| 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 Brussels today.
- They welcomed the participation of the Foreign Ministers of Bosnia
and Herzegovina and Serbia and Montenegro as observers in the meeting
and reaffirmed the commitment of the Euro-Atlantic community to peace,
security and stability in the Balkans. Ministers encouraged both countries
to continue to make progress that would allow them to become members
of the Partnership for Peace and the EAPC.
- Ministers discussed the continuing adaptation of Partnership from
the Prague Summit of last year through to the Istanbul Summit next year.
In particular, they focused on the role that the Partnership could play
in responding to the new threats that confronted the international community.
They also discussed the continued and increased participation of Partners
in NATO's new missions - many Partners are currently contributing to
the ISAF mission in Afghanistan and continue to provide valuable contributions
to NATO missions in Bosnia and Herzegovina and Kosovo. Ministers agreed
to deepen practical cooperation to help Partner forces develop important
military capabilities. They also stressed the importance of enhanced
political consultations on Afghanistan in the EAPC framework and emphasized
the role that Partners, especially those from Central Asia, could play
in this regard.
- Ministers reaffirmed their resolve to fight terrorism. They underlined
their commitment to the implementation of the Partnership Action Plan
against Terrorism and welcomed activities undertaken. They also welcomed
further consultations in the EAPC framework on the protection of the
civilian population against WMD incidents and attacks.
- They agreed that the Comprehensive Review of EAPC and PfP launched
at the Prague Summit constituted the essential framework within which
Partnership would continue to evolve. They took note of progress made
in several key areas - such as expanded opportunities for cooperation
introduced through the Individual Partnership Action Plan mechanism
and initiatives undertaken to ensure that the work of the Partnership
is conducted as efficiently as possible.
- Ministers welcomed the call issued by NATO Foreign Ministers at their
meeting the day before for the upcoming Istanbul Summit to build on
progress made at the Prague Summit to further re-focus Partnership for
Peace to better reflect its post-enlargement dimensions and the Alliance’s
focus on new threats. They welcomed the Alliance's objective to promote
a special focus on the strategically important regions of the Caucasus
and Central Asia.
- Ministers reaffirmed that democratic reforms were an important factor
in maintaining security and stability. They agreed that the reform of
the defence structures and other institutions related to security were
important building blocs in undertaking wider democratic transformations.
They underlined that the new Partnership mechanisms agreed at the Prague
Summit provided a framework for the Euro-Atlantic community to support
such endeavours. They reiterated their willingness to consult, and exchange
experience, in the EAPC framework, on relevant issues related to democratic
reform.
- Ministers took note of work underway to develop a NATO policy on
combating the trafficking of women and children, which would apply to
all personnel taking part in NATO-led operations. They welcomed that,
to the maximum extent possible, the development of such a policy and
associated measures would be taken forward with EAPC Partners.
- Finally, Ministers thanked the outgoing Secretary General of NATO
and Chairman of the EAPC for his leadership and pledged their full support
to his successor.
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