Address
by Indulis
Berzins, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Latvia
at the EAPC Foreign Ministers meeting
Dear Colleagues,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
During Latvia's engagement in the EAPC and PfP, these processes have
provided valuable opportunities for Latvia to contribute to conflict prevention
and crisis management with NATO and partner countries.
In addressing how we have made use of these opportunities, I want to
look at three aspects. Firstly, the link that these important processes
have with our aspirations to join the Alliance. Secondly, the relevance
of the processes within the ongoing debate about European and NATO capabilities.
Thirdly, the importance of regional cooperation for improvement of crisis
management and conflict prevention.
The link with
membership aspirations
In the past year, Latvia has attached particular importance to the Membership
Action Plan. We regard the process as a very positive one. Our participation
in MAP has helped us to focus and expand our resources. It has increased
our interoperability. And along the way, we have also been able to address
crisis management issues.
In particular our annual national programme under the MAP refers to the
creation of a Crisis Management Centre that has now been established.
Looking at the crisis management and conflict prevention issue more generally,
the increasing cooperation within EAPC and PfP has enhanced stability
and security. It has had this effect throughout Europe and in this context,
I would also like to congratulate my colleague, the Foreign Minister of
Croatia, on the occasion of his country joining Partnership for Peace
and the Euro Atlantic Partnership Council.
I would also like to mention the joint declaration that was signed last
week in Vilnius by the ministers of the nine MAP countries. The process
of building Europe whole and free will not be completed until all nine
of the aspiring countries will have joined NATO. In Vilnius, all the candidates
agreed to work as a team in preparation for the next enlargement and asked
to be invited to join the Alliance at the next NATO Summit. We have reached
a common stand on enlargement. I would encourage colleagues from the Alliance
to do the same.
EAPC and PfP's
relevance to European - Atlantic debates
Confronting the crisis over Kosovo last year and restoring peace to the
region are exercises that have illustrated the necessity for effective
crisis management.
As an aspirant to both the EU and NATO, we welcome the focus on improving
European capabilities. However, more Europe does not mean less North America.
Let me stress the necessity for a strong transatlantic link and importance
of the United States and Canada's involvement in Europe.
Now that Latvia is negotiating with the EU about membership, we strive
to be involved in the developing European Security and Defence Policy
and consider that both Latvian and joint Baltic contributions should be
considered for the EU Headline Goal therefore contributing to improved
European crisis management.
Importance
of regional cooperation for improvement of crisis management and conflict
prevention
Latvia's positive experience of engagement in successful regional co-operation
leads us to believe that this can also be of value for future endeavours
to improve crisis management and conflict prevention.
For example, the Baltic States' joint Peace Keeping Battalion, BALTBAT,
has provided units for peace keeping forces in Bosnia. The joint Air Surveillance
system called BALTNET is developed to be compatible with NATO. These and
similar joint projects give an added value to PfP and EAPC. By working
closely with our immediate neighbours we gain considerable experience
for broader forms of EAPC co-operation. In addition, thanks to the support
of NATO members and EAPC countries, mutual interests are enhanced through
this form of co-operation.
Continued encouragement and support for joint Baltic projects will provide
a knock-on effect of increasing our ability to engage in conflict prevention
and crisis management in the future.
Thank you.
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