§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what discussions he has had with his Belgian counterpart concerning Belgium's decision to double its military commitment to Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [175710]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienWe warmly welcome the announcement by the Belgian Prime Minister on 20 May that Belgium will double the size of its troop contingent in Afghanistan to around 600. My right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary has not had the opportunity to discuss this with the Belgian Foreign Minister in the short time since the announcement was made.
§ Angus RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent discussions he has had with his EU counterparts on the number of EU troops stationed in Afghanistan; and if he will make a statement. [175755]
§ Mr. Mike O'BrienMy right hon. Friend the Foreign Secretary attended the Berlin Conference on Afghanistan in March and the meeting of G8 Foreign Ministers in Washington on 14 May. Military support in Afghanistan was discussed at both these meetings, which were attended by a number of EU Foreign Ministers. Most recently, on 20 May the Foreign Secretary discussed the need to support the NATO mission in Afghanistan with the Spanish Foreign Minister. EU member states provide around three-quarters of the troops in the International Security Assistance Force and this is likely to increase later this year. In addition, the UK and Germany lead Provincial Reconstruction Teams in northern Afghanistan, to which EU partners and other nations contribute personnel. EU Member States also contribute forces individually to combat missions in Afghanistan under Operation Enduring Freedom.