Press Release M-2-EAPC (2001)165 7 Dec. 2001

Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) Action Plan 2002-2004 Section I : Short-Term Planning Organisation of EAPC work (Inter-Ministerial Work Schedule, including political and security-related consultations and practical cooperation) The EAPC Action Plan covers a two-year period. The Action Plan for the period 2000 until 2002 has been reviewed this Autumn to develop the EAPC Action Plan for the next two-year period and will be updated in the Autumn of 2002. After submission to Ambassadors the Action Plan will be endorsed by Ministers at their December meeting. As a follow-up to each regular meeting of EAPC Foreign and Defence Ministers, EAPC Ambassadors will establish a work schedule for consultations on political and security-related issues as well as on practical cooperation activities under the EAPC Action Plan, leading up to the following Ministerial meeting. Topics to be discussed in that period will be dictated by political and security-related developments and take into account the Ministerial meetings just completed. The schedule may be adjusted as necessary. Other meetings such as in Alliance+n and other formats will be scheduled on a case-by-case basis. The EAPC will be kept informed by its Chairman on relevant developments within the Alliance. 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." 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. In 2001, the EAPC/PMSC Ad Hoc Group on Cooperation in Peacekeeping continued its work. Other Ad Hoc Working Groups also met, covering the following issues: Global Humanitarian Mine Action, the Challenge of Small Arms and Light Weapons, Prospects for Regional Cooperation in South Eastern Europe, and Prospects for Regional Cooperation in the Caucasus. The EAPC will consider, based on evolving practical experience, whether these working methods would need improvement, adaptation or extension. A major part of the work schedule will be devoted to the further 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). 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 Regional matters, including South Eastern Europe and the South Caucasus Enhancing practical cooperation, in the EAPC framework, with the Central Asian Partner countries International fight against terrorism Cooperation on Stability Pact issues (Working Table 3) Cooperation with the OSCE and other international institutions on security issues The situation in the Balkans Follow-up on the Political-Military Framework for NATO-led PfP Operations Practical cooperation issues Border security Other topics to be defined Activities Seminars, workshops, open ended Ad Hoc Working Groups' meetings, expert meetings, briefings and exchange of information on Bosnia Herzegovina and Kosovo Events planned Seminar on EAPC adaptation to the new security context to be hosted by Romania (2003, date t.b.d.) Three annual seminars/workshops on regional security cooperation, including: Seminar on regional approaches to the new security risks, to be hosted by Romania (2002, date t.b.d.) Seminar on "Challenges to Regional Cooperation in South Caucasus", to be held in Baky, Azerbaijan (first half of 2002) Seminar on the enhancement of NATO-OSCE-EU cooperation to ensure stability and security in SEE, to be hosted by Romania (2003, date t.b.d.) Seminar on the improvement of co-ordination of initiatives for regional cooperation in the SEE, to be hosted by Romania (2003, date t.b.d.) Workshop on "Collection of Illegally Owned Small Arms and Light Weapons and Regional Control Regimes on Small Arms and Light Weapons" (second half of 2002, date t.b.d.), to be hosted by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1). Seminar on "Regional Co-operation in forecasting and following cross-border crises situations, from the aspect of protection of the Environment", to be hosted by the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) (first half of 2003). Meetings of NATO Regional Experts with experts from Partner countries (dates t.b.d.) Committee support EAPC in Ambassadorial and Political Committee sessions, PMSC in EAPC/PfP format, Policy Coordination Group with EAPC Partners Staff support: International Staff, Political Affairs Division, Political Directorate, Defence Planning and Operations Division Policy planning Topic Mid- and long-term foreign and security policy issues Activities Meetings of NATO's Atlantic Policy Advisory Group in EAPC format Events planned Annual meetings of APAG in EAPC format. Next one to be held in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) Committee support EAPC in Political Committee session Staff support International Staff, Political Affairs Division, Political Directorate Arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation issues Topics Arms control Political and defence efforts against proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and missiles and their components The Challenge of small arms and light weapons Global Humanitarian Mine Action Border control Activities Consultations and expert meetings, open ended Ad Hoc Working Groups' meetings Events planned Small Arms and Light Weapons: follow-up to the Brugg seminar of May 2001 