Remarks

Dear Secretary General,
Colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,

I would like to inform you that earlier today the Defense Ministers of Albania, Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Macedonia, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia had an informal meeting to discuss MAP-related issues.

We recognized the importance of further implementation of measures and activities within the MAP area. Without prejudice to the individual track to membership of each of the MAP countries we have a common interest of achieving the national MAP objectives, translated in respective Partnership Goals, as soon as possible.

We also have a common interest in being brought more closely in the thinking and decision-making on DCI and ESDI issues. We appreciate, in this regard, the Alliance's openness on keeping Partner nations in the mainstream of DCI discussions.

Many of the aspiring members have engaged in very substantial, and I would say fundamental, defence reform. Exchange of views and experience in this crucial area seems to us to be very important on our way to NATO membership, and more generally, for the improved performance and cost-effectiveness of our forces.

We have reached a decision in principle to meet in Sofia in the first half of October this year to continue in more detail the dialogue on these practical issues.

I avail myself of this opportunity to congratulate our Slovenian colleague who took office a day ago.

It is only natural, Mr. Secretary General, that we would expect the continued support of the Alliance in those areas which are of common interest.

In particular, we would appreciate an even more active participation in these discussions of our Czech, Hungarian and Polish colleagues who have already gone along this road and have a very valuable experience.

Mr. Chairman,

We think that the first annual cycle of the MAP has been a success. It has laid a solid foundation for further work on preparation for membership. However, the positive achievements could be reinforced even further. To this effect, a MAP lessons learned exercise is timely and appropriate. We are ready and willing to engage with the Allies in a joint assessment and developing recommendations on possible improvement and streamlining of future work.

In due course, Bulgaria will provide specific suggestions. At this stage, I would like to forward some initial thoughts for common consideration.

The lessons learned exercise would support the transition from the initial, predominantly planning phase of the MAP process, to the practical implementation of the Annual National Programmes. At this stage our attention should probably be focused on modeling a specific profile of each MAP participant as a member-to-be. The principle of self-differentiation should be coupled by the distinguishing guidance of the Alliance. This would mean a greater emphasis on individual MAP workshops to deal with country-specific issues. Needless to say, this would in no way implicate NATO in the aspirant's decision making or implementation which, as always, will remain national responsibility.

In particular, the above suggestions should entail a more active "advisory" involvement of NATO Military Authorities in the implementation of the MAP. This is particularly relevant to the planning targets established within the Partnership Goals. It seems that direct feedback and advice from the relevant regional commands, for example, could be very helpful in better focusing our military preparation for future membership.

Thus we will also avoid unnecessary duplication of efforts. Especially if follow through on the proposals for greater synergy between different MAP and PfP-related procedures and documentation.

We share the view on the need to overcome the existing staff and administrative deficiencies in the civilian administration of Kosovo. In this contest, I would like to inform you that Bulgaria is preparing to dispatch in the nearest future an additional number of police personnel, up to 50, in support of the international police force in Kosovo.

The South East Europe Initiative complements NATO's involvement in the region through the KFOR/SFOR missions. It strengthens the Open Door policy. Its role within the Alliance should be revitalized and adapted to the evolving security environment in SEE and the area of the Black Sea. Together with the other SEDM participating countries, my government has initiated work on developing the SEE Security Cooperation Steering Group (SEEGROUP) and we look forward to its early establishment.

Thank you for your attention.