02:51Finland: UK Def Sec shrugs off parliament suspension outcry at EU meeting
UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace shrugged off a question about the decision to suspend the UK's parliament, as he arrived for the informal meeting of EU defence ministers in Helsinki on Thursday.
"It happens every year," said Wallace, although parliament has not in fact been suspended since May 2017 and the planned five week prorogation would be the longest since 1945.
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini addressed the pressing nature of climate change and its close ties with the world's security issues at a news conference.
"We have discussed with the ministers two issues related to climate change and defence. One is how to make sure that the militaries contribute to address climate change... and we also discussed the effect of climate change on conflicts or on crisis areas," said Mogherini.
The informal talks will conclude in Helsinki on Friday.
02:51UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace shrugged off a question about the decision to suspend the UK's parliament, as he arrived for the informal meeting of EU defence ministers in Helsinki on Thursday.
"It happens every year," said Wallace, although parliament has not in fact been suspended since May 2017 and the planned five week prorogation would be the longest since 1945.
EU foreign affairs chief Federica Mogherini addressed the pressing nature of climate change and its close ties with the world's security issues at a news conference.
"We have discussed with the ministers two issues related to climate change and defence. One is how to make sure that the militaries contribute to address climate change... and we also discussed the effect of climate change on conflicts or on crisis areas," said Mogherini.
The informal talks will conclude in Helsinki on Friday.