Intervention

Mr. Secretary General,
Our meeting today gives me the opportunity to assess the different developments which will culminate at the forthcoming NATO Summit. It also provides me with the opportunity to share with you some thoughts on an important process, which is a key element of the evolving security architecture, namely the adaptation of the CFE Treaty.

It is my conviction that the forthcoming Summit should take a number of important steps.

A "new NATO" should become visible, fully equipped for old and new tasks; It should make room within NATO for a distinct and visible European role in undertaking Petersberg-type missions through the WEU; It should launch a new 'Atlantic Partnership Council' which could integrate NACC and PfP, and provide a forum for political consultations; It should lead to a formalised relationship between NATO and Russia; It should also lead to an enhanced partnership with Ukraine. It should promote stability and integration in Europe through NATO's enlargement. The Summit will stress that, after the first round of cessions, the door of NATO will remain open.

The Summit will take place against the background of important negotiations on the adaptation of the CFE Treaty. The thirty states parties to the CFE Treaty have just taken the historic decision to begin negotiations with a view to adapting the Treaty to take account of the changing security environment in Europe.

As regards this important process, I should like to make the following comments.

The CFE Treaty was concluded at a time when a new era in Europe was about to dawn. It marked the transition from bipolar Cold War suspicions to mutual confidence. As a result of enormous reductions in the numbers of conventional armaments throughout Europe, and through transparency in military relations, the threat of a largescale war in Europe has disappeared.

Bipolarity in Europe has given way to a changed security environment, full of new risks and challenges, but also full of new opportunities. In order for the CFE treaty to remain a cornerstone of European security, it must be adapted to respond to these challenges and opportunities. I believe that we should adhere to the following principles for modernisation of the CFE treaty:

It should prevent new dividing lines anywhere in Europe. This means that we have to think of ways to move away from the current bipolar group structure and zonal system of limitations. We might devise a system of national limitations, possibly within the framework of a regional system of arms control and confidence building measures.

It should increase stability and security for all European States. Modernisation of the Treaty is a matter for all States Parties to the Treaty. It is important that it also addresses those specific concerns of smaller states in sensitive regions, such as the Transcaucasian republics and Moldova. Modernisation should also increase the security of States which are currently not parties to the Treaty and for which modernisation might have important consequences, such as the Baltic countries, Sweden and Finland. Consequently,

Modernisation should open the Treaty for all European states. It should be possible to share the stability and security that the Treaty provides for with all European states. This is another important reason for revision of the group and zonal structures of the Treaty.

It should sustain and build upon the current Treaty benefits. A modernised treaty should continue to prevent a destabilizing accumulation of forces anywhere in Europe and continue to provide for at least the same level of transparency. A revised Treaty should also lead to a reduced need for conventional armed forces in Europe, where appropriate. While starting the process of modernising the Treaty, implementation of the current Treaty and its associated documents, including the flank agreement, remains a conditio sine qua non. Stationing of forces, on the basis of full consent from the host state only, should remain possible.
In conclusion, Mr. Secretary General,

Modernizing CFE is an important step which complements the evolving security architecture of Europe. Strengthening the NACC/PfP frame work; adapting and enlarging NATO; the European Security Model; and the Framework for Arms Control; are all integral parts of this process. It is in the interests of us all that we succeed.

Thank you.