Defence written question – answered at on 12 October 2011.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role Permanent Structural Cooperation will have in the creation of an EU Permanent Operational Headquarters.
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what role Permanent Structured Cooperation will have in the creation of an EU Permanent Operational Headquarters; and whether the UK will have a veto.
NATO remains the cornerstone of UK defence. We see no justification for a permanent EU military Operational Headquarters (OHQ) and would oppose it, whether there is an attempt to create it by Permanent Structural Cooperation (PESCO) or other means. We have been clear that establishment of a permanent OHQ would be a duplication of existing capability provided by NATO, would permanently disassociate the EU from NATO and would be an unnecessary use of resources.
Under the Lisbon treaty, signed by the previous Government, PESCO could be established by qualified majority voting in the European Council following notification from member states wishing to participate in it. However, all decisions made within PESCO are made by unanimity. Therefore, individual member states do not have the ability to veto the establishment of PESCO, but those who participate would have the right to veto any decisions made within it. Regardless of whether PESCO were to be established, the UK retains the ability to veto the launch of any EU operation.
Yes0 people think so
No0 people think not
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