Statement
by Mr. Hans
Haekkerup,
Minister of Defence of Denmark,
at the Meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council
Partnership for Peace and EAPC continues to be highly successful. PfP's
contribution to defence capabilities, crisis response operations and defence
reform captures the essence of the increased operational co-operation
between Partners and NATO. Not only during the operations themselves,
but also in our day-to-day work.
Denmark welcomes the important political developments in the Federal
Republic of Yugoslavia. The democratic elections in September, and the
new political leadership, light a hope for a democratic and more peaceful
future for the region. In order to help establish peace in the short and
mid-term perspective there will continue to be a need for NATO presence
in Kosovo and in Bosnia-Herzegovina. There is also a need to continue
to provide financial and other non-military support to help build self-sustaining
civilian structures. We welcome the further development of regional co-operation
to which NATO's South East Europe Initiative will contribute.
- o -
NATO's commitment in the Balkans is an excellent example of Partner participation
in crisis response operations. Some work, however is still needed to ensure
fair and timely partner involvement both in ongoing operations and in
future NATO-led PfP operations. The second six month review of the Political-Military
Framework for NATO-led PfP Operations hasn't been finalised in time for
these Ministerials, and the consultation of Partners in the political
military framework is not always happening as planned. We need to do better
within this area for the sake of both our Partners and NATO.
Since the Washington Summit we have been in the process of implementing
initiatives which should create a more operational Partnership. Notable
progress has been achieved. PfP including the Training and Education Enhancement
Programme and in the Operational Capabilities Concept are contributing
to the enhancement of Partners' capabilities and standards. Exercises
are evolving into more complex and challenging scenarios, and the opportunities
within our co-operation program are growing. This very positive development
will lead to more capable and interoperable Partner forces, which can
form the basis for future Alliance-led peace support operations, if required.
The extensive peacetime preparations that go with this evolution needs
to be developed further. Partners and Allies have to ensure that the Operational
Capabilities Concept is developed and implemented to the full extent envisaged
at the Washington Summit. Some progress is noted in the development of
an over all pool of forces, and on the computer system to support this.
But we need to further develop normal day to day relations between Partner
forces and the Alliance. We also need to increase the effectiveness of
Partner co-operation and, in a broader perspective, contribute to enhanced
regional and European security.
Finally I would like to highlight the positive influence that PfP and
the Membership Action Plan have on Partners efforts to restructure their
armed forces. We welcome the progress made by Partners in developing better
and more capable armed forces. The Danish government remains fully committed
to assist this process through the further development of PfP and EAPC
and a strong and credible open door policy of the Alliance.
|
