Remarks
by
Mr.
Toomas Hendrik Ilves, Minister of Foreign Affairs
of Estonia
Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
I will confine my remarks today to three points.
My first point is about this forum, the EAPC. Although we are following
a concrete plan toward membership in NATO - the Membership Action Plan,
on what I will say some words below - this policy does not diminish our
support for the activities of the EAPC and the PfP. Indeed, we see the
expansion of the EAPC as a political forum, itself, as a positive move,
and in this regard welcome Ireland's participation in the Council.
Estonia has undergone fundamental reforms in the course of re-instating
independence. Having done so with considerable success, we believe we
are in a good position to cooperate with other non-NATO states with whom
the EAPC is a good forum for contact, states that have embarked upon that
same path.
For this reason, various agencies of my Government are in a process of
forming a task force, to be soon available by contacting our representations
abroad as well as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to that end. This task
force will be ready and willing to share Estonia's experience in reorganizing
democratic institutions and defence structures, in building up police
and border guard functions, and undertaking similar changes in the economic
sphere.
Second, I would also say a few words on important EAPC and NATO practical
initiatives. Estonia is actively taking advantage of those EAPC and PfP
related initiatives launched at the Washington Summit that will lead to
Enhanced and More Operational Partnership. In particular, we welcome the
PfP Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) as a strong basis for advancing
preparations for a NATO-led Peace Support Operations, should one come
up. OCC also translates the basic tenets of the NATO's Defence Capabilities
Initiative into the partnership.
Our plans for adequate defence expenditures, as well as MAP preparations
in toto, are closely related to important developments within NATO. As
closely as is possible for a Partner Country, Estonia follows the ongoing
developments in the Defence Capabilities Initiative. We are keenly aware
of the fact that the DCI is defining-some might say re-defining-the Alliance
that we will join. By bolstering the Alliance's effectiveness, the DCI
will ensure NATO's position as the centrepiece of security on the continent.
My third and last point concerns the Membership Action Plan introduced
at the Washington Summit. In short, the MAP is one of the most dynamic
initiatives launched in Washington. In participating, Estonia understands
that MAP alone will not bring us into NATO. At the same time, we are treating
the MAP process for preparing ourselves for the membership, when that
invitation should come, and for eventual NATO's enlargement by more new
countries, among others, also to the countries of our region.
Within the intervening eight months between the Washington Summit and
this meeting of the EAPC we have expended considerable effort toward preparing
our Annual National Program. Within our MAP planning we have confirmed
our decision to have its defence expenditures, through gradual increase,
reach 2% of our GDP by the year 2002.
Let me state that according to our experience MAP is a living process.
Recent meetings with the NATO expert team as well as consultations in
a 19 plus 1 format have provided valuable feedback as to Member States'
reactions to our plan. Let me also say that MAP process is not only useful
for Estonia; it also serves as a means for Member States to follow our
progress and readiness in a highly transparent and legible way.
Thank you.
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