Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Monday, 8 September 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 September 2008. It was answered by Lord Browne of Ladyton (Labour) on Monday, 15 September 2008 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

NATO

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what the agenda is for the NATO defence ministers' meeting in London on 18 September 2008; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Following on from discussions at the Bucharest summit, the NATO Secretary-General called for a special meeting of NATO defence ministers to focus on the political challenges of NATO reform and to give ministerial direction and leadership to the transformation agenda. As a firm believer in the need for a fresh look at our international institutions, I offered to host the meeting which will be held at Lancaster House on 18 and 19 of September 2008. The Secretary-General has not issued any formal agenda, but has broadly outlined the issues facing the alliance—planning and delivering key capabilities; efficient use of human, financial and technical resources; and joint and proportionate burden-sharing. It is likely we will discuss also recent events in Georgia.

Secondary information