Madrid, Spain June 2003

Remarks by His Excellency Mr. Irakli Menagarishvili, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Georgia at the Madrid EAPC Ministerial June 4, 2003 Mr. Secretary General, Dear Colleagues, It is clear to all of us that the new system of European security is based on the transformed European and Euro-Atlantic organizations. NATO is the only organization of collective defence in Europe that fully attends to the security interests of the Member States, being capable of addressing the existing threats and challenges. The Euro-Atlantic Alliance is primarily the unity of nations sharing common values and principles. Promoting democracy, human rights and freedoms is the most effective way towards a more secure and stable Europe. The Open door policy of NATO has helped many countries to enhance democratic reforms in search of the NATO membership. Some have already joined the community of western democracies while others, Georgia in particular, are on the way of reforms leading to Euro-Atlantic integration. The security policy of Georgia is based on the principle that security in the Euro-Atlantic area is indivisible and Georgia is an integral part of it. Georgia folly shares internationally accepted democratic values and principles. In order to take up its share of responsibility for ensuring peace and stability on the European continent, Georgia aspires to join the community of Euro-Atlantic Democratic States. By integrating into the Euro-Atlantic System Georgia aims at becoming not only a "consumer" but also a "provider" of security in the region. We are fully committed to conduct a process of reforms in the security sector along with the other democratic changes in the country. Major steps to be taken in this direction are highlighted in the State Program of Euro-Atlantic Integration of Georgia. At present we are working on IPAP, the new initiative proclaimed at the Prague summit. Georgian IPAP will also be focused on the reformation process. The Georgian Government fully realizes that the road of reforms will not be easy and unpopular actions will be necessary to resort to. It should be stressed in this regard that the policy of integration is facilitating the process of internal reforms in the country and therefore we are confident that this is a way towards the Euro-Atlantic integration and Georgia will succeed on it. Until today we have demonstrated that Georgia aspires to be abreast of the states that are contributing to international security. We have joined the anti-terrorist coalition since the early stage of its activities and made our contribution to it. The Georgian leadership has made clear its unequivocal support to the US Administration in its stance on Iraq, considering that Iraq's WMD programs and its reluctance to cooperate with the international community present a matter of serious concern for the entire world. When talking about our role and place in the Euro-Atlantic security system, we should take into account those obstacles which regrettably abound along the road - specifically, aggressive separatism, unresolved conflicts, foreign military presence and the unrest in our neighborhood. The successful removal of these obstacles is a necessary precondition for providing a stable political, economic and social environment in the region. One of the main strategic economic functions of Georgia and of the Caucasus region as a whole is to link Asia and Europe. Therefore, the attention of the region's countries is focused on the development of the transportation infrastructure and communications. This has brought about new challenges as the corridors we are working on could also be used by international terrorists and criminal forces for arms and drugs smuggling and human trafficking. In order to avoid it, we should develop cooperation at the regional level against these threats in such spheres as export control, border protection and customs regulation. This very topic was the main one at the last GUUAM Foreign Ministers' meeting in Tbilisi, where a decision was made to work out and implement, with the support of our American friends, a joint trade and transportation facilitation project. Another important issue in our region leading to the exacerbation of new challenges is the uncontrolled territories, the so-called "white spots", where the control by the democratically elected authorities is not feasible. As our experience shows, these very zones provide havens for the concentration of the above-said criminal activities. Handling these factors is very important in achieving stability in the Euro-Atlantic space. In this regard, Georgia must also cope with challenges that are arising from developments beyond its borders. Today, no state can insulate itself from instabilities in neighboring countries that may lead to an outbreak of internal violence and seriously disrupt economic development by hindering trade and discouraging investment. Mr. Chairman, Today our aspiration towards integration into the Euro-Atlantic structure is irrevocable. Our Parliament has confirmed that membership to NATO is a basic priority of Georgia and our President has declared our intent at the Prague summit. We know that there still are a number of impediments to be overcome on our way to membership, but our endeavors will be consistent as we fully acknowledge that this is a must for my country's future, its security and democratic development. Thank you