on Stockpile Security and Management Follow up to the Baky Workshop of June 2001 on Small Arms and Light Weapons Committee support EAPC in Political Committee session, PMSC in EAPC/PfP format Staff Support International Staff, Political Affairs Division, Political Directorate; Defense Partnership and Cooperation Directorate, Defence Planning and Operations Division Implementation of arms control agreements Topic Conventional arms control, implementation and verification Activities Consultations, expert meetings, seminars, workshops Training and courses on support of arms control implementation Events planned Courses on general arms control orientation at NATO School, Oberammergau January/July 2002. Continuation and adaptation of programme of Joint Multilateral Inspection Teams for CFE Cooperation Partners Continuation of operation and development of the VERITY database Annual Workshop with all CFE States Parties to load CFE information exchange data into the VERITY Database Annual Workshop with all CFE States Parties to review the Notified Current Force Structure in the VERITY Database Seminar on implementation of conventional arms control agreements (including CFE), with a regional focus, as appropriate (February 2002) Committee Support Verification and Coordination Committee Staff support International Staff, Political Affairs Division, Political Directorate International fight against terrorism Topics Identifying terrorism threats and responses to acts of terrorism Developing EAPC's role in the international fight against terrorism Sustaining high-level political commitment, following on EAPC Declaration of 12 September Tangible support, as appropriate, to Central Asia and the Caucasus partner countries Cooperation in civil emergency planning (CEP) Other practical cooperation including PfP activities Activities Meetings of the Special Committee in the EAPC format Have terrorism figure prominently on agendas for EAPC Ambassadorial meetings and other committees meeting in EAPC format Progress reports prepared for EAPC Ministerials as appropriate Exploring, inter alia, the use of the Trust Fund mechanism in order to facilitate participation of Central Asian and Caucasus partner countries in relevant EAPC/PfP activities Partners' participation in implementing, as appropriate, CEP Action Plan for the improvement of civil preparedness against possible attacks against the civilian population with chemical, biological and radiological agents. Partners participation to the WMCD'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 As appropriate, explore modalities for cooperation in non-article 5 activities related to the WMD Centre Seminars/workshops on EAPC's role in the fight against terrorism Events planned Meeting of the Special Committee in the EAPC format (2002) Seminar on EAPC's role in the international fight against terrorism to be hosted by Poland (February 2002) Seminar on "International Fight against Terrorism: Prospects for Regional Cooperation in South Caucasus" (proposed date: second half of 2002) Seminar on "Links amongst terrorism, drug smuggling, organised crime and other illegal activities" to be hosted by Azerbaijan (proposed date: early 2003). 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 and other relevant committees in EAPC/PfP format Staff support International Staff: NATO Office of Security; Political Affairs Division, Political Directorate; Defence Planning and Operations Division, SILCEP/CEP Directorate 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 public security aspects of PSOs post conflict management cultural property protection in PSOs Activities Meetings of the EAPC/PMSC Ad Hoc Group on Cooperation in Peacekeeping, inviting where appropriate international organisations and other concerned groups (dates t.b.d.). Expanded contacts and dialogue with the United Nations and OSCE on conceptual approaches to peacekeeping Ad Hoc meetings of specialists on International Humanitarian Law Committee support EAPC/PMSC Ad Hoc Group on Cooperation in Peacekeeping Staff Support International Staff, Political Affairs Division, Political Directorate; Defence Planning and Operations Division Defence economic issues Topics Defence related issues Resource management in defence spending Transparency in defence planning and budgeting Transition from conscript to professional army Management of former military sites Restructuring of defence industries (including privatisation) Regional matters Security aspects of economic developments - selected issues (e.g. regional cooperation, shadow economy, investment climate) Economic Aspects of International Fight Against Terrorism Activities Seminars, Workshops, Expert meetings, Annual Colloquium Events planned Annual NATO Economics Colloquium, to be organised at NATO HQ in June 2002 and to be hosted by Ukraine in 2003 (proposed date to be determined). Seminar in Bulgaria on "Privatisation and Restructuring of Defence Industries, with a particular Focus on the Progress Achieved in South Eastern Europe (proposed date: first half of 2002). A conference in Germany on selected defence economics issues to be co-organised with the Marshall Center (proposed date: September 2002). A Seminar