Press Communiqu M-2-EAPC (98)144 8 Dec. 1998

Chairman's summary of the meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council NATO Headquarters, Brussels The Foreign Ministers and Representatives of the member countries of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) met in Brussels today. The Secretary-General of the Western European Union also attended the meeting. The Secretary General of NATO informed the EAPC about the results of the North Atlantic Council meeting earlier on that day. Ministers exchanged views on "Future Security Challenges and NATO-Partner Cooperation in the context of EAPC and PfP". They discussed in particular the situations in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in Kosovo. They underlined the importance of the consultations that had taken place with Partners on Kosovo to inform them of the status of NATO's contingency planning, and welcomed the expanded opportunities that the EAPC provides for such detailed consultations. In particular, Ministers underscored the urgent need for finding a political solution to the crisis in Kosovo and the necessity for the parties in the conflict to comply fully with relevant UNSC Resolutions. Ministers noted NATO's supporting role and close co-ordination with the OSCE in helping re-create stability and security in the region. On Bosnia, Ministers welcomed the continued supportive role of SFOR in support of full implementation of the Dayton Peace Accords. On the basis of a comprehensive report, Ministers reviewed progress achieved on the implementation of the EAPC Basic Document and on the enhancement of the Partnership for Peace. They exchanged views on effective ways to further intensify cooperation within the EAPC/PfP framework. Ministers exchanged views on the continuing work on the development of a political-military framework for NATO-led PfP Operations that addresses the participation of Partners in operational planning, in command arrangements and Partner involvement in political consultations and decision-making. They endorsed the aim to finalise work on the framework by the time of the Washington Summit. They welcomed the first steps that have been taken to implement the expanded and adapted PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP). Ministers welcomed the valuable contribution to the Partnership that has been made by the 39 Partner Officers selected to serve in international positions in the 8 PfP Staff Elements at selected NATO Headquarters. Ministers also took note of a concept for PfP training centres, which will contribute to enhancing training, education and interoperability, and of the development of a policy framework for PfP internships on NATO's International Staff. Ministers welcomed the beginning of discussions on multinational formations as an additional element of the more operational partnership now taking shape. Ministers endorsed and agreed to make public an updated EAPC Action Plan for 1998-2000, worked out jointly by all EAPC member states. As laid out in the Action Plan, and following established practice, EAPC Ministers agreed that their Ambassadors should establish a schedule of priority consultations and cooperation activities to be carried out in the period leading up to their next meeting. Ministers welcomed continuing work on practical security cooperation in the EAPC, and underlined the valuable contribution that regional cooperation can make to the overall security and stability of the Euro-Atlantic area. They exchanged information on a number of regional cooperation efforts. EAPC Heads of State and Government will meet on 25 April 1999 in Washington.