Statement
to the Press
by Secretary
General, Lord Robertson,
following Meetings of the NAC Foreign Ministers
Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,
 We
have just finished a very full range of discussions among NATO Foreign
Ministers.
We focused on 4 key topics:
- the development of the European Security and Defence Identity in
the Alliance;
- our Alliance's approach to the proliferation of the ballistic missile
threat;
- the situation in the Balkans, and, in particular, the progress of
our KFOR mission in Kosovo and SFOR mission in Bosnia;
- and finally, the situation in and around Chechnya.
First, the European Security and Defence Identity. We were pleased to
have Javier Solana with us this morning who briefed us on the outcome
of the EU summit in Helsinki last weekend. Indeed this morning we had
a lively and very constructive discussion among Ministers on ESDI. We
all agree that NATO's Washington Summit and the EU Summit in Helsinki
give us a solid foundation on which to build ESDI within the Alliance.
As you know, I have put forward my "three I's" which I see
as the key to the way ahead. ESDI must achieve: improvements in European
defence capabilities; inclusiveness of all the non-EU NATO Allies in our
common efforts and the indivisibility of the translatlantic link.
In particular, the EU's Headline Goals for its future military requirements
are encouraging. The European Allies have identified the crucial capabilities
they will need for ESDI to operate effectively. But they must deliver
on these commitments. Intentions are very good and new institutions are
very useful. But it is results that count. ESDI will be judged first and
foremost by the capabilities that it delivers to the EU and to the Alliance.
As the EU moves towards setting up its new structures, it will be essential
to ensure maximum transparency and complementarity with NATO. This morning
we heard from the Portuguese Foreign Minister that the Portuguese EU Presidency
will make proposals to achieve these objectives. For our part, we will
see how NATO's assets and planning can be made readily available to the
EU to support its operation.
Our second discussion was on the proliferation of the ballistic missile
threat.
In this connection, we had a presentation by the United States.
 We
followed this up by a discussion over lunch. We reaffirmed the basic principles
on which NATO's effectiveness has always rested; our solidarity, a credible
deterrence and strategic stability. The United States assured the Allies
that it will only take decisions on a national missile defence after full
consultations within NATO.
Our third topic was Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina and the situation in the
Balkans. The Chairman of the Military Committee, Admiral Venturoni, and
SACEUR, General Clark, briefed us on the latest developments. We focused
on our key tasks for the next six months in bringing greater stability
to Kosovo and in developing our Southeast Europe Initiative for the region
as a whole.
We agreed that KFOR has made good progress exactly six months after it
first entered Kosovo to bring peace to the province. We are helping the
United Nations Administration to rebuild Kosovo, to improve law and order
and the fight against crime, and to establish the basis for a functioning
economy and society. But we also know that there are some tough challenges
ahead. In our meeting this morning we discussed those challenges frankly
and without illusions.
I once again urged Ministers to devote the critical resources to the
United Nations and to the Kosovo Protection Corps necessary for success.
Those resources are small but they will make all the difference between
success and failure in Kosovo. We will hear more on this subject tomorrow
when the UN Special Representative Bernard Kouchner will brief the Euro-Atlantic
Partnership Council.
In this regard, I would like to welcome the agreement announced by Dr.
Kouchner earlier today on the establishment of a new "Joint Interim
Administrative Structure" for Kosovo. I would urge the Serbs in Kosovo
to ensure that their representative takes his rightful place in this new
administrative structure as soon as possible.
A final word on Chechnya.
In the last few days we have urged Russia to exercise restraint, to stop
its disproportionate attacks and its threats against the civilian population,
particularly in Grozny.
We have now some more encouraging signs that both sides are willing to
start a dialogue. We hope that Russia will heed the signals that have
been sent by many NATO governments over the last few days. It is essential
that a political dialogue with Chechnen authorities begin very shortly.
We call on Russia to meet all the commitments it made to the OSCE at the
recent Istanbul Summit.
This was the last NATO Ministerial this century. The quality of our discussions
today and the unity that we have shown have left NATO in excellent shape
for the many challenges that we will be facing at the start of the new
millennium. Let there be no doubt: there will be challenges to our security
in the years ahead: This Alliance will remain the best and the strongest
response to those challenges. We must keep it strong and keep it capable.
And we will.
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