Statement
by
Mr. Johannes Kyrle,
Secretary General for Foreign Affairs
of Austria
EAPC Foreign Ministers Meeting
Reykjavik, 15 May 2002
Panel I
"The future of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership"
Without any doubt, the enlargement of NATO, the new NATO-Russia relationship
and the emergence of ESDP will also have a significant impact on the development
of the cooperation within the Euro-Atlantic partnership. Our meeting today
represents an important step in this process of reform and adaptations.
But there is still a long way to go.
We welcome yesterday's clear tasking of NAC Ministers to bring forward
the partnership with a view to decide on a package of reforms at the forthcoming
summit meeting in Prague.
Needless to say, full involvement of partners in all deliberations concerning
these reforms is essential for their success. Austria is ready to play
an active role, even more so, as in our view important fundamental questions
remain to be answered.
Today I would like to draw your attention to what we have decided to
call the concept of "flexible geometry". Partnership will have
to continue to address needs and requirements all partners have in common.
But we do believe that increasing the partnership's ability to address
specific needs and requirements of certain groups of partners could further
enhance its efficiency and relevance. This can be seen as a natural consequence
of the principle of self differentiation.
The EAPC Basic Document of 1997 already contains the main parameters
for a more flexible approach. It leaves ample scope for partners to develop
a relationship with the Alliance also "in smaller groups". We
are convinced that working methods could be established that make sure
that the cohesion of the partnership and the interests of both, Allies
and Partners are safeguarded.
The food for thought paper on possible reforms of EAPC-structures presented
by Austria some weeks ago elaborates for example on the idea to create
"concept papers" that - in coordination between Allies and interested
partners - could define the parameters and criteria for specific 19 +
n activities. These concept papers should be circulated also to those
partners who are not interested in this very initiative and contain provisions
for the continuous information of all partners on the activities in the
planned 19+n initiative, thereby ensuring full transparency. Furthermore,
if necessary the possibility to discuss such a concept paper in the EAPC
plenary (at 46) could be envisaged.
It goes without saying that nobody desires to create new dividing lines
within the Euro-Atlantic partnership. But it is our opinion that we do
not need to be more restrictive than for example the EAPC Basic Document
which - not to be forgotten - forms the fundamental "acquis"
of our relationship.
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