Det Udenrigspolitiske Nævn 2007-08 (2. samling)
Bilag 14
Offentligt
Chairman’s statementMeeting of the NATO-Russia Council at the level of Heads of State and Governmentheld in BucharestPress Release (2008)050, 4 Apr. 2008The Heads of State and Government of the NATO-Russia Council met today in Bucharest andresolved to enhance their work as 27 equal partners to respond together to the multi-facetedsecurity risks we have in common. They renewed their commitment to the goals, principlesand objectives set forth in the Founding Act and the Rome Declaration. They affirmed that theNRC was conceived as a strategic element in fostering Euro-Atlantic security, proceeding fromthe principle that the security of all states in the Euro-Atlantic community, to which theybelong, remains indivisible. Our partnership has already had a good history of over adecade. During that time, NRC member states have developed a political dialogue on a broadrange of international security issues and concrete projects where they have common goalsand interests.As dialogue among its members has broadened and intensified, the NRC has proven to be auseful forum for frank and open exchanges including on issues where views have differed, suchas: NATO's Transformation including enlargement; missile defence; the Treaty on ConventionalArmed Forces in Europe (CFE) and Kosovo. NRC member states will remain committed to thelong-term viability of the CFE Treaty Regime. NRC member states will continue, in accordancewith the relevant provisions of the Rome Declaration and subsequent decisions of the NRC, toseek, through continued dialogue as part of a multi-faceted approach, to facilitate resolution ofoutstanding CFE issues. Acknowledging differences on Kosovo, the NRC remains committed tobringing about a stable, democratic, multi-ethnic, peaceful, and secure future for the WesternBalkans. NRC members called on all in the Western Balkans to renounce violence and to avoidany actions that could undermine the security and rule of law in the region. Issues related tosecurity in Kosovo remain high on their agenda. The NRC will continue its open and activedialogue on Missile Defence, despite differences on this matter.The NRC agreed that the success of international efforts in support of the Afghan Governmentin promoting peace and stability in and around Afghanistan is of utmost importance. Towardsthat end, a mechanism has been defined to facilitate land transit through Russian territory ofgoods to ISAF in accordance with UNSCR 1386. Recognising the threat of narcotics traffickingin the region, the NRC today also decided to make the NRC Pilot Project for Counter-NarcoticsTraining of Afghan and Central Asian Personnel an ongoing NRC initiative.The fight against terrorism remains a key area of NRC cooperation. The NRC will continue itswork in implementing the NRC Action Plan on Terrorism, in particular efforts to deny terroristsaccess to Weapons of Mass Destruction. The NRC highly values its continued navalcooperation in the framework of NATO’s Operation Active Endeavour in the Mediterranean,which continues to make a significant contribution to the fight against terrorism. The Heads ofState and Government of the NRC tasked the NRC to expedite work on the NRC’s joint projectto counter terrorist threats to civil aviation, the Cooperative Airspace Initiative (CAI), so thatthe CAI system will reach its initial operational capability by the end of 2008 and fulloperational capability about the end of 2009.1
The NRC will continue to enhance its dialogue in support of efforts against proliferation of WMDand their means of delivery.The Heads of State and Government of the NRC commended progress in the NRC projecttowards developing interoperability among respective Theatre Missile Defence systems. TheNRC conducted a successful Theatre Missile Defence exercise in January 2008 inGermany. Offers put forward by other NRC members to host exercises in future were alsoappreciated. Defence and military cooperation within the NRC has also helped to promoteinteroperability and transparency. The NRC will continue to enhance military to military work,as it enters a phase where more practical activities are pursued, as demonstrated, forexample, by the successful endeavours in Search and Rescue at Sea. The Heads of State andGovernment of the NRC have tasked the NRC to intensify efforts to conclude a FrameworkAgreement on Air Transport and subsequent Implementing Arrangements for the use ofRussian Armed Forces’ air transport capability. The NRC also values the positive results of theNATO-Russia Centre for the Resettlement of Discharged Military Personnel from the RussianArmed Forces.The NRC will enhance its important cooperation in civil emergency planning, scientific andenvironmental projects, to increase its preparedness and protection against acts of terrorism,and natural and man-made disasters.The Heads of State and Government of the NRC are convinced that there remains ample roomfor increasing public awareness of NRC activities, including through the internet (www.nato-russia-council.info).To this end, they tasked the NRC to expedite work to facilitate otherforms of dialogue among political scientists; the academic community; research institutions;and other relevant organisations.Six years after its creation, the NATO-Russia Council has proven itself to be a key instrumentfor political dialogue, consensus-building, cooperation and joint decision-making by its 27members acting in their national capacities and in a manner consistent with their collectivecommitments and obligations. The Heads of State and Government of the NRC reaffirmedtheir determination to continue to work in this constructive spirit in the future to ensure theNRC fulfils its potential by identifying and pursuing opportunities for joint action on a widerange of security issues.
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