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Ministry of Defence

Answer

Vernon Coaker: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence whether he attended the EU Capabilities Improvement Conference in Brussels on 19 November; and if he will make a statement. [17398] Mr. Hoon: My right hon. Friend the Minister for the Armed Forces and I attended the Capabilities Improvement Conference along with colleagues from other EU nations. Good progress has been made towards the Headline Goal target for a European pool of forces. Offers were made by EU member states at last year's Capability Commitments Conference for 94 of the 144 identified capability areas underpinning the Headline Goal. The new offers made on Monday enhance our capabilities in a number of these areas and provide solutions for a further 10. We also agreed an Action Plan to address the remaining shortfalls: there are already identified initiatives addressing 20 of the 21 most significant capability areas. This process also reinforces NATO's Defence Capabilities Initiative. EU nations have offered substantial contributions, as set out in the Compendium of national Contributions prepared by the EU Presidency. In addition to the UK commitments made at last year's conference, I have identified further capabilities targeted specifically at the remaining shortfall areas. Some will be available before 2003 for the Headline Goal target; others later. I will place a copy of the Compendium in the Library of the House.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

375 c294-5W;375 c300-1W; 17398

Session

2001-02

Subjects

EU countries EU defence policy EU Capabilities Improvement Conference

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk