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

Speech of Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic Dear Secretary General, ladies and gentlemen, My first attendance at the EAPC Ministerial in the position of the Minister of Defence of the Slovak Republic takes place in an extraordinary and dynamic period. On the one hand our community experiences an unprecedented political and military co-operation of NATO, EU and Partnership countries within the process of solving the ongoing crisis in Balkan. At the same time it is the period when we start thinking about the assessment of the decade of Partnership Co-operation from the former NACC to the present shape of EAPC/PfP. I believe that we will not miss opportunity to discuss this issue at our Fall meeting. Apart from broader assessment of EAPC/PfP contribution to Euro-Atlantic security it is clear that the PfP program became an important element of Euro-Atlantic crisis management system. This fact may be explicitly demonstrated on the example of Kosovo as more and more countries are able to effectively deploy their military capabilities in joint operations. With respect to available capabilities for peace support operations as well as defence planning and force structures as such, Kosovo taught us a lot of lessons. Kosovo explicitly showed that defence reform is not only military but primarily political top priority. Participation in Partnership for Peace Planning and Review Process (PARP) is a challenge for our country because it serves as a unique opportunity to share the implementation and development of the Slovak Armed Forces reforms with Partners and to build capabilities of the Slovak Armed Forces corresponding to present needs and new security risks and threats. No country can build and sustain Armed Forces that are not effective and unable to face emerging threats. Transformation of the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff is a dynamic process. Our effort focuses on avoiding duplication, simplifying the structures of integrated Ministry of Defence, introducing the transparent working relations on each organisation level, strict defining the responsibility and authority in order to create demanding working environment. The ongoing reform of the Army requires radical revisions within certain spheres. At present the Slovak Republic develops a concept "The Slovak Armed Forces - Model 2010" mainly focusing on the Armed Forces optimal training, readiness and capabilities. The Slovak Republic concentrates on building up the Armed Forces not only able to fulfil the tasks of national defence but also to participate in full scope of NATO-led operations and to contribute to collective defence. Slovak Armed Forces will be modern, professional, effective, smaller, more flexible, compatible with the Alliance, sustainable, deployable and fully operational in the theatre. Principles of proportionality, realism and financial planning are obvious imperatives. Strong political support and public understanding are naturally included in our plans. New approaches within the Slovak Republic defence planning rely on the partnership and open co-operation and feedback from the experts from the NATO countries. Allow me on this occasion to thank you for your invaluable assistance. Interest of the Allied nations in our progress is encouragement to us in our efforts. With respect to our commitments to operations in the Balkans, I have a good news. Slovakia decided to increase its contingent in KFOR. In the first quarter of 2002 we plan to train and deploy one mechanised company of the Slovak Army within joint Czech-Slovak unit. Let me also inform you that on 30 May 2001 the Ministers of Defence of the Slovak Republic, the Czech Republic and the Republic of Poland signed the Joint Declaration on establishment of multinational military unit interoperable with NATO that will participate in international military operations. Dear Secretary General, ladies and gentlemen, I would like to assure you that we have taken all the mentioned measures in order to become more active contributor to security and stability not only as a Partner but also as a responsible member of the Euro-Atlantic Community. Implementation of tools and mechanisms within the Enhanced and More Operational Partnership is for Slovakia, as an aspiring nation, a natural and integral part of present reforms. Therefore, with new ideas and proposals for future partner cooperation cropping in our minds, we think that more important than adopting new programs and concepts is to vigorously implement existing initiatives and tools. With always-limited resources, this is the only reasonable way ahead.