Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Lord Hannay of Chiswick (Crossbench). It was answered on Monday, 20 October 2008.

EU: Security Strategy

Question: My Lords, does the Minister recognise that one of the great merits of the 2003 strategy was that it identified enlargement of the European Union as an absolutely key part of its future security? That was, of course, before the countries in central, eastern and southern Europe joined. Does he agree that it is now very important that the review that is under way emphasises that further enlargement continues to be an integral part of Europe’s security and needs to be given full prominence in the reviewed policy?

Answer: My Lords, the noble Lord makes a very important point. This document is peppered with wisdom on a number of issues and has held up well in the light of subsequent years. Certainly, this Government’s commitment to enlargement remains known.

Secondary information