Intervention by H.E. Mr. Andris Bērziņš,
Prime Minister of the Republic of Latvia
at the Summit of the Vilnius Group Countries
The Spring of New Allies
Bucharest, Romania, 25 March 2002
Mr. Chairman,
Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
First of all I would like to thank Prime Minister Adrian Nastase and his team for the excellent organization of this meeting and the hospitality extended to us.
The topic of todays discussion is New Threats, New Allies. In recent years the relevance of NATO has been questioned several times. However, in times of trouble, be it a crisis in Kosovo or the war against terrorism, the Alliance became the instrument of first choice for international community.
It is hard to imagine that the International Tribunal in The Hague would now be prosecuting Mr. Milosevich for war crimes or that al-Qaeda members would be running out of places to hide if NATO did not exist. For those of us gathered here there is no question about the need for the Alliance, its relevance and its abilities. But the most recent events, and here I mean the terrible acts of terrorism on September 11, have proved once more that we are living in a rapidly changing world and that we need to adapt to be able to face the new threats.
The countries of the Vilnius group V10 are prepared to do just that. The response of the NATO candidates to the challenge of terrorism has shown that their sense of security mirrors that of the Alliance members. As NATO declared its Article 5 operational, the candidate countries, not least in the South Eastern Europe, were offering their air space, screening their bank accounts and tightening legislation. Moreover, Romania and Bulgaria have now offered forces to the International Security Assistance Force, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia are going to participate in the Enduring Freedom operation.
The challenge of terrorism has brought home to us a heightened awareness that proliferation of weapons of mass destruction is a very real threat that can and will come back and haunt us unless energetic action is taken to strengthen the export, import and transit controls. It has also made us realize that no country is able to face this challenge alone. Therefore Latvia as one of the first countries in our region has signed an agreement with the United States on cooperation in preventing proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. This cooperation will allow us to improve our capabilities in preventing the spread of dangerous weapons thus making a real contribution to European and Trans Atlantic security.
The new threats, such as terrorism and proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, are international in their nature. In the age of globalization threats have to be countered with a global response. The campaign against terror is far from being over but establishing a worldwide coalition has largely ensured the initial success. NATO and the aspirant countries form the core of that coalition. We consider that the Alliance provides the best mechanism for improving collective capabilities to face the threat of terrorism.
Mr. Chairman,
We still collectively face the challenge of ensuring a lasting peace in multiethnic societies in the Balkans that have gone through very difficult times. Here I would especially like to commend our Southern colleagues. The aspirant countries of the region Albania, Bulgaria, Croatia, Macedonia and Romania have made and continue to make a vital contribution to putting the region on the right track. Their accession to NATO would reinforce the basis for democratic peace and give a clear prospect for prosperous future of the whole region.
We in Northern Europe have been lucky to live in a peaceful neighborhood. This has allowed us to concentrate on our reforms and has enabled us to assist others. Latvia and its Baltic neighbors have participated in all NATO-led peacekeeping missions in the Balkans and have supported the democratic reforms in the region. We are ready to continue these efforts including sharing our experience accumulated in the Membership Action Plan process. Another area where we can help is regional cooperation.
We have developed a high culture of cooperation in Northern Europe. Baltic cooperation, Nordic cooperation as well as Nordic Baltic cooperation are well known. Baltic cooperation has enabled us to join forces in developing our societies and defense forces. Joint Baltic projects such as BALTBAT and BALTNET allow us to develop better capabilities and testify to our ability to assume obligations of NATO membership.
Baltic Sea cooperation consisting of eleven countries also includes Russia, that we see as a part of Europe whole and free. The Council of Baltic Sea States, the Northern Dimension of the EU as well as the US North European Initiative are effective instruments to ensure productive cooperation with Russia. Regional initiatives along with close cooperation between NATO and Russia, EU and Russia are clearly beneficial to all sides and to stability and security in Europe.
The countries of the Vilnius group have gone a long way in reforming their societies, economies and armed forces. We are doing it for ourselves, but we are also doing it to become fully-fledged members of the Euro Atlantic community. Last week I was in Brussels to discuss Latvias preparations for joining NATO with the North Atlantic Council. While I was pleased to hear good words about our accomplishments I also realized that our preparations would, in fact, never be over. For all of us receiving an invitation in Prague will be just a beginning of the road, not the end of it. For the time being I wish all of us strength and courage to get to the beginning of this road. I am confident that together we can make it.
Thank you very much for your attention.
