Secretary General, Excellencies,
Estonia values the PARP as an important instrument in the development
of our defence forces. For the year 2000, Estonia has selected 25
IO-s for implementation in the third PARP cycle. Estonia has also
agreed to implement seven IPG-s. In order to accomplish Estonia's
goal of developing interoperable forces and moving towards the membership
of the alliance the IO-s, IPG-s and future PG-s will in principal
be implemented force-wide. We will maintain our active participation
in the PARP process and develop the forces according to priority areas,
which are:
- Command, Control and Communication;
- Logistics;
- English Language Training.
In drawing up concrete IO and IPG implementation plans Estonia enjoys
a good co-operation with several NATO countries, particularly with
Denmark. Denmark's assistance is also provided to Latvia and Lithuania
thus further bolstering Baltic defence co-operation.
Estonia welcomes the fact that through the MAP-related PGs the extended
and adapted PARP will assume a central role in the defence-related
part of the MAP process.
This Ministerial Guidance, a thorough and well-balanced document,
will establish a practical basis for applicants' planning for future
article 5 responsibilities. As to better encompass the alliance's
needs MAP-related PG-s will also allow us to better steer our integration
process through amending our 5-year goals specified in the second
chapter of the Annual National Programme. Here I would like to extend
my sincerest thanks to those NATO countries that helped us in the
work with the ANP. Your sound advice helped us to compile a balanced
and comprehensive set of goals.
We welcome the prioritisation of PG-s, which, in the light of ever
too meagre resources, allows partner country to better utilise and
direct the finances and to prepare for NATO-led peace support operation
and, if we are talking about a MAP country, for membership obligations.
Secretary General,
Let me conclude with saying that Estonia is eagerly looking forward
to the qualitative step forward in the PARP and MAP processes - the
release and subsequent force-wide implementation of PG-s.
Thank you
