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Dear Colleagues,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

During Latvia's engagement in the EAPC and PfP, these processes have provided valuable opportunities for Latvia to contribute to conflict prevention and crisis management with NATO and partner countries.

In addressing how we have made use of these opportunities, I want to look at three aspects. Firstly, the link that these important processes have with our aspirations to join the Alliance. Secondly, the relevance of the processes within the ongoing debate about European and NATO capabilities. Thirdly, the importance of regional cooperation for improvement of crisis management and conflict prevention.

The link with membership aspirations

In the past year, Latvia has attached particular importance to the Membership Action Plan. We regard the process as a very positive one. Our participation in MAP has helped us to focus and expand our resources. It has increased our interoperability. And along the way, we have also been able to address crisis management issues.

In particular our annual national programme under the MAP refers to the creation of a Crisis Management Centre that has now been established.
Looking at the crisis management and conflict prevention issue more generally, the increasing cooperation within EAPC and PfP has enhanced stability and security. It has had this effect throughout Europe and in this context, I would also like to congratulate my colleague, the Foreign Minister of Croatia, on the occasion of his country joining Partnership for Peace and the Euro Atlantic Partnership Council.

I would also like to mention the joint declaration that was signed last week in Vilnius by the ministers of the nine MAP countries. The process of building Europe whole and free will not be completed until all nine of the aspiring countries will have joined NATO. In Vilnius, all the candidates agreed to work as a team in preparation for the next enlargement and asked to be invited to join the Alliance at the next NATO Summit. We have reached a common stand on enlargement. I would encourage colleagues from the Alliance to do the same.

EAPC and PfP's relevance to European - Atlantic debates

Confronting the crisis over Kosovo last year and restoring peace to the region are exercises that have illustrated the necessity for effective crisis management.
As an aspirant to both the EU and NATO, we welcome the focus on improving European capabilities. However, more Europe does not mean less North America. Let me stress the necessity for a strong transatlantic link and importance of the United States and Canada's involvement in Europe.
Now that Latvia is negotiating with the EU about membership, we strive to be involved in the developing European Security and Defence Policy and consider that both Latvian and joint Baltic contributions should be considered for the EU Headline Goal therefore contributing to improved European crisis management.

Importance of regional cooperation for improvement of crisis management and conflict prevention

Latvia's positive experience of engagement in successful regional co-operation leads us to believe that this can also be of value for future endeavours to improve crisis management and conflict prevention.

For example, the Baltic States' joint Peace Keeping Battalion, BALTBAT, has provided units for peace keeping forces in Bosnia. The joint Air Surveillance system called BALTNET is developed to be compatible with NATO. These and similar joint projects give an added value to PfP and EAPC. By working closely with our immediate neighbours we gain considerable experience for broader forms of EAPC co-operation. In addition, thanks to the support of NATO members and EAPC countries, mutual interests are enhanced through this form of co-operation.

Continued encouragement and support for joint Baltic projects will provide a knock-on effect of increasing our ability to engage in conflict prevention and crisis management in the future.

Thank you.