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Updated: 14-May-2002 NATO Speeches

NATO HQ
6 Dec. 2000

Intervention

by H.E. Mr. Marko Bello Deputy
Minister of Defence of the Republic of Albania
at the EAPC Defence Ministers Meeting

Mr. Secretary General,
Distinguished Colleagues
Ladies and Gentlemen,

This Defence EAPC Ministerial corresponds to moments when Southeast Europe is passing through important changes. Albania is committed to join its efforts with those of the international community and the other counties of the region for bringing more stability within the country, which would mean more stability in the region and beyond.

At the same time, we are also urging the other Albanian factors who live in Kosova, FYROM or anywhere else, to join this main streamline of democratization, stabilization and economic progress, as the only way to avoid remnants of the past history and become partner and member of the family of democratic world.

At the time when the long awaited changes in Belgrade have already started, we are all looking forward the translation of the promises made from the new ruling forces there into practical steps. We have noticed the attention that the international community has devoted to those changes, and expect not less than a rapid democratization of the Serb society.

In this framework of changes we think that Kosova will still remain a test case for the profile of the new regime in Belgrade. The Albanian Government welcomes any positive changes towards a new approach in this direction. We believe that a constructive dialogue would offer chances to a better understanding of the situation, and would also help to find common solutions.

The Albanian Government has also followed with great concern the recent developments in the region of Presheva, Bujanovc and Medvegje, where the flow of refugees from there, along with the recent build up of the Yugoslav Army provide a worrisome source of instability.

For this reason we have proposed to the OSCE to dispatch a monitoring team as a measure of early warning and conflict prevention. The Albanian Government has also publicly expressed its disagreement over the use of force and has urged a political and diplomatic solution of the situation.

As far as the reform of the Albanian Armed Forces is concerned, I would like to stress the fact that we have now a new structure of the Ministry of Defence and our Armed Forces, which have been designed and concluded in close cooperation and assistance of the allied counties. This year has been of great importance for our military. Last January, the Parliament adopted two crucially important documents "The National Security" and "Defense Policy", which lay down the bases for further changes towards a modern army and the principle of democratic control over them.

Realism and objectivity would be the basic notions in our future endeavors aiming at the deepening of the process of Army reform. We will seek to have a small but an efficient army. That is to say that quality will overrule quantity.
To this end, I would stress the fact that Albania is deeply engaged in all five areas of MAP related issues, and will remain committed to this process until our strategic objective for full membership is fulfilled.

As we are concentrated on building up our future, we should also avoid the remnants of the past, while at the same trying to deal with the new security challenges of the new century. It is in this spirit that Albania has undertaken a significant effort as confirmed by the :
Conclusion of a Memorandum on Destruction of Small Arms and Light Weapons in Albania, signed by representatives of Albania, USA, Germany and Norway, thus setting an example for the other countries of Southeast Europe to undertake such a commitment, which we believe would enhance security and stability and contribute to the security building measures in the region. We hope that other countries of Southeast Europe will join us in the near future.

Albania is in the process of fulfilling its obligations that steam from its participation as a signatory party to the Ottawa Treaty in close cooperation with NAMSA.

Also in the field of ammunition destruction and dismantling Albania is committed to destroy all the amounts in excess, beyond its national needs for defense purposes.

In the framework of SEDM, Albania has proposed to host the headquarters of a Coordinating Cell for Humanitarian and Disaster Relief Interventions in cases of emergencies. We are working with NATO member countries, such as USA, to develop this initiative and coordinate our efforts with other countries in the region, which have proposed similar initiatives.

Albania is an active participant in all regional initiatives, especially those deriving from the Washington Summit Documents. We put much emphases to our NATO - PfP obligations and will keep closely collaborating in the future. Albania has also considered of importance the meetings of the NATO aspiring countries, as a forum where opinions and experiences are exchanged.

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