NATO HQ Meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council 15 Dec. 2000

Intervention by Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic H.E. Mr. Eduard Kukan Dear Mr. Secretary General, Dear Colleagues, Bitter lessons of conflicts in the Balkans, Caucasus and in Central Asia have more than ever manifested that security is closely connected with regional stability and trust. It is safe to argue that each nation has its own right to choose and to determine its destiny, and that no nation has a right to dictate to another its future. Yet it is also true that concept of self-imposed isolationism and non-engagement is outdated and even dangerous. Growing community of EAPC nations is a clear evidence of this historic change in international relations. Increasing number of regional initiatives for South-East Europe, Caucasus and hopefully for Central Asia should be regarded as a response to this lesson of the last decade. Democratic system, fair treatment of minorities and good neighbourly relations are important prerequisites for stability of any region. When one element of this triangle is missing, the security of a region is vulnerable. Isolated, authoritarian and xenophobic regimes have a large potential of projecting instability to the whole region. This had been clearly demonstrated for years by the situation in FRY. The presence of the Alliance in the Balkans was appreciated and highlighted many times, as it represents an immense and positive contribution to the security situation of that region. At the same time, we have to be aware that some South-European countries are in need of economic assistance. Inevitable structural reforms are always connected with temporary economical stagnation. The international community, but especially mature democracies, faces very important tasks, such as helping the affected region and addressing many post-conflict syndromes, including rise of activities of radical or criminal groups. Improving the existing state structures in the region will facilitate a creation of conditions necessary for boosting economic growth and solving other serious problems, for instance, smuggling and organized crime. Regarding the issue of sovereignty of FRY, it is important to say clearly that international community does not consider appropriate any changes of borders in the Balkans. It is obvious that the reconciliation and reconstruction will be a long process, however, we have to pursue objectives set forth in the UN Security Council Resolution No. 1244. Democratic changes in countries of Central and Eastern Europe were boosted and reinforced by engagement of our people in preserving their natural rights and freedoms and by building civic society. Recent experience of the FRY showed that civic society is capable of building elements of stability and democratic principles. Therefore, our governments should and must do their utmost to engage into these efforts those willing to contribute. Slovakia is well aware of the strength of such a movement of non-governmental organizations and is ready to share its experience with all those who feel that human rights, freedom and democracy are endangered. In regard to the developments in the FRY, the Slovak Government helped to start and create all conditions necessary for peaceful and constructive dialogue of all democratic groups to put Yugoslavia back on a track of reintegration into the community of democratic nations in Europe, in the framework of the so-called Bratislava Process. Mr. Secretary General, Dear Colleagues, Slovakia continues in the process of reform of its defense, both politically and militarily. This effort is driven by three main factors. We want to have our armed forces more democratic, whole system of defense more effective, and last but not least, we want to have forces capable of conducting joint multinational crisis response and peace operations, thus taking our share of responsibility for security in wider Euro-Atlantic area. All these three aims also merge with requirements that are put on future NATO members. As a candidate country we appreciate the assistance being provided by NATO through enhanced tools and mechanisms of EAPC, PfP and the MAP. Trough this Slovakia wants to be better prepared candidate for a membership and to be ready to effectively contribute to stability and prosperity of our nations. As an aspirant country, the Slovak Republic acknowledges slow, but steady launch of debate about future NATO enlargement. We are prepared to further cooperation and solidarity with other aspirant countries in fostering next round of NATO enlargement as a step to project the stability and prosperity in Euro-atlantic community. We trust that the Allies, in turn, will promote well-sequenced and objective discussion on finding consensus on this pledge next year in preparation for the 2002 summit. In this context, the Slovak Republic was closely listening and contributing to the debate and adoption of the resolution on NATO enlargement, which emerged during recent meeting of NATO Parliamentary Assembly in Berlin. As its bid to provide space for such a discussion, the Slovak Republic plans to organize a conference focused on a vision of Europe whole and free and contributions of new democracies to European and transatlantic security, to be held on 10 - 12 May 2001 in Bratislava. Since accession of the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland to the Alliance, security and stability in Central and East Europe has strengthened. These three newest NATO members have undoubtedly become an important stabilizing factor in the wider Central and Eastern Europe. Continuation of the Alliance's enlargement policy has to be regarded also as a process of widening of the zone of stability and establishing reinforced relations between the new democracies. Also from this perspective, Slovakia puts emphasis on credible fulfillment of the Washington Summit "pledge to continue to welcome new members in the Alliance" and hopes that the open-door policy will be adequately materialized by 2002. Thank you for your attention.