European Common Foreign and Security Policy

HC Deb 28 November 2002 vol 395 c404W

Mr. Wiggin

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make a statement on his policy on the development of a European common foreign and security policy. [83880]

Mr. MacShane

The United Kingdom is committed to a strong EU Common Foreign and Security Policy in order to achieve the objectives set out in Article 11 of the Treaty on European Union, that is to safeguard the common values, fundamental interests, independence and integrity of the Union, to strengthen the security of the Union, to preserve peace and strengthen international security, to promote international cooperation and to develop and consolidate democracy and the rule of law, and respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms.