Action Plan 2004-2005

Section I: Short-Term Planning

Organisation of EAPC work

1. The EAPC Action Plan covers a two-year period. The Action Plan 2002-2004 was developed in 2001, and updated last Autumn, 2002. It needs to be reviewed to develop the EAPC Action Plan for the next two-year period.
2. According to the EAPC Basic Document, specific subject areas on which Allies and Partners would consult in the framework of the EAPC, may "include but not be limited to: political and security related matters; crisis management; regional matters; arms control issues; nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) proliferation and defence issues; international terrorism; defence planning and budgets and defence policy and strategy; security impacts of economic developments. There will also be scope for consultations and cooperation on issues such as: civil emergency and disaster preparedness; armaments cooperation under the aegis of the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD); nuclear safety; defence related environmental issues; civil-military coordination of air traffic management and control; scientific cooperation; and issues related to peace support operations."
3. As a working method, open-ended groups of EAPC members may prepare, on an ad-hoc basis, discussion papers on specific issues or regional security cooperation matters to stimulate focused and result-oriented discussions in the plenary session of the EAPC. The EAPC plenary would pass on ideas and suggestions for practical cooperation developed in this framework to relevant committees for any appropriate follow-up.
4. A major part of the work in 2004 will be devoted to the further implementation of the Comprehensive Review of the EAPC and PfP submitted at the Prague Summit. This includes the development of the new Partnership mechanisms such as the Partnership Action Plan, whose first application is the Partnership Action Plan Against Terrorism, and the Individual Partnership Action Plans. In parallel, efforts will continue to adapt other aspects of the EAPC and PfP processes to ensure the most efficient, coherent and coordinated support for a new, more substantive relationship between NATO and its Partners. This may include the issue of harmonisation of the EAPC Action Plan and the Partnership Work Program. A separate Report on the Implementation of the Comprehensive Review provide information on the status of work. At the same time,continued efforts will be devoted to the development and implementation of the Partnership-related initiatives launched at the Washington Summit; namely the Enhanced and more Operational Partnership, including the Political-Military Framework for NATO-led PfP Operations (PMF), the Expanded and Adapted Planning and Review Process (PARP), the Operational Capabilities Concept for NATO-led PfP Operations (OCC) and the PfP Training and Education Enhancement Programme (T&EEP).
5. Some EAPC activities have been opened to Mediterranean Dialogue countries on a case-by-case basis.
6. Implementation of specific activities included in this Action Plan will depend on the availability of necessary resources.

Section II : Long-Term Programme for Consultation and Cooperation

Political and Security-Related Issues

Topics

1. Regional matters, including South Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus
2. Enhancing practical cooperation, in the EAPC framework, with the Central AsianPartner countries
3. International fight against terrorism
4. Cooperation on Stability Pact issues (Working Table 3)
5. Cooperation with other international institutions on security issues as appropriate
6. The situation in the Western Balkans
7. The situation in Afghanistan
8. The situation in Iraq
9. Follow-up on the Political-Military Framework for NATO-led PfP Operations
10. Follow-up on the Comprehensive Review of the EAPC and PFP, including discussion on general progress and further development of the new Partnership mechanisms
11. Practical cooperation issues
12. Border security and management, including prevention of cross border trafficking
13. Trafficking in persons
14. Other topics to be defined

Activities

1. Seminars, workshops, open ended Ad Hoc Working Groups' meetings, expertmeetings, briefings and exchange of information on Bosnia Herzegovina and Kosovo

Events planned

1. Workshop on Border Management and Border Security: "EAPC/SEEGROUPWorkshop on Integrated Border Management" to be jointly organised by Switzerland, the UK and Albania, and to be held in Tirana on 21-23 January 2004.
2. Workshop on "Border Management Reform: Development of Common BorderSecurity Standards within the EAPC" to be hosted by Azerbaijan (November 2004).
3. Seminar on terrorism, organised crime and border security to be hosted by Slovakia (2005. Date TBD).
4. Up to three annual seminars/workshops on regional security cooperation.
5. Meetings of NATO Regional Experts with experts from Partner countries (dates t.b.d.)

Committee supportEAPC in Ambassadorial and Political Committee sessions, PMSC in EAPC/PfP format, Policy Coordination Group with EAPC Partners

Staff support

International Staff, Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, Euro-Atlantic Integration and Partnership Directorate, Defence Policy and Planning Division

Policy Planning

Topic

1. Mid- and long-term foreign and security policy issues

Activities

1. Meetings of NATO's Atlantic Policy Advisory Group (APAG) in EAPC format

Events planned

1. Annual meetings of APAG in EAPC format. Next one to be held in Tbilisi, Georgia, on 2-3 April 2004.

Committee support

1. EAPC in Political Committee session

Staff support

1. International Staff, Political Affairs and Security Policy Division.

Arms Control, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Issues

Topics

1. Arms control
2. Political and defence efforts against proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and missiles and their components as well as against dual use goods related to them
3. The Challenge of small arms and light weapons
4. Global Humanitarian Mine Action
5. Border control

Activities

1. Consultations and expert meetings, open ended Ad Hoc Working Groups' meetings

Events planned

Some event(s) may be open to countries of the Mediterranean Dialogue, determined on a case-by-case basis.

1. Briefing on current issues and prospects of Humanitarian Demining held by theDirector of the Geneva International Centre for Humanitarian Demining,Ambassador Dahinden, at an EAPC Ambassadorial meeting (March 2004 TBC).

Committee support

EAPC in Political Committee session, PMSC in EAPC/PfP format, EAPC Ad Hoc Working Group on Small Arms and Light Weapons

Staff Support

International Staff, Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, Defence Policy andPlanning Division, Operations Division

Implementation of Arms Control Agreements

Topic

1. Conventional arms control, implementation and verification

Activities

1. Consultations, expert meetings, seminars, workshops
2. Training and courses on support of arms control implementation

Events planned

1. Courses on general arms control orientation at NATO School, Oberammergau
2. Continuation and adaptation of programme of Joint Multilateral Inspection Teams for CFE Cooperation Partners
3. Continuation of operation and development of the VERITY database
4. Annual Workshop with all CFE States Parties to load CFE information exchange data into the VERITY Database
5. Annual Workshop with all CFE States Parties to review the Notified Current Force Structure in the VERITY Database
6. Course on the exchange of experience between inspector/escorts in the field of arms control (in 2004)
7. Courses on the verification/implementation of arms control treaties and agreements for inspectors/escorts

Committee Support

Verification and Coordination Committee

Staff support

International Staff, Operations Division

International Fight Against Terrorism

Topics

1. Identifying terrorism threats and responses to acts of terrorism
2. Developing EAPC's role in the international fight against terrorism, notably by settingup an implementation mechanism for the Partnership Action Plan Against Terrorism
3. Sustaining high-level political commitment, following on EAPC Declaration of 12September
4. Tangible support, as appropriate, to Central Asia and the Caucasus partner countries
5. Cooperation in civil emergency planning (CEP)
6. Pursue approaches for combating terrorism through non-classified civil science and the activities of the Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society (CCMS)
7. Other practical cooperation including PfP activities
8. Workshop to explore implications of PAP-T, in particular with a regional focus.
9. Exploring, inter-alia, the possibility of a mentoring or lead-nation approach toimplementation of the PAP-T.

Activities

1. Have terrorism figure prominently on agendas for EAPC Ambassadorial meetingsand other committees meeting in EAPC format
2. Progress reports on the work under the Partnership Action Plan against Terrorismprepared for EAPC Ministerials as appropriate
3. Continue to explore the use of the Trust Fund mechanism in order to facilitate greater participation of Central Asian and Caucasus partner countries in relevant EAPC/PfP activities
4. Partners' participation in implementing, as appropriate, CEP Action Plan for theimprovement of civil preparedness against possible attacks against the civilianpopulation with chemical, biological and radiological agents
5. Partners participation to the WMD's inventory of national capabilities which Allies and Partners might be willing to make available on a voluntary basis to assist a country stricken by a CBR terrorist attack
6. As appropriate, explore modalities for cooperation in non-article 5 activities related to the WMD Centre
7. Round Table on "Prevention and Mitigation of Societal Disruption" (CCMS)
8. Workshops and scientific collaboration on the defence against terrorism (e.g.,detection, sensors, NBC protection, decontamination, medical countermeasures,etc.) (Science Programme)
9. Seminars/workshops on EAPC's role in the fight against terrorism

