Header
Updated: 29-May-2001 NATO Speeches

Meeting
of the North
Atlantic
Council in Ministerial
Session

Budapest,
Hungary

29 May 2001

Opening Statement

by NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson

We meet today at a significant time of transformation in the history of our Alliance and of Europe. Never before has this continent displayed such a strong momentum towards cooperation, towards stability and towards lasting peace.

We also meet at a historically significant place of transformation: in the capital of a nation that joined this Alliance only two years ago; a nation once deprived of its own freedom, and now a symbol of the new, democratic and undivided Europe.

Our meeting today here in Budapest is a resounding demonstration of the enduring value of our Alliance. An Alliance which has played a crucial role in ending Europe’s division, and is now playing an equally pivotal role bringing this continent closer together.

This objective, of course, has not quite been fully reached. Some parts of Europe are still haunted by instability and conflict. Democracy has not yet taken full root in all parts of this continent. And there is still an implicit division between a prosperous, self-confident, strong West and a less prosperous, less confident East.

So our task ahead is clear: to move ahead with our policy of partnership and cooperation, and to enhance our means of responding to existing and emerging security challenges. Today's meeting will I believe be able to deliver on all counts:

First, we must continue our efforts to bring lasting peace and stability to Southeast Europe. Since we last met, this region has witnessed many positive developments. The overall progress of South-East Europe is, to a great extent, testimony to what can be achieved if the European and North American Allies act resolutely in pursuit of shared objectives. The presence of Yugoslav Foreign Minister Svilanovic at tomorrow's meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council illustrates this positive momentum.

Of course, events in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) still give rise to concern. I am pleased that Dr. Javier Solana, the European Union High Representative for CFSP is here with us today, to share his views upon returning from Skopje. There is no place at the negotiating table for those who prefer bullets to the ballot box and use violence to achieve political purposes. It is important that the government in Skopje exercise firmness with flexibility, showing appropriate restraint as it pursues a political solution to the current crisis.

But we have not yet reached our aim of a truly self-sustaining peace. There is still too much hatred and revenge. And there is still too much readiness by some to resort to force in the pursuit of nationalistic illusions. Our meeting today sends a clear signal that we remain determined to bring peace and stability to the entire Balkans region - a region that has seen too little peace, stability and prosperity in the past decade.

Second, we must continue in our quest to find a new, more balanced transatlantic relationship. More than ten years after the end of the Cold War, Europe and North America require a more equitable distribution of burdens and of responsibilities. Only a fair partnership can have a future. This means, above all, that the European Allies must shoulder a greater share of the burden of maintaining security and stability in Europe.

Our meeting today will review the progress we have made in fostering a new relationship between our Alliance and the European Union, and we will map out the way ahead. Tomorrow, the first ever formal meeting of the NATO and EU Foreign Ministers will mark a milestone in the development of the relationship between the two institutions.

Let me stress that central to our efforts and central to a smooth and effective relationship between NATO and the EU is the development of improved defence capabilities. We know there may be crises in the future that will require a military response. But whether nations turn to NATO to carry out some future mission, or whether they turn to the EU, the defence capabilities will have to be in place in advance if engagement by either organisation is to be possible.

And that means that tough national decisions on defence restructuring and defence spending have to be made now. Because unless nations provide the necessary and in some case missing defence capabilities, the scope for political decisionmaking and action by NATO or the EU would be seriously limited.

Third, we must look at new ways of dealing with the security challenges of the 21st century. NATO’s continued relevance depends on its ability to respond to a changing strategic environment. Our meeting today will demonstrate that this Alliance remains focused on the security challenges which may well face us in the years and decades to come. We will continue our intensive transatlantic dialogue on proliferation, missile defence, and on the challenges and opportunities that these developments pose for international arms control. Our dialogue will confirm once again that NATO remains the key forum where Europe and North America consult and cooperate in managing their common security.

That is not all. We will further broaden and deepen our dialogue and cooperation with Partners within the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council and the Partnership for Peace. We will reaffirm our commitment to establishing ever closer ties with Russia. We will also pay special attention to our relationship with Ukraine. And we will send a strong signal of NATO's open door by reviewing the progress made in helping to prepare the applicant countries for future membership in the Alliance.

Today’s meeting, as well as the meeting tomorrow of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council tomorrow, will demonstrate that this Alliance remains at the centre stage of European and Atlantic security. At today's meeting, we will continue to move ahead with confidence to meet the challenges of the future.

  1. Turkey recognizes the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.

Go to Homepage Go to Index