At the Ministerial Meeting of the Euro- Atlantic Partnership Council 17 Dec. 1997

Statement by Dr. Benita Ferrero-Waldner State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Austria Previous speakers have already underlined the overall importance of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council created only a few months ago in Sintra. Austria appreciates that the EAPC now provides all 44 partners from North-America, Europe and Central Asia with a comprehensive multilateral forum for dialogue and consultations, including the possibility of direct relations between the Alliance and individual partners or a group of partner countries. The constructive spirit which prevailed during the joint deliberations on the "EAPC-Action Plan 1998 - 2000" and the other documents before us is indicative of the fact that all partners around this table are willing to fill these new structures with life and substance. We welcome the agenda set out in the action plan and are looking forward to the work ahead. The months to come will provide ample opportunities to test the newly created partnership structures; I am confident that the practice-oriented approach that underpins our common work will prove its merits. The Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council is, of course, also important as the institutional framework for the enhanced Partnership for peace in the military field. In fact, the multinational peace operation in Bosnia has already provided us with valuable experiences beyond the original military PfP aims. Based on the principle of self-differentiation, the enhanced Partnership now gives partners who so desire the possibility to move towards co-operation and interoperability in the entire field of peace support operations. Before saying a few words on the future of this operation from an Austrian perspective, it is worth recalling the main lessons already to be learned. First, the experience of the peace operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina underlines that fully functioning European security structures cannot be designed on a drawing board, but are based on a division of labour between the existing organisations. Second, it demonstrates how valuable this co-operation and NATO capabilities are - especially as regards strategic reconnaissance and telecommunications - for the success of European crisis management. Austria is therefore glad that the recent EAPC meeting of defence ministers and yesterdays ministerial meeting of the North Atlantic Council addressed the issue of full implementation of the Berlin decisions. Third, this mission provides a tangible example of what the new NATO is about. The military potential that NATO has developed in the interest of its core functions in the field of collective defence has been put to use in the biggest peace support operation in post-war European history. All in all, these lessons underline that the transatlantic partnership remains essential for the security of Europe. Mr. Chairman, you have put the future of the multinational peace mission in Bosnia and Herzegovina on today's agenda. Austria remains concerned that the civilian efforts to lay the foundations for lasting peace are still lagging behind the achievements of the international community in the military field. It remains a fact that durable political solutions can only come from within. However, the results of the recent Peace Implementation Conference in Bonn have shown, once again, that there is no alternative to the peace process as already laid out. As the High Representative put it in Bonn and before the EAPC a few days ago, it is too early to contemplate an exit strategy; rather, long term involvement and commitment is needed, including in the military field but also as to civilian peace-building. Austria shares the view of other partners around this table that the peace process in Bosnia will need a stabilising military presence for some time to come. Austria is prepared to continue to contribute to a multinational follow-on peace operation in a spirit of solidarity. This being said, we are aware that new forms of transatlantic burden sharing may have to be found in the longer term. In this context, we should also study the role the Western European Union might possibly play in its dual function as an integral part of the development of the Union and as a means to strengthen the European pillar of the Atlantic Alliance. I am convinced that we shall only be able to cope with these major tasks if we understand that the security of Europe is indivisible and requires common efforts of every partner around this table, independently of what his past experience, present status and future perspectives in the field of European security may be. Before concluding, let me briefly refer to yesterdays signing of the accession protocols by the Alliance and the three candidate countries. As a country at the heart of the region where all these developments are taking place, Austria is following the enlargement process very closely; a process, which in our view exemplifies the process of shaping a new NATO. It is also important that the door of the Alliance will stay open. This is a significant signal for all countries, and we interpret this as an invitation extended to all European countries to seek closer co-operation with the Alliance to the degree they desire. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.