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

Statement Mr. Jozo Rado, Minister of Defence of the Republic of Croatia Mr Secretary General, Ladies and Gentlemen: It is my pleasure to take part in this meeting of Defence Ministers of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council-as Croatia marks its first full year as a member of the Euro-Atlantic family. Let me assure you that Croatia will continue to be fully committed to contributing to the strengthening of Euro-Atlantic security. In that regard, our key foreign and security policy objectives are focused on full-fledged membership in NATO and our contribution to regional stability. Croatia believes that its participation in PfP activities is an essential step in reaching its objective of joining the Alliance. It sees its security as inextricably linked to that of the Euro-Atlantic area as well as the broader community of democratic nations. Until we achieve full NATO membership, Croatia considers the PfP program as the single most effective international mechanism and a very practical tool for promoting our national interests. Since our last EAPC meeting, Croatia has continued to explore the many opportunities offered by PfP. Croatia has actively joined PARP and has received its first set of Partnership Goals. The implementation of 28 Partnership Goals will complement our current defence reform efforts-where the interoperability of our forces with those of NATO countries will be the main guiding principle. Additionally, Croatia is prepared, on a case-by-case basis, to make certain forces available for joint training and exercises and NATO-led PfP operations. I am convinced that the upcoming signing of the PFP SOFA will provide an impetus for a more extensive NATO-Croatia co-operation, in particular in the exercise domain. Croatia is working on its Discussion Paper, thus allowing us to explore all the possibilities of the Intensified Dialogue. This phase will present an important framework for deeper and more meaningful co-operation between NATO and Croatia, which will correspondingly lead to Croatia's inclusion in MAP. Our dynamic, geo-strategic environment provides more than ample security challenges. We welcome democratic developments in neighbouring countries and hope that they will contribute to strengthening regional stability. Yet, as the continued escalation of hostilities in Macedonia proves, regional uncertainties still remain, and South-East Europe continues to be one of NATO's greatest geo-political challenges. I would like to take this opportunity and once again emphasise our commitment to promote democratic values and friendly relations with all our neighbours through regional cooperation in South-East Europe. In particular, our primary efforts are directed towards fostering the peace process in Bosnia-Herzegovina. A stable and long-lasting peace in Bosnia-Herzegovina remains the cornerstone of our regional foreign policy. As a neighbouring country, we have a direct interest in seeing the peace process through. Ethnic Croats represent one of the three constituent peoples in Bosnia. Also, a long, common border and many other common interests tie our two countries. Croatia is working with NATO and the international community in supporting the Dayton/Paris peace process and is helping to develop a self-sustainable, multiethnic Bosnia-Herzegovina. Croatia continues to directly support NATO-led SFOR mission and the government of Bosnia-Herzegovina in a transparent manner and through formal institutions. Starting this year, financial assistance to the Federation of Bosnia-Herzegovina is based on economic, social and cultural programs and projects, rather than direct outlays to any military component. However, we have always advocated that a solution cannot be imposed from outside, but must come from within that country. In that regard, recent developments have indicated that there may be a need for re-examining constitutional issues and the election process in Bosnia-Herzegovina. Croatia has welcomed the political changes in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (FRY). Our future relations will be dependent on Yugoslavia's respect for Bosnia-Herzegovina and the resolution of several issues between our two countries. As circumstances allow, Croatia would like to see the FRY and Bosnia within the Euro-Atlantic community. This would greatly contribute to our common security. After many years of stalemate, talks on succession between representatives of the former Yugoslav republics have recently shown some promising signs. Additionally, the Croatian and FRY Foreign Ministers recently met and agreed to arrange bilateral talks on bringing about a resolution of the Prevlaka peninsula issue, where a UN observer mission is currently stationed. Croatia is co-chairing the third working table on security within the Stability Pact. The NAC has been recently briefed on the establishment of the Regional Arms Control Verification and Implementation Assistance Centre (RACVIAC), a joint German-Croatian initiative within the Stability Pact, with representatives from 18 countries. Croatia is also chairing SEEGROUP, and has actively contributed to the development of SEECAP (SEE Common Assessment Paper on Regional Challenges and Opportunities), a comprehensive outline of security challenges as well as opportunities for cooperation in the region. Our increased efforts and contributions to regional initiatives such as the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative, the Quadrilateral Cooperation and the Southeast European Defence Ministerial (SEDM) represent our commitment to regional co-operation. Thank you for your attention.