Statement
by Philippe
Welti, Secretary of State of Switzerland
at the EAPC Defence Ministers Meeting
Mr. Secretary General, dear Ministers and Colleagues,
South Eastern Europe is again the central topic on our agenda. This time,
however, the general situation in that area is more promising than it
used to be. Democratic elections have taken place in several countries
of the region. This gives us reasons for better hopes than six months
ago.
Although the general outlook has improved, the overall standards in that
area still do not meet the euro-atlantic expectations. The countries concerned
will need assistance in building democratic societies for quite some time
to come.
The UN Secretary General's Special Envoy to the Balkans, Mr. Carl Bildt,
gave us an unbiased assessment of the situation. Electoral results in
Bosnia and Herzegovina illustrate the continuing strength of nationalistic
appeals. The general trend in that country keeps on heading towards separation
and disintegration instead of integration within common State structures
based on shared interests and mutual understanding.
One essential challenge the new democratic structures have to meet, is
the unequivocal establishment of the rule of law. This implies not only
the adoption and implementation of legislation which measures up to European
standards, but also the respect for international law, such as international
humanitarian law, including the prosecution of those who have violated
it.
The international community's role is to support and foster these processes.
We must contribute to a secure environment allowing for the peaceful resolution
of conflicts. Conflicts are never resolved as long as people are not reconciled
with each other. But without justice, there will be no reconciliation.
Indicted war criminals - irrespective of their origin - will have to face
their responsibility.
Responsibility for the future of the region clearly lies with local leaders
and peoples. We have to encourage them to take charge of their future
and we have to respond to their growing ability and readiness to do so.
However, time is not yet ripe for disengagement. The Swiss government
will continue to contribute its part by supporting KFOR, which - along
with SFOR - still plays a crucial role for stability in the region; it
just recently decided to extend the Swiss logistics company's mandate
for another year.
We want to further enhance our contribution to peace support operations
carried out under a UN or OSCE mandate and are in the process of enacting
new legislation to this effect.
A few weeks ago, Switzerland demonstrated its will to strengthen military
cooperation with Partners by hosting 450 officers from about 20 nations
for the PfP exercise COOPERATIVE DETERMINATION 2000.
A lot still remains to be done. Switzerland is committed to contribute
its part in improving common capabilities to respond rapidly and adequately
to surging crises. It is in this spirit that we very much welcome the
different reports submitted to us today which illustrate the ground that
has been covered.
In a rapidly changing world defence sector reform will remain a top issue
and a concern for all of us. The EAPC is a forum where it can be usefully
addressed. The following issues deserve particular attention in our reform
efforts:
Security risks have to be adequately evaluated and our responses have
to be appropriate. We see room to expand the deliberations on this topic.
The issues are very similar for many of our countries. The fourth conference
of the International Security Forum held in Geneva, in November 2000,
saw an intense exchange of views on ways and means to cope with new security
challenges to Europe. Shortly before, Switzerland also played host to
an EAPC-Workshop on Defence Policy and Strategy. She is ready to offer
Geneva as a further venue for discussions on security and defence sector
reform as early as 2001.
Democratic Control of the Armed Forces has to be enhanced and become
permanent and deeply rooted in all countries of our region. Switzerland
proposes to make the services of its newly created Geneva Centre available
within the EAPC.
International Humanitarian Law must be respected and thoroughly implemented.
A Workshop on International Humanitarian Law and Multinational Forces
- co-organised with the United Kingdom - reached substantial conclusions
on follow-up activities in the appropriate NATO/EAPC/PfP-bodies. The EAPC
Ambassadors have already noted the Workshop's report.
Finally, we should steadily increase the flow and exchange of information
in the field of international relations and security policy. Switzerland
is making a special effort in the field of information technologies and
is in the process of further strengthening her engagement. A newly created
PfP Documentation Centre will give more outreach to EAPC work and PfP
events.
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