Statement
NATO-Russia
Permanent Joint Council
Meeting at Defence Ministers Level
Held in Brussels on 8 June 2001
The NATO-Russia Permanent Joint Council (PJC) met at the level of Defence
Ministers on Friday, 8 June 2001 in Brussels.
As enshrined in the NATO-Russia
Founding Act, Ministers reaffirmed their commitment to a strong, stable
and enduring partnership in the defence and military field. They agreed
to step up their efforts to promote lasting and inclusive peace throughout
the Euro-Atlantic area, based on the principles of democracy and cooperative
security.
Ministers reviewed the situation in the Balkans. They noted the good
cooperation between their forces on the ground, and the high degree of
common ground in their assessment of the security situation. They reiterated
their full commitment to the security, stability and territorial integrity
of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1).
They reaffirmed the importance of supporting Skopje’s efforts in
isolating extremist elements while at the same time pursuing political
reforms. They called upon all ethnic communities to stand firm against
extremism and violence.
Ministers welcomed the efforts of the democratic government of the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia to contribute towards long-term stability in the
region. They welcomed the peace plan developed by the FRY/Serbian authorities
to normalise inter-ethnic relations in southern Serbia, and the improved
security situation in the area. They urged continued implementation of
the confidence building measures set out in the peace plan. They noted
the good cooperation with the FRY authorities in the context of the re-entry
of the FRY security forces into the ground safety zone.
Ministers expressed their support for a democratic Montenegro within
a democratic Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. They noted the danger of
unilateral action and called for an early resumption of a constructive
dialogue between the authorities in Belgrade and Podgorica.
Ministers welcomed the significant efforts of NATO and Russian contingents
in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. They strongly condemned the continued
incidents of violence in and around Kosovo as well as extremist and terrorist
activities. They reiterated their commitment to the full implementation
of the Dayton Peace Accords
and UNSCR 1244 in all
their aspects.
Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the broad range of issues
addressed in the PJC since their last meeting, including defence reform,
arms control, problems of proliferation, the retraining of discharged
military personnel, combating international terrorism, as well as dialogue
on ways and means to improve cooperation in the EAPC and PfP.
Ministers pursued discussion on Russian proposals for non-strategic missile
defence and agreed to continue this exchange of views in the PJC. They
also addressed nuclear weapons issues, including inter alia NATO proposals
for nuclear Confidence and Security Building Measures.
Ministers endorsed a Progress Report on the implementation of the work
programme on cooperation in search and rescue at sea under the auspices
of the NATO-Russia PJC, and a work programme for July-December 2001. They
also welcomed the Memorandum of Agreement on the opening of an “Information,
Consultation and Training Centre" on the Resettlement of Military
Personnel due for discharge or discharged from the Russian Federation
Armed Forces.
Ministers emphasised the importance they attach to the further development
of their military-to-military cooperation and agreed to accelerate consultations
on the establishment of a NATO Military Liaison Mission in Moscow (MLM)
with a view to reaching agreement by the end of the year.
Ministers agreed to meet again at Ministerial level in Brussels on 18
December 2001.
- Turkey
recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.
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