§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what response he has made to(a) OSCE (Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe) requirements for rapid expert assistance and co-operation teams and (b) EU requirements for a rapid reaction mechanism for civil crisis management. [26668]
§ Peter HainI have been asked to reply.
HMG strongly support the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe and its missions, and has responded promptly and substantially to the Rapid Expert Assistance and Co-operation Teams (REACT) programme rolled out in April 2001.
The Government support the EU's Rapid Reaction Mechanism which allows for rapid intervention from the European community's budget in situations of emerging or actual crisis.