Statement
by
the Deputy Secretary General
of the Ministry of Defence of Estonia
at the EAPC Defence Ministers Meeting
Secretary General, dear colleagues,
The Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council has been an effective
mechanism contributing to peace and stability in the Euro-Atlantic
area and enhancing co-operation between NATO Allies and partner
countries. This kind of a broad forum of partnership will always
remain relevant and necessary, especially m the new post 11
September security environment.
Estonia is confident that the future success of the Euro-Atlantic
Partnership Council lies in capacity-building: the meaningful
EAPC will not just talk but act, not just analyse but prescribe,
not just deliberate but take decisive action.
Above all, EAPC must act together in the international fight
against terrorism because global terror demands global solutions.
Estonia believes; that there are three essential spheres of
co-operation, which could be further developed within the framework
of the EAPC: exchange of information, co-operation for countering
the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, and Civil
Emergency Planning. Estonia considers it important to avoid
any overlapping of activities that would result in inefficiency
and waste of valuable resources.
Estonia has rendered its full support to the international
coalition against terrorism. Since September 11, we have taken
concrete steps to ensure that our political will is backed by
real efforts. On September 24, 2001 the Government Security
Commission adopted an Action Plan for Measures Against Terrorism,
which envisages enhancement of both our internal arrangements
and our participation internationally. This Action Plan is a
living document and can be modified as necessary. Internal measures
include heightening the readiness of the Estonian State institutions
and facilitating greater co-operation between them. Internationally,
we have adopted all of the EU, UN and OSCE anti-terrorist agreements.
Likewise, Estonian legislation fully allows for the domestic
implementation, to the extent applicable, of these international
anti-terrorist rules and regulations.
The goal of our internal efforts and of our international co-operation
are one in the same: prevent and combat money laundering; prevent
financing of terrorist groups and links; allow for implementation
of sanctions; facilitate information exchange among the anti-terrorist
coalition; enhance border control especially in co-operation
with Europol and Interpol. Furthermore, Estonia has heightened
its export control, assessment of domestic security requirements
and taken measures to increase its abilities to assist in providing
humanitarian aid.
Estonia is devoted to adding substance to the future Euro-Atlantic
Partnership. The EAPC/PfP framework has already enabled Estonia
to transfer the reform experience to other countries undergoing
the same process. In this regard, Estonia has developed a good
co-operational relationship with Georgia, Ukraine and - through
the Baltic Defence College -also with Bosnia Herzegovina and
we are ready to continue sharing our expertise with other PfP
countries.
Estonia firmly believes that PfP will remain to be a strong
element of NATO after enlargement. The Euro-Atlantic Partnership
beyond Prague needs a revised agenda, which could include a
comprehensive review of the Individual Partnership Programme
with bearing in mind the specific requirements of each Partner-
A new Partnership Action Plan that allows individual consultations
of partner countries with the Allies in a format that is best
suited to their individual needs will undeniably keep the momentum
of the PfP.
Estonia views participation in international operations as
a joining point where our political commitments to the stability
of the Euro-Atlantic area backed by military contributions.
Presently, Estonia contributes to international Peace Support
Operations in the framework of NATO, the UN, the OSCE and in
previous years in the framework of the WEU. We hold every intention
to continue our participation in PSOs at least on the same level.
Thank you.
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