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Opening Statement
by the Secretary General
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We meet today at a significant time of transformation
in Alliance history and in European affairs. The tragic war in
Bosnia-Herzegovina has ended, but peace has not yet taken full
root. East-West divisions have disappeared, yet the new security
architecture is still emerging. NATO itself has changed; still, we
must continue its adaptation so as to reflect the Alliance's full
range of missions and to take full advantage of its capabilities.
We also meet at a significant place of transformation:
in the capital of a united Germany and the city that stood for the
success of the Alliances policy and transatlantic cohesion for
over four decades. Its unification is now a symbol of the new era
of partnership and cooperation. Just as Berlin has today become
a symbol for the growing together of this continent, so our
Alliance has taken on the task of doing its part in creating a
stable security structure in the Euro-Atlantic community.
L'OTAN demeure une pierre angulaire de la scurit
euro-atlantique.
En ces temps de rapide changement politique, aucune
alliance ni aucune organisation ne peut se permettre de se
reposer sur ses lauriers. L'Alliance va rester un instrument de
pointe pour la gestion des problmes de scurit de l'Europe.
Pour cela il faut continuer de s'adapter aux nouveaux dfis. Les
dcisions que nous allons prendre ici influeront sur cette
transformation la fois interne et externe de l'OTAN.
Notre Alliance poursuit l'adaptation de ses structures.
Aujourd'hui, nous ferons un pas fondamental par la conclusion
d'un accord pour la mise en oeuvre du concept de Groupes de
forces interarmes multinationales. Nous disposerons ainsi des
moyens de faire face rapidement et efficacement des eventuelles
crises futures. La ralisation de ce concept rendra galement plus
facile l'utilisation de moyens militaires sparables mais non
spars l'appui d'oprations menes par l'Union de l'Europe
occidentale. Notre runion Berlin constituera, ds lors, un jalon
trs important dans l'mergence d'une identit europenne de
scurit et de dfense. Les contours d'une Europe plus forte au
sein d'une solide Alliance atlantique prendront ainsi forme.
Second, we will take stock of our mission in Bosnia-
Herzegovina, as we approach the halfway point of the IFOR
mandate. IFOR has been a resounding success. It is a vivid
demonstration of what can be achieved if the European and
North American Allies act resolutely to pursue shared objectives.
Yet security and stability in Bosnia-Herzegovina are
far from being firmly established. IFOR will face new, difficult
tasks ahead, such as helping to provide the conditions for free
and fair elections in September. These elections will give the
people of Bosnia-Herzegovina their chance to have their say on
their future. IFOR will help ensure that they can make their
choice for peace without fear.
Finally, we will enhance our contribution to security
throughout the Euro-Atlantic area by broadening and deepening
our dialogue and cooperation with Partners within the North
Atlantic Cooperation Council and the Partnership for Peace. We
will reaffirm our commitment to establishing ever closer ties with
Russia. We will also pay special attention to our relation with
Ukraine. Two countries which are of crucial importance for
security and stability in Europe. And we will maintain our
openness to new members through keeping our enlargement
process on track.
This Council, as well as the meeting of the North
Atlantic Cooperation Council tomorrow, demonstrates that this
Alliance remains at the center stage of Euro-Atlantic security.
We are moving ahead with confidence to meet the new challenges
of a transforming era.
Thank you for your attention. This completes the
Opening Session. May I now ask the press to leave the room.
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