Meeting of the Euro- Atlantic Partnership Council In Foreign Ministers Session Brussels 17 Dec. 1997

Intervention of Dr. Valdis Birkavs Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Latvia Mr. Chairman, This autumn we have begun to see how the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council represents a positive evolution in the relationship between Partners and Allies. It offers result-oriented consultations and enhanced practical cooperation as set out in the EAPC Action Plan for 1998-2000, which is fully supported by Latvia. I would like to look at one part of EAPC's work, namely its regional dimension. The experience gained during these past months indicate that the process should not be an artificial one. It should continue to be demand driven and rest on the foundations of the Alliance, which ties Europe's security to the Transatlantic. We welcome the recent decision on the PSE implementation concept, which authorises incorporation of Partner Staff Elements into the NATO command structure at Mons and the regional headquarters. We hope to make maximum use of this privilege, and look forward to the time when the sub-regional level will also be opened to partner staff elements. That would be a practical sign of NATO's interest in strengthening regional cooperation on the EAPC area. However, we in Latvia are also keen to see NATO officers contribute with their experience and knowledge in Partner countries. This would mirror the experience gained by our officers. It could provide a more efficient planning of PfP operations. It is currently envisaged that this planning will take place at NATO HQ and in the PSEs, allowing for Partner countries to participate with the skill and experience of their officers. But the success of PfP, the success of every exercise or activity depends on planning in national capitals. This is where the reciprocity, by way of NATO officers contributing with a presence in Partner countries, would be of value. Given the strong regional cooperation that has developed around the Baltic Sea, let me mention a few aspects of this cooperation which are being further enhanced. Last week, new agreements relating to the existing Baltic Peace keeping battalion (BALTBAT) and the Baltic Naval squadron (BALTRON) were signed in Tallinn. These are projects which illustrate the deep and constructive potential for regional co-operation. They tie in with the joint air space initiative, BALTNET and the proposed joint Defence College, BALTDEFCOL. These projects are jointly coordinated under the auspices of a programme called BALTSEA. The Council of the Baltic Sea States is a forum that can contribute to greater stability and cooperation in the Baltic area. It is developing further as a viable vehicle for discussions on civic security including racketeering, narcotics trafficking, and smuggling. Indeed, the Special CBSS Task Force to fight organised crime will report its findings at next month's CBSS meeting of Heads of Government in Riga. Civic security issues are where the EAPC and CBSS meet. A wider exchange of information between the two fora could therefore be useful. It might even be productive to invite the CBSS Chairman-in-Office to report occasionally to the EAPC. Of course both the EAPC and Partnership-for-Peace contribute significantly to security work in the Baltic Sea area. PfP exercises in our region are an effective way of encouraging regional contact, cooperation and trust. Just this last September, Latvia hosted the PfP exercise "Co-operative Best Effort" and we hope this successful example can be used again. EAPC could further discuss defence policy and strategy issues, which were already being looked at in the NACC. Crisis management is another area offering potential. The proposal by Russia to enhance the Euro-Atlantic capacity for disaster preparedness deserves support as it can also serve as a building block for increased confidence through practical cooperation. We welcome the US-Swedish initiative on Defence Environmental cooperation that was presented here two weeks ago. The CCMS project on conversion and cleaning of military bases in the Latvian port of Liepaja has stimulated enthusiastic interest and could be more effectively pursued with the support of countries in the region. Let me just add that Latvia is now preparing for the Intensified Dialogue sessions which we would like to continue early next year. We trust that the experience gained from the accession process of the three invited countries will further enrich our dialogue with the Alliance. In closing, I would like to congratulate our Czech, Hungarian and Polish friends with the signature of their accession protocols. We hope that the process of ratification proceeds as smoothly as the accession talks. After all, these important steps pave the way and serve as a road map for further enlargement. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.