Address
by Mr. Ioan
Mircea Plângu,
State Secretary for Defence Policy, Relations with the Parliament and
other Public Authorities, Romania
Mr. Secretary General,
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Under the EAPC and PfP aegis, defense co-operation has become an essential
element for enhancing mutual confidence among our nations, with a major
impact on the development of regional and Euro-Atlantic security.
Romania will continue to pursue defense and foreign policy priorities,
joining NATO and making a sound contribution to European stability. The
Partnership for Peace has been a valuable means in this respect.
Firstly, PfP has promoted an unprecedented 'cooperative culture' in the
Euro-Atlantic area and the sustained efforts put into this endeavor are
paying-off now. PfP has stepped-up to a deepened and more mature level
of co-operation, it has been a useful tool for the aspirant countries
in their preparation for NATO membership and it is already playing an
enhanced role in the security environment, in crisis response and in conflict
prevention.
We believe the interoperability starts within people's mind. PfP programmes
have proved along the years that military contacts, seminars, various
learning and communication tools have brought a real support for the ongoing
defense reform processes in PfP countries.
Romania is fully committed in the MAP process and is determined to achieve
all the objectives provided for in the national programme. That being
said, I would like to highlight the importance and value of the advice,
assistance and practical support that the aspirant countries have benefited
and will continue to benefit from the Alliance and NATO members countries
within the MAP framework.
Secondly, the inter-active contact with NATO's defense planning system
helped strengthening the democratic control over the Armed Forces in Partner
countries and the notion of working close with the Parliaments in building
the defense budgets.
Thirdly, PfP has constantly promoted the convergence of the Allies and
Partners approaches to crisis management, which proved beneficial during
the Kosovo crisis.
The OCC and the TEEP acquire a special importance in the current stage
of the Enhanced and More Operational Partnership. The implementation of
the provisions of the OCC and TEEP documents will certainly allow us to
better manage the internal process of tailoring, developing and unfolding
of our activities in this area.
Romania has fully made use of the opportunities provided by the Partnership
Programme. This year only, Romania has participated in 21 PfP exercises,
which were excellent means for assessing and increasing the inter-operability
with NATO forces.
As for the relation OCC-TEEP, two aspects deserve primarily to be pointed
out. On one hand, the inclusive character of the PfP Consortium involving
NGOs, military academies centres for security studies contributes largely
to the creation of specific regional networks, and on the other hand,
PfP regional training centres' role in strengthening academic dialogue
has supported the creation of a transparent and co-operative security
throughout Europe.
The courses organised in Bucharest at the PfP Regional Training attended
by a large number of foreign students from South - East Europe to Caucasus
countries. More NATO members are invited to send students to this institution.
A new institute, the Regional Centre for Defence Resources Management
has been opened in Brasov for Romanian students; it is presently included
in our Individual Partnership Programme and will be offered in a second
phase to PfP countries.
In this respect, Romania considers TEEP as a force multiplier in our
joint effort to render the Partnership more operational and efficient.
Education means planting seeds for valuable offspring.
Conflict prevention requires first and foremost a change in mentality
and restructuring the society where military personnel should act as citizens
of a European community of consciousness, 'in the spirit of PfP'.
Mr. Secretary General,
The recent developments in Yugoslavia, the progress recorded in Bosnia-Hertegovina
and the reconfirmed international commitment to the region give cause
for optimism show that progress is possible in South Eastern Europe and
that adversities can be reconciled on the background of democracy and
freedom.
One cannot separate the problems that a country is confronted with from
those of its region. A direct consequence of this approach is Romania's
determination to actively contribute to the efforts towards consolidating
security in South Eastern Europe.
The fact that Romania has participated and will continue to participate
in the SFOR, has supported and will continue to give an active support
to the KFOR, is a clear proof of its commitment to contribute to such
an important objective.
Another proof is, I hope you will agree, Romania's contribution to launching
an important regional project referred to in the "Progress Report
on the Development of the SEEI and Contributions of the Alliance to the
Objectives of the Stability Pact" submitted to us by the Secretariat.
I am referring to the SEE Common Assessment Paper on Regional Security
Challenges and Opportunities (SEECAP), on which we have already circulated
a progress report.
I would like to reiterate the determination to do our best to make this
project, formally launched at a senior level meeting in Bucharest, on
20 November, a real success in our joint effort towards fostering dialogue
and consolidating good neighbourly relations and cooperation among countries
of the region, as well as to enhancing security and stability.
To conclude, regarding conflict prevention, as future chairman of the
OSCE, Romania will continue to act as a mediator and a country promoting
the democratic principles underlying our European community.
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