§ Mr. CashTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence if soldiers assigned to the EU defence capability may be used in operations outside Europe. [138724]
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 16 November 2000]: Troops on EU-led operations could be deployed outside Europe. The European Union has resolved to establish the capability, where NATO as a whole is not engaged, to launch and conduct military operations in response to international crises. The United Kingdom is committed to support the development of this capability, and will offer British forces to such operations in the light of circumstances at the time, which may involve deployment outside Europe.