Address
of
H.E. Slobodan Casule,
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia
at the Meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council
at the Level of Foreign Ministers
The
Adaptation of the Alliance and its impact on Partnership
Mr. Secretary General,
Distinguished colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Allow me to begin my short address by emphasizing my conviction
that the discussions on this important topic are very timely
the evolution of the Euro Atlantic Partnership is in the phase
that corresponds with the process of revision of NATO in response
to the new global security challenges. The Euro-Atlantic Partnership
is ripe to define and consolidate its new and more responsible
place in the new global security concept.
It is without any doubt that we should have a new kind of Alliance
for the new challenges facing our world, and that a joint and
un-compromised action should be an answer to the evil the world
has been facing ever since September 11th.
The most dangerous potential for terrorism, crisis and conflicts
is concentrated in the strategic triangle between the Middle
East, the Caucasus and the Balkans. The Alliance will have to
shift its strategic focus and resources toward these vertices.
The Caucasus and the Middle East are focal points of a greater
magnitude, dangerous but, out of the Euro-Atlantic geo-political
and strategic area, not directly within what we might call "NATO
jurisdiction".
Although both points have a serious effect on Europe and its
allies, Canada and the US, on NATO as a whole, the Balkans,
being an integral part of Europe, are by definition, necessity
and deed of paramount priority for the Alliance. They are Europe,
and no serious, far-reaching and long lasting strategy for continental
security and stability is possible without the consolidation
of this European region. For that matter no lasting world peace,
stability and prosperity is possible, without a stable Balkans,
a consolidated and democratic Balkans.
The Balkans are a challenge for NATO, but also proof of its
ability to adapt to challenges of this magnitude. Adapt in the
sense to provide solutions, not only means and muscle.
My country, the Republic of Macedonia is and excellent example
of this. As a partner it provided our Alliance with assistance
equivalent to that of a full member in a historic operation
that undoubtedly changed not only NATO, but also the world the
way we knew it the Kosovo crisis.
When faced with a spillover effect and a crises that could
have had devastating consequences, NATO helped the Republic
of Macedonia, as it would a full member, not only by supporting
political solutions as a prevention against a civil war, but
by guaranteeing those solutions.
NATO adapted itself to an unprecedented challenge. The Republic
of Macedonia gave proof of its maturity, stable institutions
and Euro-Atlantic orientation.
What we have to do now is to consolidate, ensure the durability
of these NATO-Macedonian solutions, put them into practice with
the necessary amount of adaptations, elsewhere in the region
in order to prepare it for full membership.
I am convinced that the integration of all of the countries
of South East Europe into the Alliance is not only a political,
but also a strategic imperative. It is an imperative for the
countries concerned, and the Alliance alike.
I also believe that we share the understanding that the security
in the Euro-Atlantic zone is inseparable. Every crisis or instability
in some part of this zone will sooner or later generate new
sources of crises. Therefore, the idea of one Europe - whole
and free - is a common goal for all the alliance, members and
candidate countries alike, and should be our guiding light in
the deliberations for the Prague Summit.
The enlarged and adapted Alliance will not only better protect
the national sovereignty and geopolitical interests of its members,
but will also provide unhindered development of the democratic,
political and economic systems in all countries of the Euro-Atlantic
zone, thus strengthening peace and stability in general.
I believe that the Alliance and the Partners should increase
the transparency and interaction both inside the EAPC (between
the Alliance and the partners) and outside (with other relevant
international and regional organizations and initiatives), including
different modalities of participation in the EAP (like observers,
guests) and different formats (All+1, All+n).
They should make its partnership more attractive to different
individual needs and interests, through consolidating the balance
between the principles of: flexibility, unity, inclusiveness
and diversity by using different instruments, formats and frameworks
built on individual, regional, functional and project-oriented
basis;
A bigger share of responsibilities has to be assumed by partners,
and their partners' contribution to EAP work has to be enhanced
(including introducing civilian Partnership Staff Elements (PSE)
in the NATO International Staff, extension of military PSE,
extension of PfP Internship program), and augment their role
in decision making;
To bring closer the EAPC and PfP, their integration and harmonization
and increase the practical effectiveness of the EAP;
- "Rediscover" the basic documents of the EAPC and
PfP, continue with their implementation and identify need for
possible adaptation, etc.
Macedonia possesses significant experience created through
the years of practical cooperation with the Alliance, in order
to define in this manner the ideas for perfecting the values
and capabilities of the Alliance and the partnership. This experience
and the support of NATO were particularly valuable for us in
the period of settlement of last year's conflict in the Republic
of Macedonia.
Your Excellencies, allow me to end of my statement, by emphasizing
my firm belief that the historic Prague Summit should result
with an enlarged and adapted Alliance, based on a strengthened
European pillar and the Euro-Atlantic link with bigger operational
capabilities to respond to the global security challenges; with
strengthened Partnership in general (in the EAPC/PfP) and with
individual partner-countries, starting with Russia and Ukraine;
and with stronger substance in the continuing process of its
Enlargement.
In Prague, my country, the Republic of Macedonia, will confirm
itself as a stable and strong producer of security in the Region
of SEE and in the whole Euro-Atlantic Area, a reliable contributor
in peace missions, and as such, in the spirit of the Vilnius
Group, as a strong nominee for joining the Alliance.
Thank you.
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