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21.6.2005
Address Your Excellencies, Welcome to the 2005 Annual Security Review Conference. I'm fully confident that the ASRC is a framework for reviewing the activities undertaken and for tabling new ideas with a view to strengthening security and stability. Our agenda is primarily inspired by the OSCE Strategy to Address Threats to Security and Stability in the 21st Century, adopted at the 2003 Ministerial Council in Maastricht. Reflecting the OSCE's comprehensive approach to security, the number and range of topics to be covered in this meeting is wide. I suggest that we focus our work on three main areas of discussion following the adopted agenda. 1. Firstly, is the OSCE response adequate for addressing the threats that have been identified? Two years on, how are we doing? Do we need more tools, or do existing ones simply need to be sharpened and applied? Addressing Threats to Security Upon the assumption of the Chairmanship, we pledged to strengthen the politico-military dimension. We are delivering on that pledge with the firm support of the participating States and I do believe that we are doing well in a number of areas. In this context it is my pleasure to announce a Ministerial statement on the International Convention for the suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. With this statement we pledged all efforts to sign this International Convention in New York on 14 September. This is a practical example how the OSCE adds value to the global fight against terrorism. In counter terrorism, the OSCE - in co-operation with the UN - is playing an important role in assisting participating States to implement universal conventions and protocols relating to terrorism. This is an excellent example of the OSCE fulfilling its role as a regional arrangement of the UN. Since last year's ASRC - which generated a number of ideas that resulted in decisions at the Sofia Ministerial Council - the OSCE has done important work in assisting participating States in reporting lost and stolen passports to Interpol, fighting suicide terrorism, strengthening container security, and enhancing legal cooperation. Further activities are planned, for example a workshop on combating the use of the Internet for terrorist purposes. More needs to be done to address the threat posed by the use of chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear materials for terrorist purposes. The potential results of an explosion of a Radiological Dispersal Device or, worse, a weapon of mass destruction hidden in a container in one of our harbours, train yards, or airports are horrifying. I therefore encourage participating States to take appropriate measures to support the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1540, which aims at preventing individuals and terrorist organisations from laying their hands on and spreading nuclear, chemical and biological weapons. In the same context, we highly appreciate the initiative by the United States and the Russian Federation to support the work of the IAEA with regard to the Code of Conduct and the Guidance on the Import and Export of Radioactive Sources and hope that appropriate action will be adopted soon. In the fight against terrorism, I call on all participating States to live up to commitments that have been made, including in the fields of international human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, and to draw on OSCE resources and expertise like the Informal Group of Friends on Combating Terrorism, the Action Against Terrorism Unit and ODIHR in order to strengthen national and international efforts in this high priority work. Part of the broader challenge is in putting weapons and ammunition out of reach, or even taking them out of circulation. We need to continue our work in controlling the spread of small arms and light weapons, especially anti-aircraft shoulder-fired missiles. And we should intensify our efforts to implement OSCE commitments related to small arms and light weapons and on stockpiles of conventional ammunition. I know that a number of participating States have requested OSCE assistance in destroying weapons and ammunition, and improving stockpile security. We have to admit, that such processes are demanding, both technically and financially. Nevertheless, the OSCE is doing its part and, where possible, works with other international partners in this field - like NATO or EU - to make effective use of resources and comparative advantages. If we want to raise the profile of the OSCE's political-military activities and offer tangible support to states which require support, this is an area that deserves priority attention. Also in this context, we highly value the cooperation between the Permanent Council and the Forum for Security Cooperation. We are planning to have a joint meeting in July to discuss the implementation of the OSCE Documents on the SALW and Stockpiles of Conventional Ammunition. Ww will focus on the cooperation with international organisations and the role of the field presences in the implementation of those projects. We should also focus our attention on grave dangers arising from criminal activities since criminality does not respect borders. That is why we need to pool resources and co-operate across borders. Anti-trafficking is one example of how States can co-operate through the OSCE to seek common solutions to a common problem. Border management and security is an area where the OSCE's co-operative security approach is well-suited to dealing with trans-frontier problems. The OSCE is conducting activities aimed at supporting cross-border co-operation in South Eastern Europe, on bilateral and regional levels. In addition, an OSCE Working Group, tasked at Maastricht, has been drafting a concept that combines the twin objectives of open and secure borders. I urge participating States to finalize the Borders Concept in time for the Ljubljana Ministerial Council and to strengthen the OSCE's capabilities for assisting States on border-related activities. Policing remains an area where the OSCE can play an important role. Many conflicts in the contemporary world stem from a break-down or absence of