HC Deb 06 May 2003 vol 404 cc563-4W
Mr. Rosindell

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with the US Administration regarding the future development of NATO. [110712]

Mr. Mike O'Brien

My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has regular discussions on the future development of NATO with the US and with other NATO Allies.

At the Prague Summit in November 2002, NATO Heads of State and Government took decisions to transform the Alliance to meet the new threats and security challenges of the 21st Century. To do this, NATO must develop new military capabilities to meet these new threats, streamline NATO command structures and have flexible Allied forces able to move quickly to wherever they are needed.

NATO decided on 16 April 2003 to offer increased support to the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. NATO already plays a significant planning role in support of the existing ISAF force. This substantially enhanced support is a logical continuation of this process and evidence of NATO's continued adaptation to the evolving security agenda.

Foreign Ministers will be meeting in Madrid on 3–4 June for the NATO Spring Ministerials. This will be an important opportunity to review progress since Prague.