HC Deb 24 January 2002 vol 378 cc994-6W
Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will list(a) those non-EU European NATO member countries and other EU applicant countries who have offered contributions for improving European military capability and (b) those countries whose offer has been (i) accepted and (ii) rejected; and if he will make a statement. [29636]

Mr. Hoon

The countries are:

  • Bulgaria
  • Republic of Cyprus
  • Czech Republic
  • Estonia
  • Hungary
  • Iceland
  • Latvia
  • Lithuania
  • Malta
  • Norway
  • Poland
  • Romania
  • Slovak Republic
  • Slovenia
  • Turkey.

The EU has welcomed all these contributions.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if he will make a statement on the progress made by the EU/NATO working groups on(a) the preparation of an EU/NATO security agreement, (b) the setting of capability goals, (c) the preparation of an agreement on the modalities for EU access to NATO assets and capabilities and (d) the definition of permanent arrangements for future EU/NATO consultations in times of crisis and non-crisis; and if he will make a statement. [29635]

Mr. Hoon

Work between the EU and NATO continues in all the areas mentioned. An interim security agreement is in place. Discussions continue on details of a permanent arrangement. NATO experts have been closely involved with EU colleagues in work to elaborate and identify the capabilities required for the Headline Goal. The EU' s capability action plan will be implemented in close co-operation with relevant NATO initiatives. We have made good progress towards agreement on EU access to NATO assets and capabilities, although arrangements are not yet finalised. Permanent consultation arrangements between NATO and the EU were defined at Nice and have been implemented satisfactorily. Consultation and transparency between the two organisations have been very good.

Mr. Jenkin

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what plans he has to take an initiative within the European Union to improve the arrangements for the participation of non-EU allied countries in the ESDP in order to create an associate status for the countries concerned; and if he will make a statement. [29632]

Mr. Hoon

The EU is committed to the fullest possible involvement of both the non-EU European allies and the EU accession partners in the European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).

The Nice European Council agreed a substantial set of provisions governing consultation with these countries and arrangements for their participation in EU-led operations. These arrangements already provide for a high level of participation by our non-EU European allies in ESDP.