in Hungary on "The Rôle of Application of Double Entry Book keeping in Defence Resource Management" (proposed date: to be determined). Sequence of presentations/training courses in Security and Defence Economics given by experts to selected audiences from the countries of South Caucasus (proposed date: to be determined). A Defence Economics Seminar, to be hosted by Germany in Berlin (proposed date: to be determined). A seminar on "Planning, Programming and Budgeting in the Field of Defence" to be hosted by Latvia in Riga (proposed date: to be determined). Exchanges on "Real Cost of Defence as Measured in Purchasing Power Parities" (format to be determined). An EAPC Seminar on "Ten Years of Defence Economics - Security and Stability in Transition" to be hosted by Slovenia on 28-29 January 2002 . Committee support EAPC in Economic Committee Session Staff support International Staff, Political Affairs Division, Economics Directorate, to be coordinated with other Divisions where necessary Civil emergency planning and disaster preparedness Topic Civil Emergency Planning and Disaster Preparedness Activities Improvement of civil preparedness against possible attacks against the civilian population with chemical, biological and radiological (CBR) agents Exercise EADRCC procedures and EADRU deployment Meetings of the SCEPC and PB&Cs in EAPC formats. Partners' participation, as agreed, in the implementation of the CEP review and its adaptation and in the work of SCEPC and PB&Cs Partners' participation, as agreed, in civil-military planning and coordination in support of non-art 5 crisis response operations Support to the development of Partners' CEP planning structures Consideration of the problems that may result from attacks on critical civil infrastructure taking into the work currently being conducted by the Planning Boards and Committees. Support to national authorities in civil emergencies Events planned SCEPC meetings in EAPC format PB&C meetings, seminars, workshops in EAPC format CEP assessment team visits Partner Countries' CEP team visits to NATO HQ CEP-CIMIC courses at NATO School in Oberammergau Regional CEP-CIMIC courses in Slovenia and the Kyrgyz Republic PWP/EADRCC exercise "Taming the Dragon/Dalmatia" in Croatia in May 2002 PWP/EADRCC field exercise in Russia in Autumn 2002 PWP/EADRCC field exercise in 2003 to be hosted by Romania Committee support Senior Civil Emergency Planning Committee in EAPC format Staff support The EADRCC, SILCEP/CEP Directorate, SHAPE CIMIC section and NMA's as appropriate Science Topics Participation in the activities of the NATO Civil Science Programme, which focuses on linking Partner and NATO nation scientists. The four Sub-Programmes are: Science Fellowships Cooperative Science and Technology Research Infrastructure Support Science for Peace Activities Supporting applied science and technology projects that relate to industrial, environmental or security-related problems under the Science for Peace Programme Meeting of Science Committee in EAPC format at least once a year 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" 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 Participation of scientists from Partner countries in Collaborative Linkage Grants, Science Fellowships and Expert Visit Grants 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 Sponsoring visits of experts from Partner countries when invited by project directors in NATO member countries Assisting Partners through the use of NATO's network of referees and experts 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 to be 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 NATO Science Committee expert visits to Partner countries 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, Scientific and Environmental Affairs Division Challenges of modern societies Topics Following are the key objectives agreed by CCMS; some examples are given to indicate either current or planned activities. Reducing the environmental impact of military activities (reuse of former military sites, environmental management systems) Conducting regional studies including cross-border activities (Black Sea, Caspian Sea, Baltic Sea and Central Asia) Preventing conflicts in relation to scarcity of resources (water quality and quantity) Addressing emerging risks to the environment and society that could cause economic, cultural and political instability (vulnerability of interconnected society) Addressing non-traditional threats to security (infectious diseases, environmental crime and ecoterrorism, legal and illegal transboundary movements of hazardous substances) Any additional topics of interest both to NATO and Partner countries Activities Meeting of the Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society (CCMS) in EAPC format at least once a year Participation of Partners' experts in pilot study meetings, short term projects, workshops, conferences, seminars, and holding meetings in Partner countries Dissemination of information on CCMS pilot studies, short term projects, workshops, conferences and seminars, as well as approved reports to Partners 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) Modelling nutrient loads and response in