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

Statement by Mr Boyko Noev, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. Chairman, Dear Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, In the context of today's extensive agenda I would like to draw your attention only to some issues of particular priority. Let me say at the very beginning that today's EAPC meeting provides for yet another opportunity for the Allies together with Partners, to further strengthen the democratic Euro-Atlantic area. Bulgaria attaches great importance to the promotion of peace and stability throughout the whole Euro-Atlantic region as the best guarantee for the national security and the regional stability. Today's EAPC Defence Ministerial comes in time when the situation in the Western Balkans and especially in the Republic of Macedonia is a very complicated one. We now witness the changes not on a daily basis, but almost every hour. The number of casualties is growing on both sides, the tension has reached its critical peak, the situation is deteriorating fast and may well go beyond. The state is pretty close to declaring a Martial Law status. It is obvious that so far the measures taken by the new Macedonian Government and the International Community for finding a political and peaceful solution to the crisis are not sufficient and effective enough. Time is not our ally and it is running out quickly. There is an urgent need of decisive measures from the International community, and more precisely NATO and EU, to neutralize the terrorist activities in the region. The Republic of Bulgaria is especially concerned about the recent developments. While the Kosovo crisis flared up about a hundred kilometers away from Bulgaria, the current armed clashes in the Republic of Macedonia are just a couple of kilometers from our borders. It should be clear that there is no acceptable alternative to the political solution of the crisis. A constantly increasing military confrontation is definitely not an option. If continued, it can lead to grave and irreversible consequences and a fundamentally different situation. There is a serious risk of deepening divisions along ethnic lines and deterioration of the conflict into a civil war. The bottom-line is clear and it is the preservation of the territorial integrity of the country. It is of vital importance for the ethnic Albanian political factor in the Republic of Macedonia to make sure that any terrorist or other extremist means to pursue their demands are immediately abandoned. Alongside the efforts of the Macedonian political parties, the international community should take more concrete responsibilities in the Republic of Macedonia. We fully support the request by the Macedonian Government for a stronger international involvement, and in particular for a NATO/KFOR role in the demilitarization and disarmament of the terrorists. The EU and the OSCE should lead the international efforts in support of the reconciliation and reintegration of the Macedonian society. The Stability Pact for SEE should reconfirm its viability by assuring an expeditious funding and implementation of relevant projects. Bulgaria contributes to the efforts of the Alliance to establish peace and stability in the Western Balkans. In support to that, we are trying to find ways to increase our participation in current NATO-led peace support operations in the region. The fundamental solution for the Western Balkans is not in redrawing borders and creating new states, but in building societies on clear democratic foundations with robust institutions. We think that the most efficient long-term strategic instrument to this end is the process of NATO and EU enlargement with the leading candidates from South-Eastern Europe. An invitation to the countries generating stability in the region and capable to make a tangible contribution in real terms is the best investment in security the Alliance can make. Bulgaria is willing and able to assume such responsibilities and NATO will receive clear geo-strategic benefits in terms of crisis management in the Western Balkans. Our membership will be a win-win development responding to the common interest of the Euro-Atlantic democratic community. Within the successful development of NATO's SEEI, Bulgaria welcomes in particular the first common document on perceptions and priorities in the area of regional security in SEE - the SEECAP - and we urge for an early and devoted implementation of its recommendations, particularly in support of the security sector reform. The SEEGROUP, as another regionally led and owned process, should be actively involved in this exercise. Regional cooperation on border security and control is also a priority to be pursued within the SEEI. As an aspirant country, we take full advantage of the opportunities the MAP provides to prepare for the future obligations of membership and, in this context, we consider the new PARP Ministerial Guidance 2001 a useful tool in defining priorities for the efficient and successful implementation of NATO membership requirements. The PARP Consolidated Report gives a realistic evaluation of Bulgaria's progress towards NATO membership. A major review of the reform plans for the improvement of the Bulgarian Armed Forces structures, in close consultations with the Allies, is at an advanced stage, and a PMSC meeting with Bulgaria will be held next week. Bulgaria is satisfied with the recent developments in the framework of the Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC), and the associated Assessment and Feedback Programme. We already declared forces to be assessed in September during the "Cooperative Key 2001" exercise hosted by Bulgaria. The reform in the Bulgarian Armed Forces is advancing and an appropriate and timely feedback is of particular importance. Plans until the end of 2002 envisage to have NATO evaluation of all Bulgarian forces and capabilities declared for the participation in NATO-led PfP operations. We welcome the opportunities offered to Partner counties for enhanced cooperation in the Politico-Military Framework on the NATO-led PfP operations. Participation in CMX 2001 accentuated on the usefulness of in-advance information on crisis situations for their quick and efficient evaluation and management through available forces and assets. Thank you for your attention!