HC Deb 29 October 2001 vol 373 c512W
30. Sir Sydney Chapman

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement about progress in implementing the European security and defence policy. [8381]

Mr. Hoon

A Capabilities Improvement Conference in November will review progress already made towards the capability target known as the Headline Goal, as well as future plans. It will then address further actions needed. The analysis underpinning this review has been done in full co-operation with NATO. The conference will also review the additional contributions offered by the non-EU European allies and other countries who are candidates for EU accession.

The EU' s political and military bodies in the field of European Security and Defence Policy have been made permanent and have been active in preparing for the implementation of arrangements on such matters as crisis management procedures, security, exercise policy and co-operation with NATO. Work will continue on these issues. The Secretary General High Representative, Javier Solana, and the NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson, have been in close consultation, and there have been a number of meetings between alliance and European Union political and military bodies.

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