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| Updated: 23-Jun-2003 | NATO Speeches |
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Thessaloniki, 21 June 2003 |
Remarks by
NATO Secretary General, Lord Robertson Let me begin by thanking the Greek Presidency for the invitation to this Summit. It is an important step in the evolution of the Western Balkans, and that evolution is key to the future security and stability of our continent. The deliberations here today will help the Western Balkan countries move beyond stabilisation and reconstruction, to sustainable security, prosperity and integration into European structures. That goal, which even a few years ago seemed unattainable, is becoming a closer reality. But we are not there yet. I therefore have two messages to begin this discussion, based on my own hands-on experience over the past four years. One message for the region and one for EU leaders. First, everyone in the Western Balkans must keep in mind that this success did not come about by chance. It is the result of economic, political, judicial and military reforms in each of the countries represented here today. These reforms that have often been slow, frequently controversial, and almost always difficult. But they are reforms which have delivered results. So my message, as the leader of the Military Alliance which brought peace to Bosnia-Herzegovina, ended ethnic cleansing in Kosovo, helped prevent civil war in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1) and continues to deploy more than 30,000 troops across the region, is that these reforms must continue. Because the pace at which Western Balkan countries move towards Europe – and NATO - will depend fundamentally on each country’s performance in implementing genuine permanent reforms. And that lies in your own hands. Success is not going to be easy. There is still much to do to build enduring democracies, to root out crime and corruption, and to establish the rule of law. You must also comply fully, and not selectively, with your international obligations, including towards the International Criminal Tribunal. You must do much more to promote ethnic tolerance. And you must cooperate regionally, for example by implementing the Common Platform agreed at the recent Ohrid Conference. The requirements are no surprise. But there simply must be more progress in meeting them if there is to be self-sustaining peace, progress and prosperity in this region. My second message is to the European Union leaders, all of whom are either NATO members or Partners. NATO is committed to helping achieve the goal of a more secure, a more prosperous and more integrated Western Balkans. We will stay for as long as we are needed. This not simply a question of sending troops to ensure stability but of providing expert assistance, building true partnerships and holding out the prospect of eventual Alliance membership Fundamental to this is effective cooperation with the international organisations working towards our common goal – especially the European Union. Javier Solana and I have been a good team on the ground. The Berlin Plus arrangements translated this practice into theory, and Operation Concordia in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, put the theory back into practice. These are the first essential building blocks of the strategic partnership between NATO and the EU to which you are all committed, in the Western Balkans and more generally. My message is that with these foundations in place, it is now up to all of the members of NATO and the EU to work together to move from ad hoc cooperation towards a genuine common strategy, so that we can work seamlessly together from capitals, through Brussels, out to the region. If we can achieve this – not the most difficult challenge on your collective agendas – I am confident that we will, together with the people and governments of the Western Balkans, soon see the day when this region enjoys the peace, security and prosperity it deserves and which the rest of Western Europe takes for granted. Today’s Summit shows us we are on the right path. 
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