Statement
by
H.E. Tonino Picula, Minister of Foreign Affairs
of the Republic of Croatia at the Meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership
Council in Foreign Ministers Session
Mr. Chairman, dear colleagues,
The Basic Document of the Euro Atlantic Partnership Council stipulates
the fight against international terrorism as one of the key specific areas
on which Allies and Partners would consult and cooperate- In 1997 when
the document was being adopted in Portugal, this was just one of a series
of practical issues offered to Partners as a testing ground on which they
would formulate their added value and build interoperability structures
based on their needs and capabilities.
However, the most tragic event of September 11 altered this evolutionary
development of Partnership by introducing terrorism as a major threat-
The terrorist attack carried out against the United States represents
a threat to each and every member of the Euro Atlantic community and to
me entire civilized world. Members of the EAPC family voiced their resentment
and joined 19 Allies in their resolute decisions to do their utmost in
order to combat terrorism. Terrorism has paimxilly shown us that security
is responsibility of all of us and mat only by working together we can
combat this threat.
The role of each country joined in the coalition against terrorism differs
both in its scope and modalities, but one thing is common to all - active
involvement is a prerequisite. There are no by-standers - our capacities
and resources, geographical position and other factors will determine
our precise role in the campaign against international terrorism. As a
representative of a country mat had painfully experienced the lack of
security on its own territory. I would like to emphasize that the contribution
of each country starts on its own territory.
Aware of this need, Croatia has strengthened its overall security measures
and has accelerated the process of the adjustment of its legislature.
It has significantly increased cooperation with neighbouring countries,
both bilaterally and within the framework of regional associations. Furthermore,
Croatia has signed agreements on cooperation against organized crime,
drug abuse and terrorism with 18 countries, whereas 31 more agreements
are to be signed soon. Last weekend Croatia hosted the largest international
political event in its modem history - the Conference of parliamentarians
from the Council of Europe entitled "Democracies faced with Terrorisms.
On this occasion Croatian Head of Parliament voiced the support for the
adoption of an overarching convention against international terrorism.
It goes without saying that national efforts need to be coordinated
and streamlined in order to create synergy. After the attack on the United
States the political and military solidarity of NATO countries demonstrated
the importance of a strong and integrated Alliance. The Partnership enjoys
the benefits of NATO's cooperative approach that harmonizes various military
and non-military aspects. Let me stress that no other organization offers
this synergy- Therefore, fight against terrorism could be used as a driving
force for streamlining existing procedures thus making the Partnership
more operational. A complex and multifaceted challenge like international
terrorism requires coordinated efforts of entire societies. Many of the
required answers already exist within NATO and are open to Partners. Besides
the defence and military expertise, let me mention ongoing cooperation
within the Economic Committee, Civil Emergency Planning, Challenges of
Modem Society and so on. This existing framework should be deepened in
order to answer the scourge of terrorism.
Let me conclude with suggestions of concrete steps to be taken in our
euro-atlantic community that would contribute to tackle the scourge of
terrorism:
Each state should do its utmost to achieve a stable democracy and a sound
economic system, m order to be able to thoroughly respond to terrorism,
we should also revise our legal and security systems.
Countries should fully cooperate with all their neighbors on the issues
such as border control, exchange of information and land, see and air
control. We should make analysis of common threats and answers. SEEGROUP
and SEECAP are two good examples of such co-operation in South East Europe.
Regional countries could envisage creation of joint strategies to answer
such threats.
We could -also consider creation of Special EAPC Forces capable to rapidly
answer to the terrorist activities, possibly within the Operational Capability
Concept.
Finally, let me reiterate that Euro-Atlantic Partnership already plays
a very important facilitating and catalytic role in many aspects.
Croatia wishes to see Partnership evolving in the direction, which would
speed up an intensive interaction between Allies and Partners in a coordinated
and balanced way- Fight against terrorism could be used as an opportunity
for bringing to life a new Partnership beneficial to NATO and Partners
alike.
Thank You.
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