Declaration
by the Minister
of Foreign Affairs of Austria,
Dr. Benita Ferrero-Waldner
at the Meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council at
Foreign Minister Level
Let me extend a warm welcome to Croatia as a new participant in Partnership
for Peace. We are very happy that our Croation friends and neighbours
have been able to make this important step on the path of their growing
integration in Euro-Atlantic structures.
The reports we have before us demonstrate the substantial progress we
have achieved in our cooperation. Austria will actively participate in
the implementation of the Operational Capabilites Concept and the Training
and Enhanced Education Programme because we see both as important contributions
towards an effective European-Atlantic crisis management.
I am very pleased that the Director of the International Military Staff
recently appointed an Austrian staff officer as the first branch chief
from a partner nation in the IMS.
As a member of the European Union Austria is actively engaged in the
shaping of the Common Security and Defence Policy of the Union. We are
convinced that these developments will also have an important effect on
our relationship with NATO in the PfP context. I, in particular, believe
that we should have a thorough look at the possible role of the PARP when
establishing the contribution of non-allied EU members to the "Headline
Goal" of the Union.
I also believe that ongoing European developments provide an important
argument in favour of an adequate military representation of countries
like Austria in NATO's relevant operational planning structures, in particular
at and within SHAPE. Futhermore, we shall need robust security arrangements,
not only between NATO and the European Union, but also between NATO and
individual non-allied EU Member States.
The full restoration of peace and stability in the Balkans remains one
of our most important common challenges. The Government of Austria recently
decided to increase Austrian participation in UNMIK from 50 to 70 police
officers. Last year's decision by Austria to participate in KFOR with
a mechanised infantery batallion has added a new dimension to our country's
longstanding involvement in multinational peace support operations.
In my capacity as OSCE Chairperson in Office, I am glad to see that contacts
and cooperation between OSCE and NATO have developed in a very satisfactory
way. At working level, as the Kosovo example illustrates, complementarily
is already a reality: the upcoming election in Kosovo, organised by the
OSCE, will rely also on support by KFOR.
At a political level, the NATO Secretary General's planned appearance
before the OSCE Permanent Council next fall will contribute to give an
additional impetus to OSCE-NATO relations, reflecting the spirit and the
letter of the OSCE Charter for European Security.
Finally, let me inform you that the Austrian Federal Government has launched
work on a new security and defence"doctrine" for Austria. This
process will evidently have to take account of ongoing European and transatlantic
developments. We shall engage in an active dialogue on this subject with
our NATO partners.
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