NATO HQ, Brussels Dec. 2001

Framework Guidelines for the Exchange of Border Security Personnel in South East Europe (SEESTAFF) States participating in the Southeast Europe Security Cooperation Steering Group (SEEGROUP) agree that in countering the threats to security and development in Southeast Europe a concerted effort is needed, based on the existing environment of confidence among countries of the region. As one step towards addressing these challenges, the SEEGROUP considered the possibilities to improve border security. The SEEGROUP note that cooperative regional approaches to issues facing Southeast Europe have shown good results in the past and that participants are willing to continue and further emphasize regional approaches. Following up the SEECAP endorsed by Foreign Ministers on 29 May 2001, as well as the recommendation by the North Atlantic Council in the framework of NATO's Southeast Europe Initiative to exchange staff as a further confidence building measure, the SEEGROUP believe that the exchange of personnel can be beneficial for the improvement of border security. In that context, States participating in the SEEGROUP agree to begin, as a matter of priority and as soon as possible, the exchange of liaison officials at border checkpoints and at headquarters. Other possible forms of border security personnel exchanges would be considered as well. The arrangements for specific voluntary exchanges should be made as deemed appropriate between interested countries in accordance with their specific requirements. The SEESTAFF should aim to achieve concrete results in fighting against non-conventional threats, such as organized crime, terrorism, illegal immigration and trafficking of human beings, arms, narcotics and other illicit materials. Its specific contributions could be primarily to facilitate common action, liaison and coordination, exchange of information and expertise, as well as building further confidence in the region. With the aim to benefit from training opportunities existing in the PfP framework, the SEEGROUP encourage the Directors of PfP Training Centres to develop, as a matter of priority, a common curriculum to provide basic training to exchange personnel at PfP Training Centres. Information on actual staff exchanges and the joint training curriculum will be provided to the SEEGROUP and, for transparency, to EAPC, SEECP and SEDM, Stability Pact as well as to other appropriate fora. These guidelines and progress in SEESTAFF exchanges will be reviewed at senior level, at the latest, following one year of implementation. Based on the principles in these Framework Guidelines, the SEEGROUP also encourage willing States to proceed to exchanges of personnel in other fields, including among their Foreign and Defence Ministries.