European Security and Defence Policy (Hansard, 20 May 2002)

§ Mr. Jenkin
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when the European Security and Defence Policy procedures testing top level co-ordination and the decision-making procedures of the ESDP bodies will be exercised. [57793]

§ Mr. Hoon
The EU's first Crisis Management Exercise, under ESDP "CME 02", will run from 22 to 28 May 2002, and is designed to test the EU's structures and decision-making procedures for crisis management. CME 02 is a paper exercise only, involving no forces, and uses a generic scenario. CME 02 should provide valuable lessons for the continuing development of the EU's operational capability.
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§ Mr. Jenkin
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role the NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe plays within the European Security and Defence Policy. [57792]

§ Mr. Hoon
In view of his responsibilities for the European Pillar of NATO, DISACEUR may be invited to meetings of the EU Military Committee, and has been identified as a primary candidate for "operation commander" of EU-led operations. He would also co-ordinate responses to EU requests to NATO for planning support. All these arrangements are subject to finalising agreement on modalities for EU-NATO co-operation.