Address
of
Secretary
of State of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia,
Maris Riekstins
Mr. Chairman,
As an active partner of the Alliance, Latvia is committed to grasping
opportunities and meeting challenges that are offered through means of
cooperation. What are the specific challenges and opportunities that have
emerged in the light of the Kosovo crisis?
I will start with the challenges. First, Latvia considers that the crisis
posed a challenge to the Alliance that was successfully addressed. The
decision to become involved out of Alliance's territory, but in Europe,
when the specific circumstances demand involvement, was justified. It
illustrated that NATO was also able to meet the parallel challenge of
maintaining unity.
Second, there now remains the major challenge to win the peace. The burden
has now shifted from across the Atlantic to Europe. The events have exposed
the other issues that relate to improving capabilities and seeking greater
demands from European members of the Alliance as well as aspiring members,
such as Latvia. It is a challenge itself, because Europe needs to develop
its capacities in a way that strengthens the transatlantic link.
Moreover, the Kosovo crisis presented us with several opportunities.
First, our involvement with NATO and practical mechanisms of cooperation
gave Latvia the opportunity to contribute in practice, thus complementing
Latvia's political support for NATO actions in Kosovo. Though we are not
a neighbor of this troubled region, Latvia realizes that instability in
any part of Europe means a responsibility for all the democratic countries
throughout the continent. We sent humanitarian aid for the refugees and
medical support for AFOR. We have a team of de-mining experts ready to
participate in KFOR.
Second, it presented us with an opportunity for a deeper public debate
of NATO's role in the security system of the continent. Latvia participated
in crisis management in Kosovo and our society was able to take a closer
interest in issues that affect European security. At the end of the day
support for Latvia's membership in NATO was greater after the Kosovo crisis,
than before.
Thirdly, one of the most important opportunities the Kosovo crisis prompted
is development of capacity to contribute to NATO crisis management. Among
Latvia's top priorities is to become a reliable ally to meet the needs
of Kosovo today and other crises in the future. Crisis management is also
one of the major objectives in our Membership Action Plan.
PfP also has mechanisms working towards this end. The Operational Capabilities
Concept will help us to advance our ability to operate with Allies in
future NATO-led operations. It will thereby bolster our membership aspirations.
Latvia is following developments within the Defense Capabilities Initiative
(DCI) to ensure that our defense planning corresponds with the process
taking place in the Alliance. We consider that it is important also for
partner countries to align themselves with this initiative.
Mr. Chairman,
Although our discussions have been concentrating on the Kosovo crisis,
along with other colleagues I also want to express our concerns about
the current crisis in the Caucasus region. Latvia has already stated that
fighting terrorism does not and can not justify the use of disproportionate
means causing excessive civilian casualties. The only acceptable way of
dealing with this problem is through political means and dialogue. Latvia
has stated its position to Russia both bilaterally and within international
fora and we feel that the strong voice of international concern is important
to prevent any possibilities of further regional destabilization.
Thank you Mr. Chairman.
|
