EU Common Defence and Security Policy

HC Deb 24 January 2000 vol 343 c37W

Mr. Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment he has made of the effect of European Union enlargement on the Common European Defence and Security Policy. [104537]

Mr. Vaz

The development of the CEDSP of the EU continues following the conclusions of the Helsinki European Council. The arrangements put in place need to reflect, before enlargement, the EU's relations with the aspirant countries and equally to enable the policy to function in an enlarged community. For their part, new members will be expected to accept the defence acquis of the Union when they join.