river and estuary systems Sustainable building for military infrastructure Environmental decision-making for sustainable development in Central Asia Forms of environmental education in the armed forces and their impact on creation of pro-environmental attitudes Vulnerability of the interconnected society Using landscape science for environmental assessment Events Planned Workshop on Risk Assessment of Chernobyl Accident Consequences Workshop on Reuse and Cleaning of Former Military Sites Workshop on Environmental Challenges in the Caspian Sea to be hosted by Azerbaijan, in Baky, in March 2002 Committee support Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society in EAPC format Staff support International Staff, Scientific and Environmental Affairs Division Information Topics Contribution to increased understanding of NATO and EAPC/PfP issues and to a more informed debate on security matters Exploration of expectations including public expectations of the information programme Activities 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 Continue and further intensify information-related cooperation with relevant institutions in Partner countries able to provide the necessary facilities, support personnel and services Visits to NATO by target groups Sponsorship of experts from Partner countries to attend security-related seminars in Allied countries Co-sponsorship of seminars/workshops and educational activities relevant to Euro-Atlantic security and defence issues Presentations by speakers from NATO and Partner countries at selected events Increased dissemination of NATO documentation and information materials in Partner countries, and dissemination of information by electronic means Distribution of NATO video footage and photos Press tours to NATO and Partner countries Events planned Regular meeting(s) of the Committee on Information and Cultural Relations (CICR) with EAPC Partners (date(s) t.b.d.) Committee support Committee on Information and Cultural Relations (CICR) in EAPC format Staff support International Staff, Office of Information and Press New area on International humanitarian law Topics Knowledge and application of International Humanitarian Law Activities Seminars, workshops, briefings and expert meetings Events planned Workshop on International Humanitarian Law Implementation Mechanisms 2002 (Follow up to the London Workshop, November 2000) Follow up to the Interlaken Workshop on Prosecuting War Crimes (in 2003) Briefing to the EAPC Ambassadors by the President of the ICRC (in 2003) Committee support EAPC in Political Committee session, PMSC in EAPC/PfP format Staff support International Staff, Political Affairs Division, Political Directorate; Defence Planning and Operations Division, Defence Partnership and Co-operation Directorate New area on Protective Security Topics Common understanding of concepts and principles related to the protection of classified information Knowledge and application of NATO procedures for the protection of classified information and materiel, including in peace support operations Activities Regular visits/liaison with the security authorities of EAPC member countries Specialised courses in the field of protective security Events planned Seminar on NATO Security Policy and procedures Committee support NATO Security Committee in EAPC format Staff support 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 Partnership Work Programme, which is a separate document. Below are listed the generic agreed areas of cooperation that will be updated every two years. Air Defence related matters (ADF) Airspace Management/Control (ASM) Consultation, Command and Control, Including Communications and Information Systems, Navigation and Identification Systems, Interoperability Aspects, Procedures and Terminology (C3) Civil Emergency Planning (CEP) Crisis Management (CRM) Democratic Control of Forces and Defence Structures (DCF) Defence Planning, Budgeting and Resource Management (DPB) Planning, Organisation and Management of National Defence Procurement Programmes and International Cooperation in the Armaments Field (DPM) Defence Policy and Strategy (DPS) Planning, Organisation and Management of National Defence Research and Technology (DRT) Military Geography (GEO) Global Humanitarian Mine Action (HMA) International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Language Training (LNG) Consumer Logistics (LOG) Medical Services (MED) Meteorological Support for NATO/Partner Forces (MET) Military Infrastructure (MIF) Political and Defence Efforts against NBC Proliferation (NBC) Conceptual, Planning and Operational Aspects of Peacekeeping (PKG) Small Arms and Light Weapons (SLW) Operational, Materiel and Administrative Aspects of Standardisation (STD) Military Exercises and Related Training Activities (TEX) 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. Broadening of PfP activities and adaptation, where appropriate, of the Partnership Work Programme, to address the challenges posed by terrorism. A part of PfP Planning Symposium, Oberammergau, January 2002 will be devoted to ways of enhancing anti-terrorist capacities. 1. Turkey recognises the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name