Written question asked by Bernard Jenkin (Conservative) on Wednesday, 27 November 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 2 December 2002. It was answered by Geoffrey Hoon (Labour) on Monday, 2 December 2002 on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.

Ministry of Defence

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if it is the policy of the Government that EU-NATO relations should be established so that all force planning and military command functions should be through NATO military headquarters at SHAPE.

Answer: Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence if it is the policy of the Government that EU-NATO relations should be established so that all force planning and military command functions should be through NATO military headquarters at SHAPE. [84878] Mr. Hoon: The Nice European Council in December 2000 decided that, for EU-led operations that make use of NATO assets and capabilities, operational planning will be carried out by NATO's planning bodies. For these operations, the Deputy SACEUR and SHAPE have been identified as the primary candidates for Operation Commander and Operation Headquarters. These arrangements are subject to finalising agreement on modalities for EU-NATO co-operation. For EU-led operations without recourse to NATO assets and capabilities, planning and command requirements would draw on existing national and multinational headquarters available to the EU.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 84878; 395 c477W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: Deployment EU common foreign and security policy NATO EU external relations EU defence policy
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk