To ask the Secretary of State for Defence when he expects the agreement between the International Security Assistance Force and the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan to be finalised; and what his assessment is of the effect of not having an agreement on on-going military and civilian operations in Afghanistan. (251648)

I have been asked to reply.

While there is no specific agreement between the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) and the European Union Police Mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL), ISAF has procedures in place to provide support to other international organisations including EUPOL if needed.

EUPOL and ISAF continue to co-ordinate closely in theatre. Furthermore, there is much work involved in arranging technical arrangements between the two organisations, especially given that many ISAF members are contributing to EUPOL.

Nevertheless, the UK continues to emphasise to EU member states and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) allies the importance of improved EU-NATO co-ordination.