Statement
by
Dr Bjorn von Sydow,
Minister for Defence of Sweden
Mr Secretary General, Colleagues,
Since its inception seven years ago, PfP has developed
from a visionary idea into one of the most important instruments
for developing Euro-Atlantic crisis management capabilities
and security co-operation. Its significance is manifested
every day in our joint efforts. Through common training
and enhancement of interoperability, the effectiveness
of contributions to ongoing operations has increased.
In fact, PfP has become mainstream business for all countries
involved. Sweden will continue to participate actively
in Partnership for Peace.
During my visit to Kosovo a few weeks ago, I was impressed
by what we have achieved with regard to practical interoperability.
We have enhanced the efficiency and depth of our cooperation.
However, much remains to be done, not least to ensure
that measures taken within different organisations are
coordinated and mutually supporting. Coherence, inclusiveness
and transparency must be guiding principles in our efforts
in the field, as well as here in Brussels.
Two years have passed since the Washington Summit and
the introduction of the Enhanced and More Operational
Partnership. During this period, we have experienced a
significant development in many areas, not least owing
to the active engagement of a number of NATO and Partner
nations. However, to further improve the use of the PfP
and the EAPC for conflict prevention and crisis management,
some components remain to be developed and improved upon.
Recently NATO and Partner nations jointly carried out
a second review of the implementation of the Political-Military
Framework for NATO-led PfP Operations. The results, as
presented to us in a report today together with the recent
military advice, constitute a significant step forward,
not least regarding the consultation process. Sweden is
now looking forward to a swift implementation of the conclusions
in the review.
The PfP Planning and Review Process, PARP, provides
a useful and vital instrument in developing capabilities
for multinational Peace Support Operations. The implementation
of current Partnership Goals will represent an essential
step forward in this respect. For Sweden PARP is the central
mechanism for achieving international interoperability
and in a broader sense for fostering a more international
orientation of our Armed Forces.
The Ministerial Guidance 2001 that we are invited to
approve today introduce some important new elements into
the PARP. Sweden welcomes the possibilities to further
develop the current Partnership Goals and also to incorporate
new Goals. We also welcome the improved possibilities
for transparency that are opened by encouraging partners
to invite other PARP participants to take part in their
review process.
PARP is playing central roles as well in developing
our capabilities to meet our commitments towards the EU
Headline Goal as in ensuring coherence between our commitments
undertaken in the EU and our declarations made in the
PARP. From a national standpoint we want these roles of
the PARP as well to be reflected in the Ministerial Guidance
and I underline the importance of a further development
of the document in these respects.
This spring we have also seen important elements of
the Operational Capabilities Concept for NATO-led PfP
Operations, the OCC, being elaborated in considerable
detail. OCC together with the Training and Education Enhancement
Programme are important to strengthen the PfP and the
EAPC as tools for practical security cooperation, conflict
prevention and crisis management. Along with PARP and
the CJTF-concept, they represent important instruments
in developing interoperability also in the EU context.
Let me conclude by saying that we have come a long way
since PfP was introduced. Many of the goals that were
initially set
have indeed been reached. Building security and fostering
cooperation however is an endless endeavour. New challenges
and new tasks are emerging. The European security landscape
continues to evolve. NATO as well as the EU are committed
to taking in new members within the next few years and
are developing new forms for cooperation in the security
field. New security challenges are emerging and some could
stay with us for long times to come. PfP has demonstrated
its continued adaptability and relevance. Sweden remains
committed to its further development.
In view of the challenges ahead, however we have an
important common task in assuring that Partnership for
Peace maintains its relevance for all. Myself, I would
welcome a discussion concerning the way ahead for PfP
at our next EAPC-meeting in December.
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