "Presidency" of the Western European Union is currently held by Portugal, who also currently hold the Presidency of the European Union. I have met my Portuguese counterpart in his EU capacity where we discussed future arrangements for European Defence—but we have not met in his WEU capacity.
The senior appointment in the WEU, that of the Secretary General, is held by Javier Solana, who is also currently the High Representative for the EU's Common Foreign and Security Policy. I have met with Snr. Solana in his EU capacity where we discussed future arrangements for European Defence—but have not met him in his purely WEU capacity.
I have not yet met the President of the Western European Union Assembly, Klaus Bühler.