Council in Ministerial Session 16 Dec. 1997

Statement by Mr. Ismail Cem, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkey Internal and External Adaptation and Bosnia-Herzegovina Mr. Chairman, I welcome the progress in adopting the Alliance to the new security environment and in shaping NATO as a foundation for the development of a European security structure. The backbone of our success will continue to be Allied solidarity and cohesion as reflected in our common commitment to our core functions, collective defence and the maintenance of a strong transatlantic link. We have as well covered substantial ground in the internal adaptation of our Alliance. The breakthrough realised in the new command structure of our Alliance earlier this month which provided us with the necessary framework for our future work has been a success for all. Yet there is important work ahead of us. We hope that common sense will prevail, and shortsighted domestic agendas will not deprive the Alliance from developing the new command structure. Finally, the review of our strategic concept will be one of the major tasks of the Alliance during the following months. The strategic concept as adopted in 1991 stood the test of time in an ever changing environment. We therefore believe that our job should be to adapt it to the present international security environment. We also believe the basic tenets of the strategic concept should be maintained. We have stated our determination to enhance stability and security in the Euro-Atlantic region together with our Partners. Our evolving relations with Russia, Ukraine and other Partner countries are solid expressions of our determination to this end. Recognizing that security in the Euro-Atlantic region is closely linked with security and stability in the Mediterranean and that the Mediterranean dimension is a crucial component of the European security architecture, we look forward to further developing our Mediterranean initiative. Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery means, which continue to pose a direct risk to the Alliance, is among the foremost of new risks and challenges we face. We believe that we should be ambitious in our efforts within the Alliance to counter this serious risk. International terrorism and related issues such as illicit trafficking of arms constitute yet another important threat to stability and security and affect Alliance security interests. Regretfully, some countries continue to consider and use terrorism as a tool in their foreign policies. We have repeatedly condemned all acts of international terrorism and stressed the need for the most effective cooperation possible. However, we have not done much to implement our deeds. Therefore the Council should prepare a report, in consultation with our partners, on how to address this need. We welcome the successful conclusion of the accession talks with the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland and the arrangements for preparing them for NATO membership. I would like to reiterate our support to NATO's open door policy under article 10 of the North Atlantic Treaty as we declared in Madrid. Turkey in this regard supports the aspirations and requests of Southeastern European countries, in particular Romania and Bulgaria. Mr. Chairman, The Alliance has attained a large degree of success in its mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The full implementation of the Dayton Peace Agreement is crucial for the region and also for the maintenance of Alliance's credibility. Bosnia and Herzegovina is also a unique test case for joint peace initiatives by NATO and the Russian Federation. Any future interventions of a similar nature which may be called for in response to major challenges to peace and stability would depend in large measure upon demonstrable Alliance success in Bosnia and Herzegovina in its current mission. The maintenance of peace and stability in Bosnia is also crucial for preventing any escalation of instability and conflict to Kosovo and Sanjak, and even the whole of the Balkans. In view of these considerations, an appropriate formula should be devised to allow NATO to continue its mission beyond June 1998. No party should question Bosnia and Herzegovina's survival as a single, democratic, multi-ethnic and multi-cultural state. We should also demonstrate beyond doubt that the provision of support to the radical elements in Republika Srpska is not in the best interests of Serbia. Bringing the war criminals to justice would convey our resolve over Bosnia and discourage the aspirations of the radicals. The return of displaced persons and refugees is another area where speedy progress would contribute to the overall normalization of the situation. We welcome the long term program on "Security Cooperation with Bosnia and Herzegovina" initiated by the Secretary General. We would like to underline that the term "security" should not be considered in its narrow military sense, but in the broader, more political context. While recognizing that the initial set of security cooperation activities endorsed by the Defence Ministers is distinct from Partnership for Peace, we believe that it should contribute to and hold out the possibility of Bosnia's eventual membership in PfP. In this context we also welcome the progress made with the Standing Committee on Military Matters and consider this also a vehicle for Bosnia to get access to PfP. Finally, we also welcome the initiation of the planning work on the various military options, without commitment, for the continuation of NATO's mission beyond 1998. To conclude, Mr. Chairman, I would like to extend to you our appreciation for your able guiding role in our work and reiterate our readiness to contribute in the most positive way to our common endeavours.