§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) on what date NATO was given right of first refusal over the European Security and Defence Policy mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; [119854]
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Name Date Location Major Ward 21 March Kuwaiti side of the Kuwait/Iraq border Captain Guy Major Ward Colour Sergeant Cecil Marine Hedenskog OM(C)2 Seymour Sergeant Hehir Lance Bombadier Evans Warrant Officer 2 Stratford (2) what discussions have taken place between (a) the UK Government and (b) the EU with the US Administration concerning the proposed ESDP deployment to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. [119855]
§ Mr. IngramThe United Kingdom Government have on-going discussions on the situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including the ESDP deployment, with the US Administration. Under the European Security and Defence Policy the EU undertakes operations where NATO as a whole is not engaged. The EU Secretary General/High Representative, Mr Solana, briefed NATO Foreign Ministers, including US representatives, on EU discussions about the operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo on 3 June. NATO Foreign Ministers welcomed this transparency. There was no suggestion that NATO would become engaged. NATO and the EU are autonomous organisations. As such, they take decisions independently of each other, albeit in close consultation.