§ Mr. MaudeTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on the progress made by the EU in setting up consultation and co-operation links between the EU and(a) NATO's non-EU members, (b) other countries which are candidates for accession to the EU and (c) other prospective partners in EU-led crisis management. [149796]
§ Mr. VazThe Nice European Council agreed arrangements to enable non-EU European Allies and other accession candidates to be involved in all phases of EU military crisis management. There will be regular consultation and dialogue at ministerial, Military Committee and official level, building on the interim agreements reached in June 2000. These arrangements are being implemented under the Swedish presidency. Nice also agreed initial proposals for the involvement of Canada, Ukraine, Russia and other potential partners. The elaboration of these arrangements is also being taken forward under the Swedish presidency.