Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Monday, 27 March 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 29 March 2006. It was answered by Ian Pearson (Labour) on Tuesday, 18 April 2006 on behalf of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

Democratic Republic of the Congo

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what plans the EU has to send further troops to the Democratic Republic of the Congo; and what discussions he has had with other EU Foreign Ministers on this issue.

Answer: On 23 March the European Council approved the concept of an EU military operation to support the UN Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during the electoral period in the DRC. The exact nature and structure of the EU force remains under discussion, although preliminary planning has begun.We have discussed this issue frequently with EU colleagues, including among Foreign Ministers at the 20 March General Affairs and External Relations Council. We welcome the EU decision as part of wider efforts to ensure a secure and stable environment for free and fair elections.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 445 c77W;445 c77W; 62515
Session: 2005-06
Subjects: Deployment Peacekeeping operations Democratic Republic of the Congo
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk