EAPC's Role in the International Fight Against Terrorism
Address by Dr. Anton Grizold, Minister of Defence, at the
meeting of the EAPC in Defence Ministers Session
Brusseless, 7 June 2002
Mr. Secretary General, dear colleagues,
A key characteristic of the modern security environment is the
complexity of threats at all levels; that is, at individual, local,
national, international, regional and global levels. These complex
threats cannot easily be separated. Terrorism is no exception. The
new aspect, however, is the weapons of mass destruction and means of
their delivery which could end up in hands of terrorists. They could
be used against our populations in a new and frightening way and the
consequences of threat eruption may not only affect large portions of
the civilian population but also destroy the stability of one country,
cross borders and destabilize a much wider area.
Human rights from global perspective are violated and threatened by
international terrorism which has been supported in some dictatorship
regimes and the terrorist net is spread all over the globe.
National states, however, having traditional security instruments
at their disposal and dwelling on patterns of thinking which are
deeply rooted in our consciousness, are far from being an efficient
tool to counter these threats.
What we need is a security framework that underpins a coalition of
countries sharing a set of values, deep commitment to human freedom
and defense priorities. We have developed a mechanism, which served us
well already. I believe that Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council is the
right forum to address this problem and NATO as the defense alliance,
together with its partners, is the key actor in relation to managing
new security challenges.
The EAPC brings together three continents and represents over one
billion of our citizens. This by all means is a remarkable
achievement. But we should not stop here. I believe that EAPC has a
potential to develop into a broad and inclusive security network which
could grow with new partners and gain in importance with new forms of
cooperation among Allies, among Allies and partners, but also among
partners themselves.
On the other hand, partnership is always a two way street. There
could be no real partnership without addressing difficult questions,
without sharing views and without preserving the most valuable
ingredient of the EAPC, that is meaningful security consultations and
joint decision shaping process.
This will also establish a solid basis for efficiently combating
terrorism and other modern security threats. It will not only result
in the defense of the member states, but above all, in ensuring a vast
area of stability, peace and relative economic prosperity.
Besides being a forum for security consultations the EAPC has
another remarkable quality. As pointed out in the report on the role
of the EAPC in the response to terrorism, it also blends together
civilian and military means and practical cooperation tools. In this
regard I would especially like to stress the prominence of the
"The Civil Emergency Action Plan for the Improvement of Civil
Preparedness Against Possible Attacks Against the Civilian Population
with Chemical, Biological, or Radiological Agents." The action
plan is being developed in the EAPC format. It therefore in our view
represents one of the essential pillars of the effective protection of
our population against terrorist attack with NBC agents. Continued
progress of work in this area is therefore extremely important. As an
example of this, Slovenia is hosting the first NATO medical symposium
in September, addressing those Civil/Military medical issues, which
currently have the highest priority for NATO and Partners.
Allow me to conclude with the topic, which I believe was a main
focus for the Alliance's defense ministers yesterday. The new
capabilities! Since the terrorist threat has become a global
phenomena and defense against it based on the broad international
cooperation, I believe that not only the Alliance but also its
partners and future members have to improve certain capabilities to
allow us to work together and also to fight terrorism together.
Partners and Aspirants for the membership in the Alliance are, like
members, transforming their forces and building new
capabilities. Although separated, those two processes should be better
tied together. And if the Alliance decided to streamline its Defense
Capabilities Initiative and focus only on several major areas that the
Alliance needs to improve as a whole, the same should reflect also in
the defense planning of partners. To do that, partners need to be
consulted and involved. And there is a strong reason for that.
Not only that NATO will invite new members, but more importantly,
whether peace support or whatever type of operations, there is a very
high probability that partners will always contribute with their
forces.
Mr. Chairman, ladies and gentlemen.
In light of threats that have emerged in the 21st century, NATO, as
a defense alliance, has remained a central actor in the wider
Euro-Atlantic environment, although its political role is constantly
increasing. Through new capabilities, new members, new partners, and
deeper and meaningful consultation, the Alliance's position will
become even stronger.
Thank you for your attention.
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