Propos
du Secrtaire gnral, Dr. Javier Solana
Madame Wrner,
Messieurs les Ambassadeurs,
Mesdames et Messieurs,
De temps autre, on me demande de dire quel est l'lment le plus
important de notre nouvelle Alliance. Je rponds immdiatement que
c'est la prsence et la participation permanentes de nos Partenaires
diffrents niveaux et dans diffrentes activits de l'Alliance.
Notre crmonie d'aujourd'hui en est la preuve. Nous inaugurons en
effet un nouveau btiment du sige de l'Alliance destin aux pays
partenaires - nos collgues au Conseil de partenariat euro-atlantique
- et leurs missions respectives.
Tout d'abord, permettez-moi de dire un mot tous ceux qui, grce
leurs efforts sans relche, ont rendu ce jour possible.
Mes remerciements vont en particulier au Bureau de l'administration
gnrale et de la gestion et au Bureau de scurit de l'OTAN, qui ont
accompli un magnifique travail en coordonnant ce projet avec les pays
partenaires. Transformer et prparer en vue de son occupation un
btiment de 4.000 mtres carrs dans un laps de temps trs court
n'est pas tche aise. Bientt, ce btiment accueillera 21
dlgations de pays partenaires. Il abritera aussi, dsormais,
plusieurs services de l'OTAN.
Et, le moment venu, y seront installs les bureaux du nouveau Centre
euro-atlantique de coordination des ractions en cas de catastrophe,
ainsi que ceux de l'Elment d'tat-major du Partenariat pour la paix
l'Etat-major militaire international de l'OTAN.
Mais, au-del de ces ralisations matrielles considrables, je
voudrais voquer brivement la signification politique de la
crmonie d'aujourd'hui.
Depuis qu'en 1991, lorsque les pays allis et les pays partenaires
ont cr le Conseil de coopration nord-atlantique, nous sommes unis
par un destin commun. Nous sommes vritablement engags dans la
construction d'une nouvelle communaut euro-atlantique o tous nos
pays peuvent mettre en commun leurs contributions la paix et la
stabilit sur ce continent. Ce btiment symbolise tout ce que les
pays de l'OTAN et les pays partenaires ont accompli pour construire
un Partenariat authentique.
Il a fallu, pour crer ce Partenariat, faire preuve d'une grande
vision, d'nergie et de dtermination. A ce propos, je tiens rendre
hommage la remarquable contribution apporte par l'un des hommes
d'Etat les plus dous de notre temps : l'ancien Secrtaire gnral de
l'Alliance, le regrett Manfred Wrner, dont ce btiment porte le
nom.
Manfred Wrner inspired us with his insight and its enthusiasm. He
recognised that, with the collapse of the Berlin Wall, an era ended
and a new inclusive security order in Europe became possible.
He was, at heart and in his mind, a true believer in NATO. He
recognised the Alliance's rich political potential. Under his
guidance, the Alliance grasped the opportunity of change. He ably
steered NATO into the wider role of promoting stability and security
across the Euro-Atlantic area. He prepared the ground for the
founding of the North Atlantic Coordination Council in 1991.
And at the 1994 Brussels Summit he launched the Partnership for
Peace. His untimely death did not unfortunately, allow for him to see
these projects come to full fruition. Imagine his satisfaction at
what we have accomplished since then!
The Partnership for Peace has become the flagship of our practical
cooperation. It is the largest cooperative programme of its kind
that Europe has ever seen. It is no exaggeration to say that
Partnership for Peace is truly historic, a defining feature of the
new security order in Europe.
Last year, with the enhancement of the Partnership and the
establishment the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, we have moved
further still, creating new opportunities for political
consultations, for exploring new ways, new ideas, for extending and
consolidating our common, cooperative approach to security.
But what would have wonderfully pleased Manfred Wrner is what we
have done together in Bosnia with the Implementation Force and the
Stabilisation Force. Each day Allies and Partners are working side
by side to secure a lasting peace in a bloody, war-torn region.
At the Brussels Summit in January 1994, Manfred Wrner made an
emotional appeal to Partner countries: "We shall not leave you
alone. Your security is of direct and material concern to us."
This truth is as valid today, as it was four years ago. The only
difference is that "your security" has been replaced by "our"
security. We are all truly in a Partnership, and one that knows no
bounds.
I am confident that these new premises which we inaugurate today will
help enhance this development. It is therefore only fitting to name
this building in the memory of Manfred Wrner.
And to Elfie Wrner. Let us provide the deep satisfaction to her
that we will forge ahead - with the same determination and
enthusiasm of her late husband - to build real security and stability
throughout the Euro-Atlantic area. That should be our tribute to his
memory.
Thank you.
|