Press Release M-EAPC- 1(2001)84 8 June 2001

Chairman's Summary of the Meeting of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council In Defence Ministers Session Brussels, 8 June 2001 Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council Defence Ministers met today in Brussels to exchange views on the security environment in the Euro-Atlantic area, to discuss PfP's contribution to crisis management capabilities, and, for those Ministers concerned, to approve new Ministerial Guidance for the Partnership for Peace Planning and Review Process. The Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General to the Balkans, Mr. Carl Bildt, provided his views on recent developments in the Balkans. The Secretary General of NATO informed the EAPC of the decisions and key issues discussed in the 7 June meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Defence Ministers session. Ministers exchanged views on the situation in the Euro-Atlantic area, particularly on Kosovo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1). Ministers welcomed the establishment of a broad-based coalition government in the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and urged continuation of the inter-ethnic dialogue, at the same time supporting the efforts of the authorities in Skopje to isolate the extremist elements whilst avoiding the excessive use of force. Ministers welcomed the elements of a strategy for dealing with the crisis presented by the Minister of Defence of the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia at the meeting. Ministers welcomed the improved military coordination between KFOR and the Ministries of Defence and the Interior in Skopje as well as the conclusion of a Status of Forces Agreement with the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia. Ministers also welcomed the close cooperation between NATO and the EU in addressing the situation. With respect to Kosovo, Ministers re-affirmed their commitment to the full implementation of UNSCR 1244 and support for KFOR's role in creating a safe and secure environment. They noted the significant challenge that organised crime poses to the objectives of the international community, and welcomed the steps being taken by the Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General to enhance law and order. Ministers noted the key supporting role that KFOR will play in the upcoming elections. Turning to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Ministers confirmed their commitment to SFOR, the full implementation of the General Framework Agreement and to the achievement of the goals identified by the Peace Implementation Council. They supported the efforts by the High Representative to counter challenges posed by nationalist violence and separatist activities and welcomed progress towards strengthening state level institutions, in particular the Council of Ministers. Ministers welcomed the intention of the democratic government of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to cooperate towards full implementation of the General Framework Agreement for Peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina as well as UNSCR 1244 with respect to Kosovo. They welcomed the efforts made to promote a peaceful resolution to the problems in Southern Serbia and the consensual re-entry of FRY forces into the Ground Safety Zone. They hoped that all those living in the area would participate in local administrative and political structures, and emphasised the need for the continued implementation of the confidence-building measures. The PfP Planning and Review Process (PARP), which is open to all Partners, has proved to be a very successful tool for developing interoperability between Allied and Partner forces and for developing capabilities for multinational operations in which Allies and Partners take part. Croatia and Ireland are participating in the PARP for the first time. Ministers of Allies and the 19 Partners who take part in the PARP approved the PARP Ministerial Guidance 2001, which sets out the planning assumptions that will guide the further development of the PARP during the coming years. Ministers noted a number of reports on the enhanced and more operational Partnership and NATO's contributions to long-term security and stability in the Balkans through its South East Europe Initiative and support to the Stability Pact. These included the Political-Military Steering Committee Chairman's Report on overall developments in the Partnership for Peace, which highlighted an increase in Partner contribution to PfP programmes. They expressed satisfaction with the steady progress of various ongoing initiatives for enhanced and more operational Partnership and welcomed the expansion of the PfP Trust Fund on Anti-Personnel Landmine Stockpile Destruction to include small arms, light weapons and ammunitions. Ministers expressed satisfaction with the status of implementation of the Operational Capabilities Concept (OCC) and underscored the need to make the necessary resources available in order to allow the elements of the OCC to develop their full potential. Ministers were pleased with the results of the second review of the implementation of the Political-Military Framework for NATO-led PfP Operations, which reflect lessons learned from routine cooperation between NATO and Partners in SFOR and KFOR and also from the crisis management exercise CMX-01 in February. Ministers also noted with appreciation the progress achieved in the context of the PfP Training and Education Enhancement Programme (TEEP). The next meeting of the EAPC Defence Ministers will take place in Brussels, in December 2001. Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.