NATO Headquarters 9 Dec. 2004

Statement by Mr. Vladimir Norov, First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Uzbekistan at the EAPC Ministerial Meeting, News 08/12/2004 - NATO NATO Foreign Ministers meet in Brussels Events Programme of the Foreign Ministers meeting at NATO HQ on 8 and 9 December 2004 Dear Mr. Chairman, Ladies and Gentleman, Today, in spite of obvious positive changes in Central Asia, achieved thanks to destruction of Taliban and Al-Kaida network in Afghanistan, the level of threat to regional security and stability is still very high. Central Asia, adjoining zones of transnational threats to peace and stability, is again becoming the object of massive expansion of radical religious ideology, aggression by international terrorism and narco-mafia. Under these conditions, significance of the Region as a key element of global security is notably growing. In this regard, Uzbekistan understands the NATO's decision to put special focus on the Central Asia and Caucasus. We hope that this accent in Partnership as well as nomination of the Secretary General's Special Representative on Central Asia and Caucasus would contribute to improving effectiveness of mutually beneficial cooperation between countries of our Region and the Alliance. Events occurred in the world for the last years require development of joint counteraction strategy against the increasing terrorist threat. We in Uzbekistan are confident that our joint anti-terrorist actions should not be limited only to cooperation among military and other power structures. Numerous militant radical movements and groups have become a powerful weapon of international terrorism. While covering their actions by religious dogmas and slogans, they are becoming the centers for "brain washing", poisoning young people's minds, in fact, a training ground, a conveyor belt for future terrorism. Under these circumstances, we can not but be concerned that in some countries extremist movements conduct their activities unimpeded, they spread ideas of inter-confessional and inter-ethnical hatred and actively use information globalization achievements in order to keep millions of people in awe. Against the backdrop of consolidation of international terrorist forces, we must join efforts in fighting and neutralization namely the ideological base and sources of terrorism, take measures to prohibit international extremist organizations activity across the whole Euro-Atlantic area. Strengthening of Central Asian peace and stability is directly related to the situation in Afghanistan. We unequivocally support the efforts taken by the international community and Afghan Government headed by President Karzai on bringing Afghanistan back to peaceful life, ensuring stability and security in the country, its social-economic reconstruction. At the same time, the situation in Afghanistan is aggravated by increasing level of narco-production, which, feeding international terrorism, is becoming the factor not only of regional but global destabilization. In this regard, we believe that NATO, leading ISAF, is capable to make its own contribution to fight against this evil. At that, extending ISAF mission out of Kabul is important. Uzbekistan, as a neighbor of Afghanistan, is ready to provide all possible assistance to ISAF and to ensure necessary conditions. We believe that the Agreement between Uzbekistan and Germany, which has been implemented for two years with good results, is the most successful model of such cooperation. Currently, the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, Sweden and the Netherlands have joined the Agreement, and Spain and Greece are planning to join. Dear Colleges, We consider partner relations with NATO as an effective mean to conduct efficient military reforms aimed at creation of modern, democratic Armed Forces. Uzbekistan thinks that more individualized relations with NATO would promote cooperation in all fields of Partnership, including military reforms. In this context, it is important to retain the principle, in accordance with which Partners themselves should determine the main directions for cooperation according to their priorities. This would promote strengthening of bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Allies as well as Partnership in the framework of EAPC/PfP. We believe that approval of the IPAP and its further institualization would provide a new impulse for development of individualized cooperation with NATO, and it would ensure fruitfulness of cooperation in all Partnership areas. Finally, I would like to reiterate that only by mutual efforts and by taking urgent measures we can achieve success in combating new threats to civilized humanity and provide peace and prosperity for our countries, people and generations to come. Thank you for your attention.