Events planned

1. Meeting of the Special Committee in the EAPC format (2004)
2. Follow-up to the Geneva Workshop on Combating the Financing of Terrorism ofNovember 2003.
3. Follow up to the Zurich Workshop on Cyber Security and Contingency Planning of September 2003.
4. Workshop on Protection of Infrastructures of Critical Importance: Prevention andDefence against Risks and Threats of Terrorism to be hosted by Azerbaijan (April 2004).

Committee support

Special Committee in the EAPC format; EAPC in the Political Committee format, PMSC in the EAPC/PfP format, Senior Civil Emergency Planning Committee in EAPC format, the Defence Group on Proliferation, Senior Political-Military Group on Proliferation, and other relevant committees in EAPC/PfP format

Staff support

International Staff: NATO Office of Security; Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, Defence Policy and Planning Division, Operations Division

Peacekeeping

Topics

Common understanding of concepts and principles related to peacekeeping,including:

• humanitarian aspects of peacekeeping and civil-military relations
• lessons learned from peacekeeping
• early warning and conflict prevention
• conflict resolution
• public security aspects of PSOs
• post conflict management
• cultural property protection in PSOs

Activities

1. Expanded contacts and dialogue with the United Nations and OSCE on conceptual approaches to peacekeeping
2. Ad Hoc meetings of specialists on International Humanitarian Law

Committee support

EAPC in the Political Committee format

Staff support

International Staff, Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, Defence Policy andPlanning Division, Operations Division

Defence Economic Issues

Topics

1. Defence related issues
   1. Conversion of military personne
   2. Management of former military sites
   3. The economic and civilian management of defence forces
      1. Resource management in defence spending
      2. Affordability and sustainability of defence expenditures
   4. Restructuring and conversion of defence industry (including privatisation)
2. Security aspects of economic developments - selected issues
3. Economic aspects of international fight against terrorism

Activities

1. Seminars, Workshops, Expert meetings, Training, Concrete project

Events planned

1. A conference on selected defence economic issues to be co-organised with theMarshall Center (proposed date: to be determined).
2. A symposium (possibly to be co-organised with the NATO Defence College) onthe Economic Aspects of the International Fight against Terrorism (date to bedetermined).
3. A seminar on Economic Aspects of Security and Defence in the Southern Caucasus, to be hosted in Tbilisi by Georgia (February 2004).
4. A seminar on Economic Aspects of Defence and Security within the context ofgrowing challenges to Security, to be hosted in Baky by Azerbaijan (September/October 2004).
5. Promotion of exchange of national experiences in the field of economic aspects of defence industry restructuring (format to be determined).

Committee support

EAPC in Economic Committee session

Staff support

International Staff, Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, Defence and Security Economics Directorate, to be coordinated with other Divisions where necessary.

Civil Emergency Planning and Disaster Preparedness

Topics

Civil Emergency Planning and Disaster Preparedness

Activities:

• Civil Support to Military Activities

Partners' participation, as agreed, in civil-emergency planning and coordination in support of non-article 5 crisis response operations

• Support for National Authorities in Civil Emergencies

  1. Support to the development of partners' national CEP structures
  2. Support to national authorities for civil emergencies
  3. Develop practical cooperation with relevant international organisations taking intoaccount their relevant competencies
• Support for National Authorities against the Effects of WMD and CBRN Terrorist Attacks
  1. Assist Partner nations in the preparedness for the protection of the civilian populations from terrorist attacks, including use of CBRN
  2. Updating and implementation of the CEP Action Plan for the improvement of civil preparedness for possible attacks against the civilian population with CBR agents
  3. Examine an enhanced role for the EADRC in the context of the CEP Action Plan
  4. Further development of the inventory of national capabilities that might be made available to assist an EAPC country stricken by terrorist attack with CBR agents
  5. Development of non-binding guidelines and minimum standards as agreed in the CEP Action Plan
  6. Develop practical cooperation with relevant international organisations taking into account their relevant competencie
• Crisis Management
  1. Implementation of the CEP crisis management arrangements
  2. CEP training for experts
  3. Crisis management exercise

