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Updated: 06-Jun-2001 NATO Speeches

EAPC Meeting

Budapest,
Hungary
30 May 2001

"Strengthening Co-operative Security in the
Euro-Atlantic Area"

Written contributions by H-E. Janos Martonyi,
Foreign Minister of the Republic of Hungary

2001 marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the EAPC and its predecessor, the NACC A decade is not a long time from a historical point of view. However, these ten years have witnessed Europe turning from a deeply divided continent into a continent of co-operative nations that have a common interest in shaping a stable and secure future.

NATO has adapted to the new circumstances and developed, together with Partner nations, a common security culture in the Euro-Atlantic region.

Partners have a genuine voice in shaping the Euro-Atlantic security agenda. This is manifested in their participation in political consultations and decision-making on issues of crucial importance for Euro-Atlantic security.

Looking ahead to the lead-up to Prague, we need to consider what direction we want EAPC to head for. The values of partnership and co-operation - especially its objective-oriented, practical approach and programs like EMOP and the OCC - must be further strengthened. At the same time, we should think about how to improve the efficiency of the EAPC.

In our view, the future of the EAPC basically depends on two factors: 1) Maintenance of EAPC's integrity; 2) Strengthening its role in crisis-prevention.

We can serve both objectives by enhancing regional co-operation as a successful feature of our partnership and co-operation. At the same time, we need to avoid regional fragmentation of the EAPC.

Security and stability in the Balkans will continue to be high on the EAPC's agenda Although NATO plays a crucial role in the region, the Alliance will continue to need the involvement of all Partners in coping with the challenges and turning the process of building stability in Southeastern Europe into a success.

Paying distinguished attention to other regions in the Euro-Atlantic region is equally important. Our partners in the Caucasus and Central-Asia are providing a valuable contribution to the work of the EAPC- We should further specify what the concrete security needs of our partners in these regions are, and how this community can more efficiently contribute to the enhancement of security there.

It is good news that the idea of peaceful co-operation continues to appeal and spread. Tajikistan has eventually expressed its intention to join "the club" of PfP-nations.

We are convinced that as a consultative forum, the EAPC should also provide more extensive, complementary support for the other European security organisations. This could be achieved not by duplicating their activities but rather by jointly establishing ways ans means for the prevention of crisis situations - or if it is already too late to do so, to manage them at the earliest possible stage.

In our opinion, preparation for NATO membership may be the greatest challenge to face for some of the EAPC-countries in the coming months. However, it is a collective challenge for NATO, as well.

We are all well aware of the circumstances that will determine the precise date of the next wave. First the actual state of preparedness of the aspirant countries. Second, the actual preparedness of NATO, Thirdly, the actual state of the European security atmosphere.

The member states of the Alliance will hopefully come to a positive decision at their Summit in Prague tn November 2002. The question of when and how to take in new members has to be decided by then. Taking an in-depth look at enlargement, we can conclude that all options are open and nothing has been decided yet.

There is a wide-ranging opinion among Allies that the enlargement process must go on. It is a strategic endeavor that affects the direction, the principles and the scope of co-operation with our partners. It has been and continues to be a crucial factor for the stabilisation of Central Eastern and South-eastern Europe. There must be no reason for stopping or suspending it.

NATO-enlargement is a part of the process that started in 1990 and will finally lead to the creation of a Europe whole and free. Enlargement also ensures coherence and balance between the transatlantic link and the European unification. At the same time, we have to make sure that our Alliance remains an efficient and credible organisation, and future members bring added value to it.

The enlargement process has to remain transparent; it must continue to follow a performance-oriented and individual approach, and should ultimately result in the accession of new couniries to the Alliance.

All nations have the right to choose the most suitable form of providing for their Own security, None of the European nations should be excluded from the possibility of becoming a member of the Alliance* if it meets the requirements of membership and is willing to shoulder the responsibilities stemming from NATO membership.

Hungary's pledge to support further enlargement includes practical assistance, using all the existing forms bilateral and multilateral co-operation, as well as continued active participation in MAP, EAPC and PfP.

"Developments in Southeastern Europe"

It is a particular pleasure for me to welcome Foreign Minister Svilanovic in Budapest. Not many of us would have foreseen a scenario like this a year ago. The presence of the foreign minister of Yugoslavia at the meeting of the EAPC is a living proof that a tragic chapter of the Yugoslav and consequently of the Balkan history have come to a closure. The message is clear: civil courage and belief in democratic values have prevailed. What Yugoslavia did not need was a continuation of the chain of wars. What she has opted for instead, is democratisation, modernisation and international co-operation.

A year ago the discussions on our ministerial meeting were focusing on how to prevent a regime from destabilising an entire region. Today we are working together for the strengthening of regional stability and co-operation.

Having Mr. Svilanovic here conveys a message to all of us: namely, that the future for Yugoslavia lies in the community of democratic nations, and that the FRY has become a key partner in peace-building.

As the foreign minister of a neighbouring country, I am pleased to note the progress towards democracy and co-operation in FRY. Hungary is ready and willing to promote this process.

The fundamental choice has been done in Belgrade. Our belief is that the way for further cooperation between the Alliance and Yugoslavia is open. I am sure that the democratic leadership of the FRY will consider how far we can go on that road.

The so-called Covic-plan is a good start. It will be crucially important to see full implementation of the confidence-building measures foreseen by this plan.

While welcoming all the positive changes in Yugoslavia, we must not forget about all the difficulties the country still has to face. Eleven years after having started itself a new chapter of development, Hungary well very understands how difficult it is to restore the economy and demolish the monolithic structures. We have also realised, however, that there is no other real option for progress.

While acknowledging the results, we should be realistic: there is still much to be done. The hotspots on the Balkans and the abuse, neglect and denial of democratic and minority rights can and must not be forgotten.

The prospects for building lasting peace and stability in Southeastern Europe have never been more promising. All countries of the region are led by democratically elected Governments. We should grasp this momentum.

The contribution of Yugoslavia to the implementation of these objectives is crucial. We need you and we count on your efforts. In return, your country can count on the support of NATO and Hungary.

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