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Updated: 08-Jun-2001 NATO Speeches

Meeting of
EAPC Defence Ministers
NATO HQ,
Brussels
8 June 2001

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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