Events planned

1. SCEPC meetings in EAPC format
2. PB&C meetings, seminars, workshops in EAPC format
3. EADRCC seminar to take stock of lessons learnt from EADRCC exercises and operations with the aim of improving future exercises and disaster responses - Dubrovnik/ Croatia - end of May 2004
4. Seminar on consequence management information tools for biological incidents aimed at enhancing awareness at strategic decision making levels on the decisions linked with preparedness against a CBRN incident - end of 2004/beginning 2005
5. CEP-CIMIC regional courses in 2004 in Sweden and in the USA (dates and places to be determined)
6. CEP and Disaster Management Courses conducted by EAPC Nations
7. Training seminars for EAPC experts in 2004 and in 2005
8. Partner Countries' CEP team visits to NATO HQ
9. CEP assessment team visits

Committee Support

Senior Civil Emergency Planning Committee in EAPC format

Staff support

OPS/CEP and EADRCC, SHAPE CIMIC section and NMA's as appropriate

Science

Topics

1. Participation in the activities of the restructured NATO Programme for Security Through Science, which focuses on linking Partner and NATO nation scientists together to address key security issues. Priority Research Topics have been identified for research cooperation in two areas:
   • Defence Against Terrorism
   • Countering Other Threats to Security
2. Topics dealing with Technology Transfer to address Partner Country Priorities will also be considered for support, and will be particularly encouraged if they also fall within the above-mentioned NATO Priority Research Topics.

Activities

1. Supporting applied science and technology projects that relate to industrial, environmental or security-related problems under the Science for Peace Programme
2. Supporting the fight against terrorism through non-classified civil science
3. Supporting the Partner countries in the commercialization of promising technology resulting from Science for Peace projects
4. Meeting of Science Committee in EAPC format at least once a year
5. Meeting of Science Committee in a Partner country once a year with a focus on promoting regional cooperation (e.g., Caucasus, Central Asia, etc.), involving meetings with key regional scientific personalities and "leaders of tomorrow"
6. Participation of scientists from Partner countries in Advanced Study Institutes (ASI) and Advanced Research Workshops (ARW), as well as the holding of such meetings in Partner countries
7. Participation of scientists from Partner countries in Collaborative Linkage Grants, Science Fellowships and Expert Visit Grants
8. Initiating a new mechanism of "Return Fellowships" to help re-integrate Partner fellows back into their home scientific institution following a fellowship in a NATOcountry
9. Sending proceedings of NATO's scientific meetings to a central library in each eligible Partner country and disseminating other literature on the Science Programme to scientists in Partner countries
10. Sponsoring visits of experts from Partner countries when invited by project directors in NATO member countries
11. Assisting Partners through the use of NATO's network of referees and experts
12. Assisting Partner nations to develop computer networks connected to the Internet to facilitate contacts and promote more effective cooperation among scientists. This is accomplished through Networking Infrastructure Grants and Networking Supplements to Collaborative Linkage Grants. A major activity in this area being conducted during 2001-2004 is the "Virtual Silk Highway" project, which will bring greatly increased Internet bandwidth to scientists of the 8 countries of the Caucasus and Central Asia

Events Planned

About 10000 scientists from the EAPC countries participate each year in activities sponsored by the NATO Science Programme. Joint applications are submitted by Partner and NATO country scientists to conduct cooperative activities. Grants are then awarded based on the scientific merit of the applications. The approximate numbers of new activities awarded each year are:

• 60 Advanced Research Workshops
• 35 Advanced Study Institutes
• 1100+ Fellowships
• 300 Collaborative Linkage Grants
• 35 Science for Peace Projects
• 50 Expert Visits
• 15 Computer Networking Infrastructure Grants

Committee support

Science Committee in EAPC format

Staff support

International Staff, Public Diplomacy Division

Topics

Following are the key objectives agreed by CCMS; some examples are given to indicate either current or planned activities.

