Bulgarian Parliament Building Sofia, Bulgaria, 8 July 1999

Speech by the Secretary General Ministers, Members of Parliament, Ladies and Gentlemen, Let me begin very simply -- by congratulating Bulgaria on your contribution to resolving the Kosovo crisis. Through your actions over the last few months, you have demonstrated as clearly as possible that Bulgaria is, indeed, a member of the Euro-Atlantic community -- the community of shared values. In Kosovo, our values have prevailed. Together, we have stopped the ethnic cleansing. Yugoslav security forces have left Kosovo. An international security force, with NATO at its core, is now in Kosovo to ensure a safe and secure environment for all its citizens. Today, the Kosovo Albanians that had been expelled from their homes and their country are returning by the thousands. This is a very positive development. But that in itself is not enough. Our goal is a multi-ethnic Kosovo, where all communities, including the ethnic Serbian communities of Kosovo, are secure in their homes, and participating in a genuinely democratic society. Over the last decade, we have had so much success in making our vision of a free and democratic Europe a reality. Countries formerly under authoritarian governments have become democracies. States from one end of Europe to the other have made the difficult transition from central planning to market economies. Border disputes are being settled amicably, and minority issues solved through diplomacy. And the process of formal European integration is continuing, through the enlargement of NATO and the EU. The Euro-Atlantic area of our vision is taking shape. South-Eastern Europe is an integral part of this vision. This entire region is making the transition towards democracy, towards good neighbourly relations, towards integration. And Bulgaria, in particular, has been making great strides in recent years to adopt very positive policies of integration and cooperation. There is one exception to this positive trend in South Eastern Europe -- Yugoslavia. Over the last ten years, Mr. Milosevic has been responsible for four wars, thousands of deaths, and millions of displaced people. He alone has placed the entire region of South Eastern Europe under an enormous cloud of political instability and economic deprivation. That is why it has been so positive to see the countries of this region participate in the international campaign to bring peace and security to Kosovo. You clearly recognise that there could be no lasting peace in this region if Milosevic was not stopped. And NATO's Partners in South Eastern Europe have, from the beginning, played a vital role in supporting the international efforts to bring the crisis to an end. We are grateful for such staunch support. It is certainly no surprise that Bulgaria has played such a positive role during this crisis. Your country has consistently demonstrated that it is ready and willing to contribute to international security. Bulgaria was one of the first countries to join the Alliance's Partnership for Peace, and has enjoyed a robust programme of cooperation with NATO since 1994. Your Atlantic Club is one of the most active organizations supporting the Alliance. In Bosnia, Bulgaria has contributed actively to the work of the NATO-led Implementation and Stabilisation Forces in this country. And Bulgaria is showing dedicated efforts, which the Alliance has recognised, in preparing its candidacy for possible future NATO membership. The determination and clear resolve of the Bulgarian people and its Government have come to the fore again, this time over Kosovo By lending your political support to NATO's actions, you strengthened the international coalition opposing President. Milosevic. Through your practical assistance to NATO's operations -- in particular, by allowing NATO pilots access to your airspace -- you demonstrated clearly that Bulgaria is determined to back up its words with actions. And now, with KFOR deploying quickly into Kosovo, Bulgaria is making a further contribution by opening its air space and general access routes for the international forces, as well as by providing troops. Let me stress how much we appreciate that contribution. We are aware that this conflict has resulted in real economic difficulties in Bulgaria, and the entire region. The international community, including NATO, is determined to assist in the economic reconstruction of the entire region. This project of economic reconstruction is part of our larger vision for the future of South Eastern Europe. A future in which South Eastern Europe ceases to be a source of instability and conflict; a future in which this region enjoys stability and prosperity - at peace with itself and the rest of Europe. A future in which even Serbia embraces the values shared across the Euro-Atlantic area - democracy, respect for human rights - and rejoins the European family. The international community intends to approach this project in a coordinated and comprehensive way, rather than ad-hoc. We intend to look at this area as a region -- as South Eastern Europe. We will foster democracy across the region. We will foster prosperity across the region. And we will foster Euro-Atlantic values across the region -- the values of tolerance, of multiculturalism, of peace, and of justice. NATO cannot do this alone. The European Union and the OSCE will play leadership roles in this project. But NATO will contribute -- because in South Eastern Europe, security matters. That is why, at the Washington Summit, NATO created a consultative forum on security matters on South Eastern Europe. We will also build on the existing mechanisms of the Partnership for Peace and the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council to give substance to our promise of assistance to Partners in the region. We will promote regional co-operation; set up security co-operation programmes for the countries in the region; and give our PfP activities and exercises a stronger regional focus. NATO will also cooperate closely in the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe, launched by the European Union. This Stability Pact will coordinate and deepen the investment the entire international community is making to build lasting, self-sustaining peace and prosperity. NATO is also making another long-term investment in European stability -- through its ongoing enlargement process. At the Washington Summit in April, NATO confirmed its assessment of Bulgaria as a serious membership aspirant. And at the same time, we added another element that will reinforce our commitment to further enlargement-- the Membership Action Plan. Through this program, NATO will give advice, assistance and practical support to countries aspiring to membership. The relationship between Allies and membership aspirants will become more "interactive", and we will work proactively with you to help you come closer to the Alliance. Ladies and Gentlemen, Bulgaria's commitment to integration in Euro-Atlantic institutions is a very welcome development. Over the last few years in particular, Bulgaria has demonstrated clearly that it will be part of this process - through internal reforms, through efforts to build regional ties, and through deepening cooperation with the rest of the Euro-Atlantic community. The military contribution to the peace implementation force now going into Kosovo only enhances that reputation. Bulgaria's achievements prove that, in today's Europe, geography is no longer destiny. It is now inevitable that the countries of this region will continue to draw even closer to each other, and to the rest of the Euro-Atlantic area. In this bold endeavour, I can only wish the people of Bulgaria much continued success -- and congratulate you on making such a good start.