Covid-19: Security Risks Debate

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Department: Ministry of Defence

Covid-19: Security Risks

Lord Balfe Excerpts
Tuesday 19th May 2020

(4 years, 6 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Goldie Portrait Baroness Goldie
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I reassure the noble Lord that the United Kingdom Government have been a core component of NATO, working closely with the organisation. We support efforts against disinformation, and we deploy our defence experts into NATO to support this central effort and put our expertise at its disposal.

Lord Balfe Portrait Lord Balfe (Con)
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My Lords, the United States has not exactly distinguished itself by its international attitudes during this crisis, yet it is the leading player in NATO. I wonder if the Minister can tell us what part it has played in this response, and to what extent the Russians are using their tenuous position within the NATO structure to take part in NATO operations.

Baroness Goldie Portrait Baroness Goldie
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I am unable to comment specifically on the role of the United States; I am here to answer questions on behalf of the United Kingdom Government. I reassure your Lordships that the United Kingdom Government have been engaged closely with NATO. I refer to some of the tasks that we have undertaken, and we are currently reviewing additional requests for support from the EADRCC for Albania, North Macedonia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.