1. Reducing the environmental impact of military activities (reuse of former militarysites, environmental management systems)
2. Conducting regional studies including cross-border activities (Black Sea, CaspianSea, Baltic Sea and Central Asia)
3. Preventing conflicts in relation to scarcity of resources (water quality and quantity)
4. Addressing emerging risks to the environment and society that could causeeconomic, cultural and political instability (vulnerability of interconnected society)
5. Addressing non-traditional threats to security (infectious diseases, environmentalcrime and ecoterrorism, legal and illegal transboundary movements of hazardoussubstances)
6. to focus activities on implementation of environmental management system (EMS)in the defence sector with the goal of exchanging the experiences of individual with implementation of EMS
7. Any additional topics of interest both to NATO and Partner countries

Activities

1. Meeting of the Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society (CCMS) in EAPC format at least once a year
2. Participation of Partners' experts in pilot study meetings, short term projects,workshops, conferences, seminars, and holding meetings in Partner countries
3. Dissemination of information on CCMS pilot studies, short term projects,workshops, conferences and seminars, as well as approved reports to Partner
4. The following current or recent pilot study topics will be subject to annual revision in consultation with Partners:
   • Clean products and processes
   • Ecosystem modelling of coastal lagoons for sustainable management (Phase II)
   • Natural hazards
   • Environmental decision-making for sustainable development in Central Asia
   • Effective risk response strategies
   • Forms of environmental education in the armed forces and their impact oncreation of pro-environmental attitudes
   • Using landscape science for environmental assessment
   • Caspian basin observing system for environmental forecasting
   • Food chain security
   • Security of narrow waterways, ports/harbours
   • Integrated water management
   • Risk assessment of Chernobyl accident consequences

Committee support

Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society in EAPC format

Staff support

International Staff, Public Diplomacy Division

Information

Topics

1. Emphasis on regional matters, including South Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus and Central Asia. The new security challenges will continue to be an essential component within the information programmes
2. Contribution to increased understanding of NATO and EAPC/PfP issues and to amore informed debate on security matters
3. Exploration of expectations including public expectations of the informationprogramme

Activities

1. Information about NATO and its policies as well as on EAPC/PfP issues will be made available to target audiences in Partner countries, including selected institutions and organisations, inter alia through Embassies of NATO member countries serving as contact points, and other channels
2. Continue and further intensify information-related cooperation with relevantinstitutions in Partner countries able to provide the necessary facilities, support personnel and services; with notably, an emphasis on relations with media and academics
3. Visits to NATO by target groups
4. Sponsorship of experts from Partner countries to attend security-related seminars in Allied countries
5. Co-sponsorship of seminars/workshops and educational activities relevant to Euro-Atlantic security and defence issues
6. Presentations by speakers from NATO and Partner countries at selected events
7. Increased dissemination of NATO documentation and information materials inPartner countries, and dissemination of information by electronic means
8. Manfred Wr Fellowship for academics (individual and institutional support).
9. Press tours to NATO and Partner countries

Events planned

1. Regular meeting(s) of the Committee on Information and Cultural Relations (CICR) with EAPC Partners (date(s) t. b.d.)
2. One flagship event per country will be organised with the support of PDD. For the organisation of flagship events coordination of PDD with key non-governmental organisations and relevant authorities in the partner countries is a prerequisite
3. EAPC Seminar on "Contributing to a Favourable Security Environment throughInforming Public Opinion in Partner States" to be held in Yerevan, Armenia, in the 1st half of 2004
4. International conference on "Security in South Caucasus", to be organised in Baky in the 1st half of 2004 by NATO Parliamentary Assembly in cooperation with the Parliament of the Republic of Azerbaijan
5. "Third Eurasia media Forum" to be held in Almaty, Kazakhstan (April 2004)
6. "Central Asia and the path of transformation" to be held in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, in the 1st half of 2004, in cooperation with Fulbright Association
7. Workshop on "Democratic Institutions and Stabilisation in the Caucasus" to beorganised in Tbilisi, Georgia by the Tbilisi School of Political Studies (second half of 2004)
8. Seminar on topics related to NATO's image in Allied and Partner countries, to behosted by Romania (First half of 2005, date TBD)

