§ Mr. Duncan SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) if he will make a statement on the concept of a European Security and Defence Identity; [143065]
(2) if he will make a statement on progress in setting modalities to enable EU access to NATO assets and capabilities within the framework of the Berlin plus agreements; [143059]
(3) which elements of (a) the WEU/NATO framework on the release monitoring and return or recall of NATO assets and capabilities and (b) the NATO/WEU consultation arrangements will (i) be replaced by relevant EU/NATO arrangements and (ii) remain unchanged; [143063]
(4) if he will make a statement on the (a) competencies and (b) working relationships of the EU Council of Defence Ministers; [143055]
(5) what steps have been taken to ensure that, within the new ESDP structures, the rights of the non-EU European NATO members and other accession candidates will be in line with their status in WEU as associate members and associate partners; [143039]
(6) what role Deputy SACEUR will play within the EU Military Committee; [143066]
(7) what recent representations he has received from his Turkish counterpart regarding Turkey's prospective involvement in ESDP; and if he will make a statement; [143040]
(8) if the EU has agreed on the implementation of the WEU exercise programme for the period 2001 to 2005; [143064]
(9) how many uniformed staff will be allocated full-time to duties connected with the European Rapid Reaction Force; [143038]
(10) if he will make a statement on the progress made in establishing the (a) permanent political and security committee, (b) permanent military committee and (c) permanent military staff, as envisaged by the Helsinki Summit conclusions; [143054]
(11) what steps have been taken to ensure that the transfer of the WEU Satellite Centre to the European Union will not affect (a) WEU associate member countries' involvement in the Centre's activities and (b) the Satellite Centre's availability to the WEU. [143062]
349W
§ Mr. Spellar[holding answer 15 December 2000]: The development within NATO of the European Security and Defence Identity (ESDI), based on decisions taken by the Alliance at successive Summit meetings held in London in 1990, Brussels 1994 and Madrid in 1997, has been an integral part of the adaption of the Alliance's political and military structures, enabling the European Allies to assume greater responsibility for the common security and defence as a manifestation of transatlantic solidarity. These developments have been followed with a view to providing a genuine European military capability without duplicating the military assets and capabilities already available within NATO. The ESDI within NATO has been an important element of the development of the WEU, and has been built upon to support developments in the EU, as envisaged in the Treaties of Maastricht 1992, and Amsterdam in 1997.
At the Washington Summit in April 1999, NATO supported the EU's aspirations and announced that it stood ready to develop arrangements to provide the EU with ready access to NATO resources. In particular, NATO has agreed to develop arrangements for the EU to have assured access to NATO's planning capacities, and a presumption of availability of its common assets and capabilities, for the use in EU-led operations.
At the NATO North Atlantic Council meeting of Defence Ministers on 5 December, it was re-affirmed that NATO
intend to put into place arrangements for: assured access to NATO planning capabilities able to contribute to military planning for EU-led operations; the presumption of availability to the EU of pre-identified NATO capabilities and common assets for use in EU-led operations; the identification of a range of European command options for EU-led operations, further developing the role of DSACEUR in order for him to assume fully and effectively his European responsibilities; and the further adaption of the Alliance's defence planning system, taking account of the relevant activities in and proposals from the European Union.The detailed modalities for the availability to the EU of NATO assets and capabilities have yet to be determined. However, they will build on the previous agreements between NATO and the WEU.
The EU, at Nice, put forward proposals on the permanent EU/NATO relationship, again building on the NATO/WEU consultation arrangements. Nice also agreed that DSACEUR will be invited to attend meetings of the EU Military Committee, as necessary, in view of his responsibilities for the European Pillar of NATO, and his potential role in EU-led operations.
Interim structures for the Common Foreign and Security Policy were initiated at Helsinki (a Political and Security Committee, an EU Military Committee, and an EU Military Staff) and were established during the Portuguese Presidency. They will achieve their permanent status as soon as possible during 2001.
The allocation of posts in the small permanent European Union Military Staff is still to be determined.
Noting that there is no standing entity of a European Rapid Reaction Force, none of the forces earmarked by the UK, at the Capability Commitments Conference, for potential EU-led operations will be allocated to full-time duties with the European Union.
350WWithin the European Union, there is no EU Council of Defence Ministers. Defence Ministers of the EU have however, on occasion, met on an informal basis, and they have joined their Foreign Minister colleagues in the General Affairs Council.
The Secretary of State has regular discussions with his EU and NATO counterparts. To this end, he has had discussions with his Turkish Counterpart, and met him most recently, at the NATO Ministerials in Brussels on 4–6 December 2000.
The Nice European Council agreed on a substantial set of provisions to enable non-EU European Allies (including Turkey) and other EU accession candidates to have close and continuous involvement in the evolution of the EU's Common Security and Defence Policy and to participate in EU-led operations. These arrangements do not affect their status as associate members or associate partners in the WEU. They create a new set of relationships building on arrangements in the WEU.
At the WEU Council in Marseille in November 2000, Ministers acknowledged the work of the WEU Military Staff and noted that it is preparing to cease its activities. The final exercise of the WEU programme will be the Joint Exercise Study 2001 to be held with NATO between 11 and 15 June 2001. Sweden has identified the development of an EU exercise policy as one of its objectives for its incoming EU Presidency.
Decisions were taken at the WEU Ministerial Council in Marseille in November, and later at the Nice European Council, to transfer the WEU Satellite Centre to the EU, as a Second Pillar agency, with effect from 1 January 2002. The detailed arrangements for the transfer have yet to be established, these will be examined by the forthcoming Dutch WEU Presidency and Swedish EU Presidency. The continued involvement of WEU associate members has been established as an important principle in this process. The residual WEU will not have any requirements of the Satellite Centre beyond 2001.