Meeting of the Euro- Atlantic Partnership Council in Defence Ministers Session Brussels, 13 June 1997

Statement by H.E Stanislaw Dobrzaski Minister of National Defence of the Republic of Poland

When Defence Ministers of NACC states met for the first time in April 1992 they could not have foreseen the scope and variety of forms of co-operation that were to be achieved in just five years. From today's perspective we can justifiably say that the magnitude and volume of the co-operation are very impressive. We know that the challenges that lie ahead are serious and achieving the assumed objectives will only be possible with full concentration on priorities. However, the results we have achieved so far in the framework of PfP clearly indicate that there is willingness and a good atmosphere for co-operation. Therefore it is essential that we take advantage of these favourable conditions. So much has happened in recent months that it would take too long just to name the most important events. There is no doubt that many issues assumed quite new proportions after the historic Ministerial Meeting at NAC in December 1996 where the date and site for the summit at which new members would be invited were determined. The consistent policy of the Allies has brought fruit in the form of the historic documents negotiated with Russia and Ukraine. We hope that utilising the possibilities contained in them will permanently and significantly anchor those two great and important states in the Euro-Atlantic environment, our common natural home. The recent Ministerial meeting in Sintra on 29-30 May brought another great event - we created the Euro-Atlantic Co-operation Council and decided to enhance the PfP process introducing additional mechanisms to intensify the involvement of partner countries in the planning, decision-making and implementation process. In general, we note with great satisfaction efforts by the Allies to satisfy wide-ranging expectations of many different Partners. In this context we particularly commend NAC decisions concerning both an elaboration of a comprehensive programme for practical preparations for prospective new members and an ambitious offer for strengthened partnership. Poland is vitally interested in enhancing PfP to build stable foundations for a peaceful future. We strongly support Military Committee Concept on PFP Enhancement. Our present participation is extensive - our IPP '97 contains 460 events and we are simultaneously engaged in rich bilateral programmes and numerous unplanned activities. In the second cycle of PARP we have made available considerable forces, mostly ground troops: 3 division headquarters and 3 brigade HQ's and 14 operational battalions. Our practical commitment to the broad goals of Partnership is well illustrated by the tasks performed by our forces as part of the Nordic - Polish Brigade in SFOR. Making our best efforts to contribute to overall objectives of Joint Endeavour we have decided to designate our units for the concept of Strategic Reserve as requested by the SFOR Commander. The process of peace - building in Bosnia - Herzegovina is far from being complete. In this context allow me Mr. Chairman to associate Polish position with the sobering analysis of the tasks ahead contained in yesterday's NAC Communiqu. We have been systematically increasing the number of officers and civilian employees involved in matters of co-operation with NATO. In December last year we established a new department in the Ministry of National Defence which has significantly improved our integration with NATO. We are planing to increase the strength of our personnel in our offices in Brussels and Mons. We are interested in sending our officers to Partnership Staff Elements and we intend to earmark a group of staff officers to participate in CJTF operations but as we understand we have to wait for our friends from NATO to work out details of the concept. I would like once again to return to our co-operation. I want to take this opportunity Mr Chairman, to thank you and all your colleagues from the International Staff, the International Military Staff and commanders at all levels of command for all the support which has made this success possible. I would like also to thank all the partners with whom we are building a better future in our bilateral relations. Thank you for your attention.