Committee support

1. Committee on Information and Cultural Relations (CICR) in EAPC format

Staff support

1. International Staff, Public Diplomacy Division

International Humanitarian Law

Topics

1. Knowledge and application of International Humanitarian Law

Activities

1. Seminars, workshops, briefings and expert meetings

Events planned

1. Follow-up to the Geneva workshop in Information Technology and InternationalHumanitarian Law November 2003.

Committee support

EAPC in Political Committee session, PMSC in EAPC/PfP format

Staff support

International Staff, Political Affairs and Security Policy Division, Euro-Atlantic Integration and Partnership Directorate; Defence Policy and Planning Division, Operations Division

Protective Security

Topics

1. Common understanding of concepts and principles related to the protection ofclassified information
2. Knowledge and application of NATO procedures for the protection of classifiedinformation and materiel, including in peace support operations

Activities

1. Regular visits/liaison with the security authorities of EAPC member countries
2. Specialised courses in the field of protective security

Events planned

1. A seminar to be organised in 2004 and one in 2005 on "NATO Security Policy and Requirements" for security specialists of PfP countries (dates TBD).

Committee support

1. NATO Security Committee in EAPC format

Staff support

1. NATO Office of Security

Section III: PfP Areas of Cooperation

1. As stipulated by the EAPC Basic Document, Partnership for Peace in its enhanced form will be a clearly identifiable element within the flexible framework created by the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. PfP will maintain the Alliance+1 character reflected in the Individual Partnership Programmes, as well as the principle of self-differentiation. In that context, PfP will provide increased scope for regional cooperation activities.
2. Topics and activities undertaken in the PfP are included in the PfP PartnershipWork Programme, which is a separate document. Below are listed the generic agreed areas of cooperation that will be updated every two years.
3. Cooperation in these areas is also supported by PfP mechanisms such as the Trust Fund Policy which assists Partner nations to destroy their anti-personnel land mines stockpiles, surplus munitions and SALW and to assist Partner Nation to manage the consequences of defence reform.
   1. Air Defence related matters (ADF)
   2. Airspace Management/Control (ASM)
   3. Consultation, Command and Control, Including Communications and Information Systems, Navigation and Identification Systems, Interoperability Aspects, Procedures and Terminology (C3)
   4. Civil Emergency Planning (CEP)
   5. Crisis Management (CRM)
   6. Democratic Control of Forces and Defence Structures (DCF)
   7. Defence Planning, Budgeting and Resource Management (DPB)
   8. Planning, Organisation and Management of National Defence ProcurementProgrammes and International Cooperation in the Armaments Field (DPM)
   9. Defence Policy and Strategy (DPS)
   10. Planning, Organisation and Management of National Defence Research andTechnology (DRT)
   11. Military Geography (GEO)
   12. Global Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA)
   13. International Humanitarian Law (IHL)
   14. Language Training (LNG)
   15. Consumer Logistics (LOG)
   16. Medical Services (MED)
   17. Meteorological Support for NATO/Partner Forces (MET)
   18. Military Infrastructure (MIF)
   19. Political and Defence Efforts against NBC Proliferation (NBC)
   20. Conceptual, Planning and Operational Aspects of Peacekeeping (PKG)
   21. Small Arms and Light Weapons (SLW)
   22. Operational, Materiel and Administrative Aspects of Standardisation (STD)
   23. Military Exercises and Related Training Activities (TEX)
   24. Military Education, Training and Doctrine (TRD)

As reflected in the "Short-Term Planning" section of this document, a significant effort will be devoted to the further development and implementation of the Partnership related initiatives launched at the Washington Summit.