Opening remarks

by NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer
at the Ambassadorial meeting
of the South-East Europe Security Cooperation
Steering Group (SEEGROUP)

Ambassadors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It gives me great pleasure to address you at this Ambassadorial meeting of the “South-East Europe Security Cooperation Steering Group” – or SEEGROUP.

Seven years ago, when NATO proposed the creation of this forum as part of its South-East Europe Initiative, the SEEGROUP was merely an experiment: a fresh approach to regional security cooperation in a region that had seen far too little of it.  At the time, no one knew for sure whether the SEEGROUP would ever deliver what we thought it might.

Today, we can confidently say that the SEEGROUP has met our initial expectations – and that it has indeed exceeded them.  This forum has clearly established itself as a framework in which participating nations are able to share their experiences, help one another, and benefit from the advice and assistance of NATO countries.  In short, the SEEGROUP has turned into a real success story.

NATO can take considerable credit for this success.  Ultimately, however, it is the strong sense of common purpose among the countries of the region that accounts for the many positive changes that we have seen in recent years.  If the entire region has become more stable and secure, if democracy has spread and economies have grown, it is because the countries in the region have realised that many of the challenges they face are common challenges – challenges that are best addressed by working together.

Right from the start, the SEEGROUP has brought important added value.  Indeed, before Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia were admitted to the Partnership for Peace last year, the SEEGROUP was their only institutional interface for regular discussions with the NATO Allies.

Regional ownership has always been a key principle of the SEEGROUP.  And the reason for this is clear:  reforms can only be successful if they are driven by the countries concerned.  This is also why the chairmanship of the SEEGROUP has been rotating among countries from the region.  Earlier this year, Croatia assumed the Chairmanship for the second time, and I would like to use this opportunity to commend Zagreb for the skill and professionalism with which it has met this task. 

Pragmatism and flexibility have been other important SEEGROUP principles.  This has been reflected in the group’s focus on concrete projects and initiatives.  In the transparent, result-oriented way in which information is exchanged and cooperation coordinated.  And the very open manner in which the SEEGROUP has been working together with other fora.

The SEEGROUP has been able, in particular, to support the Stability Pact.  There has been a very open, constructive process of vetting and consolidating the numerous individual projects that are put before the Stability Pact’s Working Table on Security Issues.  Representatives from the Stability Pact and other international organisations have been closely involved in this work, and that has greatly helped the complementarity and effectiveness of regional and international efforts.

Ambassadors,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Over the past decade, South-East Europe has seen a lot of positive change.  Governments throughout the region have worked hard to overcome the difficulties of the past, and to create a better future for their citizens.

NATO has played its part – and we will continue our strong engagement.  We have deepened our dialogue and cooperation, and have extended it to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Serbia last year.  We have embraced several countries from the region as new members, and are working hard with Albania, Croatia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia to prepare them for membership.  And we continue to keep the peace in Kosovo, and will help it to get on its feet once its status has been decided.

Like NATO, the SEEGROUP has also developed into a real agent of change in South-East Europe.  And so I look forward to the outcome of your discussions today.  They will, I am sure, not only underline the enormous success of this unique initiative to promote regional cooperation – but help us all to exploit the considerable untapped potential that the SEEGROUP still holds.

Thank you.