law enforcement. Crime and extremism flourish in grey zones plagued by corruption, intolerance, and fear. In fragile environments, political disagreements can deteriorate into lawlessness. Civil structures can not take root without basic law and order. This is even more valid for post-conflict situations. Law and order must be based on good governance and not just strong governance. Police who break up protests by shooting into crowds of civilians can not be regarded as upholding the rule of law. That is why law enforcement is vital, and the OSCE's police assistance activities should be strengthened. Issues that Require Closer Attention Some issues in the Strategy have thus far received limited attention. One is migration. We therefore decided to make this a central theme of the recent Economic Forum and Human Dimension Seminar. Combating illegal migration is a major concern. Another is the challenge of integration of migrants and respect for diversity.. Migration is close to the top of the agenda of many of our countries, and we all seek effective solutions. It is also a theme that relates closely to discrimination and tolerance, which is a high-profile and high-priority issue for the OSCE. I believe that between the conclusions of the Human Dimension Seminar, the Economic Forum and the recent meeting in Cordoba Conference, we have plenty of ideas to build on in order to prevent violence, intolerance, extremism and discrimination and to foster integration. Another area that deserves our constant attention is early warning, conflict prevention and resolution, crisis management, and post-conflict rehabilitation. The OSCE is well suited to deal with these challenges and has a lead role in resolving the conflicts in South Ossetia, Transdniestria, Nagorno-Karabakh. As far as the area of early warning is concerned, there is plenty of information available to the OSCE, through mission reports, institutions, the Secretariat as well as from participating States and open sources. But do we have the capacity to effectively analyze it, and draw suitable conclusions that can trigger early action? This could be considered as part of the reform process. Another area that needs more attention is the role of women in conflict management. The Slovenian Chairmanship would like to congratulate Sweden for its initiative to hold a seminar focusing on the role of women in conflict prevention and crisis management. We fully share the view that this important question needs to be addressed. We welcome a follow up to this seminar at the Ministerial Council in Ljubljana. Furthermore, when considering the OSCE's ability to address specific threats of a political-military nature, we would do well to consider how confidence and security-building measures could be more effectively used in crisis situations. That is why we should review them and update them if necessary. I also believe that the time is ripe to review military doctrines in the OSCE area, and I strongly support a proposal for a high level seminar on that issue. A Coherent, Strategic Approach A key element for enhancing our effectiveness is addressing threats to security and stability in a strategic and holistic approach. It is not enough that we meet once a year in this format to brainstorm and to compare notes. The implementation of the Threats Strategy should be co-ordinated on an on-going basis. After all, threats to security are cross-dimensional yet inter-linked. We also need to connect the dots and look comprehensively at how one issue affects another, and how the Organization should respond. In short, we need a more co-ordinated, strategic and analytical basis for combating these threats, without putting the good work of various units and institutions into a straight-jacket. We should also try to engage the Forum for Security Co-operation more into the main-stream of the OSCE consultative and decision-making processes. At the same time, we should work with others to see how the OSCE's activities fit into broader international efforts to tackle contemporary threats to security. As the Maastricht Strategy points out, "no single State or organization can, on its own, meet the challenges facing us today." For example, reforms in the United Nations provide an opening for further developing our relations as a regional arrangement. Based on the Platform for Co-operative Security, the OSCE should continue to strengthen co-operation with other regional and sub-regional organizations in the OSCE area, through information exchange, joint planning and projects, and cross-representation at major events. We could, for example, use the recently agreed Declaration of Co-operation between the Council of Europe and the OSCE as a model for other co-operative agreements, focusing in particular on practical activities. I believe that such co-operation is particularly important for crisis management and for joint projects. The Maastricht Strategy emphasized the need for enhanced co-operation with the Mediterranean and Asian Partners for Co-operation as a way to address the potential spill-over of security threats between adjacent regions, as well as to encourage voluntary implementation of OSCE principles and commitments. I am encouraged by the ideas put forward at the Mediterranean Seminar in Sharm-el-Sheikh last November and at the OSCE-Korea Conference in Seoul two months ago. I am pleased that our Partners for Co-operation have joined us at the table today. It should also be noted that this year, for the first time, the agenda of the ASRC includes a joint side event with both the Mediterranean and Asian Partners for Co-operation. This is a concrete reflection of how we regard our security as indivisible, and how we value the exchange of views that partnership provides. Ladies and Gentlemen, The programme is very full. I will therefore conclude my remarks and leave you to generate plenty of proposals that will hopefully contribute to strengthening the OSCE's work in the political-military dimension, bearing in mind the importance of this task for the stability of our states and our region. Thank you for your attention. Celotno besedilo si lahko preberete tudi tukaj:
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