Acceptance Ceremony for the IPP of the Former Republic of Macedonia 12th June 1996

Council Welcoming Remarks Today, it is my pleasure to welcome the Foreign Minister of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Minister Frckovski, and his delegation. The purpose of this special meeting of the Council is to mark the finalisation of the Individual Partnership Programme - a programme of practical military and defence- related co-operation activities between the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and the Alliance in Partnership for Peace. Your presence here today, Mr. Minister, underlines the importance which your country attaches to PfP and to developing closer links with the Alliance and NATO nations. We welcome your active participation in the Partnership, including the recent decision to join the Planning and Review Process. Your Individual Partnership Programme provides for a very rich programme of cooperation with NATO. It gives priority to training, education and participation in PfP exercises. These joint activities will make a major contribution to achieving the objectives of the Partnership as laid out in the Framework Document and will encourage the development of closer relations between your country and the Alliance. There are now 43 countries, both Allies and Partners, involved in the Partnership. There are, therefore, 43 countries engaged and working together to increase stability and diminish threats to peace on our continent. PfP is a new and unique development, and has already established itself as an important permanent and positive fixture in the European security architecture. Its potential for preparing joint action has already been seen in the Implementation Force in Bosnia, where 13 Partners have joined with Allies in a coalition for peace . IFOR is a model of the new Europe in the making, and PfP is a key foundation stone both of IFOR and of that new Europe. The Partnership provides each country with the opportunity to determine the scope and place of its desired cooperation. Your Individual Partnership Programme reflects the specific objectives of your country for the Partnership and provides a very positive basis for developing our relationship. The NATO Council is pleased to declare its agreement to your Individual Partnership Programme. Assuming that you too, Mr. Minister, can accept it on behalf of your country, the IPP will be ready for implementation. [In this context, let me also point out your countrys participation in the intensified dialogue on NATO enlargement, based on the discussion paper you have just handed over.] Mr. Minister, let me welcome you once more to NATO and I would like to give you the floor. [Intervention by Minister Frckovski] Thank you very much Mr. Minister. The Council has taken careful note of the points you made in your statement and, in particular, of the fact that you have indicated the acceptance of the Individual Partnership Programme by your country's Authorities. Since NATO has approved the IPP and your Authorities have officially accepted it, your Individual Partnership Programme is now ready for implementation. This is indeed a very welcome moment for all of us and I would like to extend my congratulations to you. [Handshake + applause] Mr. Minister, thank you very much for coming personally to convey to the Council the acceptance of your Individual Partnership Programme by your Authorities. I wish you a safe return home. This concludes the meeting.