Press
Release
(2003)057
4 June 2003 |
Chairman’s
Summary
of the Meeting of
the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council
in Foreign Ministers
Session
- The Foreign Ministers and Representatives of the member
countries of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC)
met in Madrid today.
- The EAPC brings together 46 nations in a historically
unprecedented coalition stretching from North America, across
Europe, and
into Central Asia. These nations are working together to
deal with the risks and challenges which threaten our common
security.
As the Alliance transforms to meet the new threats to our
security, so must the Partnership.
- Today’s meeting was the first EAPC meeting at the
Ministerial level after the Prague Summit of November 2002,
at which Allies decided to upgrade their relations with the
EAPC countries. EAPC Ministers agreed that the Prague meeting
had set the Euro-Atlantic Partnership on course toward the
full adaptation to the requirements of today’s security
environment, in keeping with the evolution of NATO and its
own roles.
- Ministers discussed the current threats to security,
in particular terrorism. They reaffirmed the resolve of their
states to fight this scourge. They exchanged views on the
results
of NATO’s own work in combating terrorism and reflected
on how to further develop the Partnership’s ability
to contribute to, and complement, this effort. They stressed
that
cooperation with countries in Central Asia and the Caucasus
was of key importance. They reaffirmed their commitment to
the implementation of the Partnership Action Plan against
Terrorism and looked forward to further co-operative efforts
in this
framework. They welcomed the ongoing work on the protection
of civilian populations against chemical, biological, radiological
and nuclear agents. They underlined the importance of a broad
approach to security in the work of the EAPC and Partnership
for Peace (PfP).
- Ministers reflected upon the situation in Afghanistan
and implications for Partners of NATO’s new role in
the International Security and Assistance Force. They noted
that many Partners
have already contributed to this operation and that NATO
welcomes their continued role. In this context, they stressed
the importance
of enhanced political consultations on this issue in the
EAPC and the role that Partners, especially those from Central
Asia,
could play in this respect.
- Ministers discussed the progress of, and challenges
to, democratic transformation in the Euro-Atlantic area.
They stressed
that domestic stability, based on democratic institutions
and respect for human rights, is a key condition of lasting
international
stability and security and an important factor in the success
of the fight against terrorism. They agreed that reform of
the defence sector and other institutions related to security
is a key element of the democratic transformation. They reiterated
Allies’ and Partners’ resolve to enhance the
Partnership to better support such reform and contribute
to larger policy
and institutional reforms. They agreed to consult, and exchange
experience, in the EAPC framework, on relevant issues related
to democratic reform.
- EAPC Ministers also reaffirmed the commitment of the
Euro-Atlantic community to peace, security and stability
in the Balkans.
They welcomed the further development of relations between
NATO and Serbia and Montenegro and noted NATO’s decision
to take additional steps to enhance relations with Bosnia and
Herzegovina. They looked forward to these two countries’ future
participation in the EAPC and PfP, once the necessary conditions
had been met.
- Ministers welcomed progress in the implementation of
the Prague Summit guidance on EAPC and PfP especially in
relation
to the Partnership Action Plan against Terrorism and the
Individual Partnership Action Plan. They stressed, however,
that the Prague
decisions provide the framework for the long-term development
of Partnership and that further and continued attention
and commitment would be necessary to appropriately consider
and
develop all elements of this guidance. They reiterated
their full commitment to this endeavour and looked forward
to a report
on the implementation of the Comprehensive Review of EAPC
and PfP, adopted in Prague, at their next meeting in the
Autumn.
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