PMQs: Nick Clegg beckons new era of European security cooperation

Nick Clegg urges Prime Minister to take opportunity to lead cooperation on European security to ease burden on British troops

On Wednesday, Nick Clegg took part in his first Prime Minister's Questions since the birth of his new son Miguel. It was a solemn session as the house was united by its condemnation of the recent killings in Northern Ireland.

Nick raised the issue of European cooperation on security and defence. Referring to Presidenty Sarkozy's decision to end decades of Gaullist isolation and make France a full member of NATO, Nick Clegg highlighted the opportunity facing Britain, and other European states, to lead progress on European security cooperation. He explained, with France a full NATO partner, many of the transatlantic tensions that had been obstacles to further cooperation were no longer relevant.

In his supplement question he told the Prime Minister of the benefits such cooperation would bring to the British armed forces. He said, Britain would be in a stronger position to get commitments from France to providing assistance in Afghanistan, and therefore help to ease the huge burden upon British troops.

Read the full exchange below

Mr. Nick Clegg (Sheffield, Hallam) (LD): Following the brutal murders of Sappers Quinsey and Azimkar and Constable Carroll, and the serious injuries suffered by four others, may I say on behalf of all Liberal Democrat Members that our hearts go out to the families of the victims, though they harden against their murderers?

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Their violence must not and will not divide the people of Northern Ireland; instead, it will strengthen their resolve to live their lives in peace. That is the unwavering message of the dignified demonstrations taking place in Northern Ireland today.

May I also extend my personal welcome to the leader of the Conservative party on his return to Parliament, and say on behalf of all on these Benches that we sincerely hope that he and his family will be given the time and the space to cope with the terrible loss they have suffered?

I am sure the Prime Minister will agree that today's announcement from President Sarkozy that he will reverse General de Gaulle's legacy and rejoin NATO is hugely significant, but does he also agree that it offers an enormous opportunity for Britain, along with France, to lead European defence co-operation, which has been held back by tensions surrounding the Atlantic alliance?

The Prime Minister: I do welcome France's announcement that at the NATO summit on 3 and 4 April, with the President of America and other people present, it will announce its return to the inner core of NATO. I believe that that is good for the defence of the world. I also believe that there are opportunities for co-operation not just between France and Britain, but between the countries of the rest of the world, in relation to nuclear disarmament.

We are at a critical point in the nuclear proliferation discussions, and we are at a particularly difficult point in relation to Iran. We have made it clear to Iran that it cannot join the international community unless it renounces nuclear weapons. However, I believe that a wider deal on nuclear arms is possible in the next few years, and I think the right hon. Gentleman will see that France, America and other members of NATO are keen to see that happen.

Mr. Clegg: I welcome the Prime Minister's response, but my main concern is that he may still miss the full opportunity available to him. If he could commit Britain to working fully with France and others on European defence-which, frankly, we have not done before now-he would be in a stronger position to ask them to commit more money and troops to Afghanistan. Does he recognise that there is a good bargain to be had, which would be of enormous help to our overstretched service men and women for many years to come.

The Prime Minister: European defence co-operation is important. I think the hon. Gentleman will know that it exists in many areas, and particularly between Britain and France. I have talked directly to President Sarkozy about what more we can do together in Afghanistan and other places. We must also remember that we are talking about the British armed forces: the British Army, the British Navy and the British Air Force. We will defend our right to make our own decisions as well.