Signing Ceremony of the NATO-Russia Founding Act, Paris, 27 May 1997

Secretary General's Remarks

Monsieur le Prsident Chirac, Monsieur le Prsident Eltsine, Mesdames et Messieurs, (22 Kb) Aujourd'hui, je suis particulirement heureux de pouvoir affirmer devant vous que nos efforts ont port leurs fruits. Ainsi, depuis Paris, nos regards peuvent rsolument se tourner vers le vingt et unime sicle. Vers la vision d'une Europe unie et libre, prospre et stable. Personnellement, je nourris l'espoir sincre que les gnrations futures profiteront du courage et de la vision dont ont fait preuve les dirigeants de l'OTAN et de la Russie en ouvrant un chapitre nouveau dans l'histoire de leurs relations. Certes, des changements aussi radicaux ncessitent de l'audace. Mais comment, dans l'environnement de scurit de demain, imaginer une nouvelle Russie et une nouvelle OTAN autrement que partenaires? Aujourd'hui, la signature de l'acte fondateur OTAN-Russie jette les bases de ce partenariat. Par-del la rhtorique des intentions, ce texte cre de vritables mcanismes conjoints de consultation, de coopration, de coordination et d'action conjointe dans tous les domaines d'intrt commun touchant notre scurit. Le dbut de ce nouveau chapitre de la scurit euro-atlantique est crit et sera scell solennellement dans quelques minutes; la fin en reste ouverte et dpendra de nous, de notre imagination, de notre aptitude nous prendre mutuellement au srieux et de notre capacit nous faire confiance. L'acte fondateur reprsente un succs pour la Russie, pour l'Alliance et pour la communaut euro-atlantique tout entire. Il respecte la souverainet des nations, y compris leur droit de dterminer leurs propres arrangements de scurit. Notre accord repose sur la conviction que tous les pays sans exception peuvent bnficier de la nouvelle architecture europenne de scurit que nous cherchons btir. Vous avez devant vous aujourd'hui le rsultat de nombreuses heures de ngociations approfondies. Mais, aussi franches et intenses fussent-elles, ces ngociations se sont toujours droules dans une atmosphre construcutive. Presidents, Ministers, Excellencies Ladies and gentlemen, (21 Kb) The vision and leadership of President Yeltsin have been truly instrumental to the success of this process. For me, it has been a great privilege to share this task with Yevgeny Primakov, who has defended Russian interests vigorously but always fairly. Minister Primakov, as well as his skilled negotiating team, deserve every tribute I can give. These long rounds of discussions have in themselves helped a great deal in the process of forming mutual understanding and respect. Our work was inspired by the clear conviction that both Russia and NATO, can only gain from becoming real partners and cooperating in the new security environment. A daily reminder of this is Bosnia, where Russian soldiers stand shoulder to shoulder with their comrades from NATO and other countries, in an effort to bring lasting peace to a war-torn region. Last december I was entrusted with the challenging task of representing NATO in these negotiations. I have been aided in my efforts by the clarity of the mandate given to me by the Allies, by their staunch support and by their rapid response to the negotiating process. NATO, both collectively and with the support of individual Allies, has acted in its best traditions. It has been coherent, effective and visionary in pursuit of this historic moment. May I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude and that of all those who hae shared the responsibility of this negotation for all the support we have been given. The task ahead is clear: to give life to this document by making full use of the newly created opportunities. The Atlantic Alliance, for her part, is determined to embark on a far-reaching partnership that will help to leave behind the divisions of Europe for good. This is not just a vision. This will be a practical guide to our policy as we step across the threshold of the new century. Si vous voulez bien, nous allons maintenant procder la signature de l'Acte Fondateur sur les Relations, la Coopration et la Scurit Mutuelles entre l'Organisation du Trait de l'Atlantique Nord et la Fdration de Russie. [Signatures followed by speeches by Heads of State and government in protocol order] Presidents, Ministers, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Our signatures have just sealed a historic document. These pages will, that is our sincere hope, form a bridge towards a new relationship between NATO and Russia that leaves behind the vicissitudes of the past and looks towards the future. Let us walk it together.