"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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