Rome, Italy 28 May 2002

Intervention by Guy Verhofstadt, Prime Minister of Belgium at the Meeting of the NATO-Russia Council Chairman, Mister Presidents, Dear Colleagues, This meeting marks a new stage, I would even say a revolution, in the relationship between the North Atlantic Alliance and the Russian Federation. Today, in creating this Council at 20, we give new meaning to the cooperation between the Alliance and Russia. As from today, Russia will be directly associated with formulating our answers to new threats against stability and peace, in Europe and in -the rest of the world. This is crucial for three reasons. First of all, for our relations, which today we raise at a higher level. This is indeed a milestone on the way to uniting the European continent. This has been made possible only because Russian society has profoundly transformed itself during the past decade. The values of democracy, rule of law and free market now constitute the basis of this society. It arc the values that have given rise to the common security interests that we share today. As from today. NATO and Russia will emphasise what unites them. not what separates them. Secondly, through the Rome Declaration, Russia is recognised as a privileged partner. In this climate of confidence, the accession of new members to NATO should no longer raise strong emotions. Enlarging NATO, like adopting the Rome Declaration, is indeed about building the unity of Europe. Above all, it is about putting an end to the injustice caused by the cold war, which divided peoples without any consideration for their most profound aspirations. This is why the Belgian government is in favour of a broad enlargement. Finally and thirdly, this new relationship will reinforce the political and military means at our disposal to defend and promote democracy, peace and stability on the continent and in the world. This Council and this.Cooperation with Russia opens new perspectives in crisis management. In the Balkans for instance, NATO and the European Union already work together, thus avoiding duplication of efforts. We must now further open this cooperation to Russia. Furthermore, all our governments currently face budgetary restrictions. In this context, specialisation, pooling of resources, and even division of tasks and missions are ever more necessary. Of course, this evolution is the result of necessity. But above all, it is possible because of the trust we share. Similarly, these new forms of cooperation will allow us to address together the challenges of war on terrorism. The events of September 11 have shown that all of us, Europeans, Russians, as well as Americans. face threats our societies were not prepared for. Today, to wage this war, we need a whole range of instruments: political, judicial, financial, economic and military. Still, we must be wary of one possible risk. I have no doubt that we must build the largest coalition possible against terrorism. However, in doing so, we can not associate ourselves with whatever regime or use whatever means. Indeed, the best way to combat terrorism is and will remain the defence and the promotion of the values of democracy, free speech, free press and free association. These are precisely the values that terrorism wants to destroy. These are the values that allowed us, in the past, to defeat fascism and communism. And I am sure these values, shared in common, will allow us to overcome terrorism. Thank you.