Press
Release
(2003)089
29 July 2003
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EU
and NATO agree
concerted approach for the Western Balkans The EU
and NATO have agreed on a concerted approach on security and
stability in the Western Balkans. The EU and NATO partnership
has been key to bringing an end to conflict and stabilising
the region. This document, by outlining our joint strategic
approach, indicates our determination to continue to build
on our common success in working together. I. From Conflict Prevention To Consolidating Stability
- NATO and the EU share a common vision for the
future of the Western Balkans: self-sustaining stability
based on democratic and effective government structures
and a viable free market economy, leading to further rapprochement
towards European and Euro-Atlantic structures.
- Over many years the policy of the International Community
towards the Western
Balkans has been one of conflict prevention and enhancing
stability. The strategic
partnership between the EU and NATO in crisis management
and the close co
operation with other international organisations, inter
alia the UN, OSCE and CoE,
has been key to bringing an end to conflict and stabilising
the region. Peace has been brokered, refugees
are returning and life for many has returned to normal.
Democratic governments are in place and free and fair
elections are becoming the
norm throughout the region.
- While much progress has been made, the task is not
yet complete. The Western Balkans are still characterised
by inter-ethnic tensions including cross-border effects.
Economies are only slowly recovering and the pace of reforms
needs to be accelerated. Organised crime and corruption
bedevil governments and communities. Despite significant
recent successes, some prominent indicted war
criminals are still at liberty supported by criminal
networks. The EU and NATO stress the obligation
of full co-operation with ICTY, which remains an
essential element for progress towards the
EU and NATO. The political scene and state structures
are still marred by the self-serving aspirations
of criminals and extremists, as the assassination
of late Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic depressingly
illustrated. Whereas the responsibility remains with
these countries, the EU and NATO are determined,
within their respective framework, to continue assisting
them in their own efforts to overcome these problems.
- There is still much to be done before the countries
of the region can realise their ambition
of integration into the EU and NATO. Local ownership
is key in this respect, as the necessary
decisions towards this end can only be taken by
the countries themselves.
- The changes in the political and security situation in
the region have consequences
for activities led by the EU and NATO, causing both organisations
to adapt within
their respective frameworks. In addition to its ongoing peace-support
operations, NATO's comprehensive outreach will continue
to include, but need not be limited to,
the Partnership for Peace Programme, the Membership Action
Plan and the provision of assistance in the field
of defence reforms. The EU has a fully integrated approach
through the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) and
will continue
to play a key role in areas related, but not limited, to
security, inter alia through the
European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP).
II. A Framework For An Enhanced Dialogue
- The EU and NATO partnership has been key to bringing
an end to conflict and
stabilising the region. NATO's effective military presence
and the EU's increased
engagement have contributed to strengthening regional security
and continue to do
so. NATO and EU activities are mutually reinforcing as illustrated
by the close cooperation of both organisations over the last
few years. The smooth transition from NATO's Operation "Allied
Harmony" in the former
Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) to Operation "Concordia",
the first EU-led military operation with recourse to NATO
assets and capabilities, is the latest illustration of the
closeness of that co-operation,
further consolidating the concerted approach between NATO
and the EU.
- Regional co-operation is a key element of the Stabilisation
and Association Process, of Partnership for Peace
and of the Stability Pact and will further enhance rapprochement
with the European Union and NATO within their respective frameworks.
III. Core Areas for a Concerted
Approach on Security and Stability in the Region Conflict Prevention and Crisis Management
- Despite the successes of the international community
in addressing recent crisis
situations such as Southern Serbia and the former Yugoslav
Republic of
Macedonia, unresolved issues and the need to further
consolidate stability mean
that there will still be a requirement for the presence
of a military crisis management
capability able to both prevent and contain future crises.
Some returning IDPs will
still need security protection, particularly in Kosovo.
A safe environment in support
of local efforts to put in place the appropriate conditions
for returns is crucial.
- The EU and NATO will continue to consult closely on
the situation in the Western
Balkans and, when crises develop, will work together to
resolve the situation and
restore stability. In those cases where crises continue,
NATO and the EU will
exchange relevant information and keep each other regularly
informed at all levels,
including with regard to possible military options, in
accordance with the
agreements reached between the two organisations.
Defence and Security Sector Reform
- Defence and security sector reform remains a key component
for the countries of
the region to move closer towards the EU and NATO. The
EU's work in this field,
notably on police reform and governance issues, on one
hand, and NATO's work in
this field, notably Partnership for Peace and Membership
Action Plan activities, on
the other, have already changed the security climate for
the better and this work will
continue to evolve. NATO and the EU will continue to work
together in developing
relevant new activities to meet the region's needs.
Strengthening Rule of Law
- There is an urgent need for the countries of the region
to focus more on Justice and
Home Affairs issues, notably strengthening the rule of
law and the judicial system
with a particular focus on combating organised crime, corruption,
illegal migration
and trafficking in human beings, as well as building an
effective and accountable
police force and a robust and independent judiciary. Full
co-operation with ICTY is
also essential for the consolidation of well-functioning
democratic institutions. Work
on tackling organised crime is intensifying and commitments
subscribed to in the
framework of the Areas for Priority Action (APAs) outlined
at the London
Conference on Organised Crime need to be urgently implemented.
Appropriate
instruments must be in place to tackle crime and corruption
at the very highest
levels in society.
The Threat of Terrorism
- Both NATO and the EU should help the countries of the
region prevent any
potential threat of terrorism in the region and enhance
consultations on that matter.
This will involve assisting the countries in developing
appropriate legislation,
combating the financing of terrorist organisations, and
developing police capacity to
deter and combat terrorism.
Border Security and Management
- Our goal is to ensure secure borders to European
Union standards and close co
operation between border control police in the
region, as well as with the military during the transitional
period in specific
parts of the region. The ED, NATO, the OSCE and
the
Stability Pact have been working
jointly, particularly in the context of the May
2003 Ohrid Conference, to develop a coherent and concerted
approach
to border security and management in the Western
Balkans,
especially
in the parts of the region where in exceptional
cases and for temporary reasons military units are deployed.
Arms Control and Removal of Small Arms
- Arms control is an essential instrument of
stabilising
the region. Small arms are
widely available and the focus should continue
on locating illegal weapons caches,
removing weapons from circulation and disrupting
their trafficking throughout the
region. NATO and the EU will continue to consider
mutually reinforcing measures
and targeted programmes in this field, including
by other international organisations.
IV. Ensuring Close Co-Operation
- The EU and NATO will continue to meet regularly
at all levels, including making
optimal use of existing consultation mechanisms
(NAC/PSC, MC/EUMC, PCG/PMG) and, where appropriate, exchange
documents. Security
matters in the
Western Balkans, including their respective
advisory roles, should be a subject of
regular information exchange and mutual briefings
by both organisations. Meetings
could also involve other organisations (e.g.
the UN, the OSCE and the Stability
Pact) when appropriate. Visits to the region,
in particular by NATO SG Lord
Robertson and HR/SG Dr Solana, should be concerted
where possible. Joint
statements by both Secretary-Generals on current
security developments could also
be considered.
Within this framework, NATO and the EU will
continue to explore the scope for further initiatives.
- Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional
name.
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