Opening of the ministerial meeting of the NACC/ Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) Sintra, Portugal 30 May 1997

Statement by Ambassador Onur ymen Under-secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Turkey

Mr. Chairman, A few moments ago, NATO Allies and their partners have decided to advance their cooperation within a new structure, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council (EAPC). We regard this as another historic milestone in our joint efforts towards a peaceful, prosperous and undivided Euro-Atlantic Area. As reflected in the EAPC basic document, the new cooperative mechanism will retain the basic tenets that have been instrumental in the success of both NACC and PfP. The EAPC and the Partnership for Peace in its enhanced form will now be the basis of a dynamic and evolving Euro-Atlantic security system. This will provide for expanded political consultations and practical cooperation in many areas, including proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and terrorism. Turkey has committed herself to widen and deepen her relations with partner countries. In this context, we attach particular importance to the more operational role of the enhanced PfP. We have already decided in principle to create a multinational unit, which will be used for possible peace support operations. Our military authorities will develop the modalities of this project in consultation with the partners concerned. Furthermore, Turkey is planning to establish a PfP training center, which will contribute to achieving peace and stability in our region. Our confidence in the success of these joint efforts towards peace and stability is based upon the highly successful performance of the partners up to now, not only in PfP exercises but also in real life situations such as IFOR and SFOR. This proven unity of purpose and common commitment to the same goals should also guide us in furthering the integration process in Europe. Mr. Chairman, I would be remiss, if I did not touch upon the very legitimate aspirations of our partners for an eventual membership in NATO. In the course of last year we had enough opportunities to make our views on NATO enlargement clear to our allies as well as to our partners. We firmly believe that no European nation which could contribute to our common security and meet the criteria stated in article 10 of the NATO Charter should be denied the perspective of NATO membership. In conclusion, we are looking forward to the EAPC becoming fully operational and tackling issues of vital importance to our partners. This will put in place firmly one of the key building blocks of the future security system. We are confident that it will be complemented by the wise decisions to be taken at the Madrid Summit with a view to furthering the enlargement process.