EAPC Defence Ministers Meeting HQ-NATO 3 Dec 1999

Statement by Federal Councillor Ogi Mr. Secretary General, dear Colleagues, We all deplore that war has once again become reality in South-East Europe this year. It was the common international effort that brought light into the darkness of ethnic hatred and atrocities in this region in Europe. Due to NATO's swift and decisive reaction the situation is now definitely improving. However, enormous tasks lie still ahead and require a strong international military presence. Security, stability and prosperity can only be achieved if the different nations and ethnic groups agree to live together in mutual acceptance. For the first time Switzerland has sent troops to a NATO-led PfP Operation. It was, for us, an important decision. Yet it was also a logical decision based on values and concepts my country has defended for a long time. From the beginning of the crisis in the Balkans, Switzerland was actively involved. We have significantly contributed to the humanitarian and reconstruction efforts. We are hosts to many refugees from the region. About 150'000 Kosovars were already resident in Switzerland when, between March and July this year, some 60'000 Kosovars fled to our country. This brought the figure up to 210'000 Kosovars staying in Switzerland. During the refugee crisis in and around Kosovo the Swiss armed forces provided a helicopter unit to the UNHCR and made significant quantities of equipment and humanitarian aid available. By sending troops to KFOR this summer my country also accepted its share in the task of creating a secure environment, without which lasting peace in the Balkans is impossible. When we met last time I informed you about my Government's White Paper on the future Swiss security policy, entitled "Security through Co-operation". Sending troops to Kosovo is an illustration of this policy outlined in the White Paper. My government is to continue on this road. There are still many obstacles on that road, but I am confident that we can overcome them. We want to be able to contribute actively to peace support operations under a mandate of the UN Security Council or the OSCE. The deployment of the Swiss unit to the Kosovo went smoothly. The co-operation with NATO, Germany, Austria and all other nations involved is excellent. But we also face practical challenges that have to be met day after day. Therefore, reading your report, Mr. Secretary General, I fully agree that measures are needed to be better prepared for future emergencies. Switzerland shares the recommendations as to EMOP implementation as well as the PARP Ministerial Guidance. The Operational Capabilities Concept on our table today is an excellent outline for this work. I assure you, that my country will make its contribution to implementing it. Together with PARP, the Operational Capabilities Concept will be crucial for the preparation of our own armed forces for Peace Support Operations. I am aware that the Concept will not become reality over night. It will need time and resources. In building the capability to react faster and better we will also need additional training and education for our troops. Indeed, we should not forget that in Peace Support Operations the performance of the single soldier and the small unit are often decisive for success. Switzerland already contributes to training and education in many areas. Switzerland will seek to increase its contribution in the military field. The flagship of our educational efforts - I hope you allow this word to a Minister of a country without access to the seas - is the Geneva Centre for Security Policy. It was among the first PfP Training Centres to be certified by the North Atlantic Council earlier this year. With its status of an international foundation it is well prepared to play a role in the further development of the Partnership. Many of you know the Centre well or have even been involved in its work. I take the opportunity of our meeting to circulate to you a documentation on the Centre's recent and ongoing activities. Switzerland supports, moreover, the PfP Consortium of Defence Academies and Security Studies Institutes which will meet next week in Sofia. We are pleased that substantial progress could be made in this important initiative. Our Bulgarian colleague will present you with the relevant information. Let me just add that we also actively support the Baltic Defence College. Mr. Secretary General, dear colleagues, why does education and a free mind - as promoted by the Geneva Centre, the Consortium or the Baltic Defence College, and by the Partnership for Peace in general - play such an important role for security in Europe? It is because every change for the better begins in peoples' minds and brains. Thank you for your attention.