The Importance of a Stronger Alliance

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Today’s security policy situation could be best described with the words: change and uncertainty. Long-standing threats have faded away, but unfortunately they have been replaced by new and more sinister challenges. Since the end of the cold war-era we have experienced that the threat of traditional war fought between states has diminished. However, at the same time, new security threats have emerged: international terrorism, natural and manmade disasters, or the problems of energy supplies.

Until now we could allow ourselves to concentrate only on one-dimensional security because dangers mostly meant traditional military threats carried out by states.

Today we must take a multi-dimensional approach to our national security. Because, for example, a terrorist attack or a financial crisis like we are experiencing at the moment, along with all its social and security consequences, can occur at any time. Today we can no longer say, as Kissinger did several decades earlier that “Next week there can’t be any crisis. My schedule is already full".

If we want to answer the dangers and challenges of social, economic and ecological threats coming from state and non-state sources then, in the days of globalization, it is not possible to isolate threats individually. In Sudan for example, an ethnic conflict generated a humanitarian catastrophe and therefore illegal migration escalated, so to say problems accumulated and became more widespread.

One of the consequences of our modern, “interconnected world" is that our armed forces will have to engage in averting nonmilitary threats. They also have to take part in dealing with dangers of drug-trade, terrorism or migration. In fact military success can only be lasting, if a stable social-economic platform is created and maintained. Illustration of this can be seen in Afghanistan, which will only become stable by uniting military and civil forces, since they complete and strengthen each other

Due to the continuously changing of security environment military and civilian activities will have to be constantly adapted. The pace of change has quickened significantly in recent times and we must be ready to handle that. Let us just think about the Revolution in Military Affairs, or the boom in the development of information technology.

Solving the problems caused by the accelerating pace of change, or rather the problematic and tremendous global questions – global climate change, international terrorism, or the economic crisis – exceeds the abilities and resources of states individually. I am convinced that this challenge can only be solved by closer cooperation and mutual action.

Ladies and gentlemen.

In the interest of closer cooperation I find developing Trans Atlantic Relations extremely important.

Firstly NATO is not just about ensuring the security of Europe and North America, but it is also the cornerstone of global security. NATO has the tools and possibilities at its disposal with which it can provide and maintain global security. The alliance’s power is needed to secure peace. The lasting Balkan crisis could not have been solved had it not been for the intervention of our Alliance. Now the Balkan states are more stable and they are on the way to Euro-Atlantic integration.

Secondly: No one county is able to manage the new-type security challenges alone. The solution to these new threats such as terrorism, ecological changes and energy security is NATO. Since we, members of the Alliance, are able to act together and to find common solutions to global problems. We have the strength and the common will to undertake joint efforts. For instance the Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre was established as a result of our common struggle against environmental disasters. Other example is the SAC program, which was launched by a group of countries within the Alliance. They initiated the project because of the long-lasting shortage in strategic airlift capability of the alliance. The C-17 fleet will come into operation this year.

I am convinced that we need and even stronger Atlantic Alliance to solve the problems of the 21st century effectively. A stronger NATO also means that we have to set up a stronger military structure. We need to review all the means and possibilities we have to strengthen the military structure.

But how should we start?

First of all, we need a common way of thinking. Creating the new Strategic Concept of NATO provides good opportunity to exercise common thinking, since developing the Concept forces us to the map challenges we face and possible ways of managing them.

Secondly, we need to develop and improve the cooperation mechanisms. Last year in January, right here in the CSIS, the study “Towards a Grand Strategy for an Uncertain World" was released. Their arguments were that a new „grand strategy" and transatlantic cooperation was needed in order that western democracy could overcome its threats. I am convinced that insitutional basis of the cooperation is NATO renewed in its structure and supported with non-military capabilities as well. A NATO which has deeper and more intensive partnerships between North American and European democracies. I also agree with recommendations to develop cooperation between NATO and the EU on an institutional basis.

Last but not least we need further progress in broadening cooperation outside of NATO. Partnership for Peace and Mediterranean Dialogue programs are platforms of cooperation which are worth deepening in the future. Establishment of the NATO-Russia Committee also supports the practice of organizing bilateral relations on institutional basis. This could also be a roadmap for future cooperation with other regional powers such as China and India. This concept has already been working in some cases: during our reconstruction efforts in Afghanistan we realized that thinking in ’regional projects and cooperation’ is the most effective way of reconstructing the country.

Ladies and gentlemen,

I mentioned before, I agree with those who support developing forms of cooperation between NATO and the EU in the interest of a “stronger NATO, greater Security".

The current situation cannot continue since now we aren’t exploiting any of the possibilities of cooperation at all. Strengthening the relationship between the two organizations is worthwhile because the two organisations have unique experience and abilities. NATO possesses substantial operational capability. While the EU has less potential in this regard, it has more advanced experience in economical and social stabilization or reconstruction fields, which are essential to our success. If we want to maximise the fruits of these complementary capabilities the two organizations have to launch more common initiatives.

I believe small steps are the best way to start improving cooperation because grand and extensive plans would last for years with two organisations of this size. One such small step could be an existing, unsolved, concrete matter. Here the future of Kosovo is an example. It is practical to make a roadmap, as soon as possible, to make it obvious how EU will take over the current role of NATO. The speed of this process is not the point. What counts is that it should be well-organised and effective. This is of prime interest, since ethnic conflicts remain and small sparks can reignite nationalist feelings. Kosovo can be regarded as a potential source of danger and should be treated accordingly.

Strategic Air Command (SAC), a project initiated by NATO, proved the effectiveness of cooperation. Twelve countries, including the United States, take part in this program. Among these twelve countries, eight who are both EU and NATO members, two who are only EU members and two who are only NATO members. The base of the air fleet will be in Hungary. This collective air fleet will strengthen the airlift ability concerning both NATO and EU operations. SAC is a great example to see that cooperation and mutual finance strengthens efficiency both between the EU and NATO and for countries outside of NATO.

Therefore we have a reason for hope in respect of bringing the EU and NATO closer in the future: it is obvious that both organizations have shared interests which can and should be coordinated not just with them but with the United States as well.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Creating and maintaining peace in Afghanistan is the biggest challenge at this time for NATO.

The international community is looking forward to see the new Afghan strategy from Washington. We obviously will adapt strategic aims of the alliance to the new American approach.

2009 can be a real turning point in Afghanistan. Once the elections have taken place on the 20th August, the legitimate government will hopefully be able to stand more firmly against the corruption paralyzing the country and the extremist gunmen.

Nevertheless, Afghanistan needs an Afghan solution. It is crucial to start “Afghanisation" and to allow local ownership to grow. This doesn’t mean building of a Western-type state, what it really means is that we have to aim to build a government that can function within the local circumstances. No state can be “forced to change", cultural and social background and historical development can not be neglected. There already are examples that point to this direction: during reorganization of the education, we take local traditions into consideration and we do not pursue introducing Western-type mixed schools at any cost.

Threats – certainly – do not stop at the borders. Settlement in Afghanistan is not an Afghan question solely, we must use regional approach. Efficient involvement of Afghanistan’s Southern neighbour, Pakistan in the process is essential. By controlling Afghan-Pakistani border more efficiently supplies of the Taliban can be forced back.

Settlement in Afghanistan casts an important role to other neighboring countries as well. India is interested in the stability of the region due to its significant economic presence in Afghanistan. China on the other hand shares its borders with Afghanistan and has an interest in the elimination of the terrorist organizations; hence supply from Afghanistan and Pakistan to terrorist cells organizing themselves on Chinese territory would be cut off.

Settlement in Afghanistan is very important, because it can prove to the world that NATO is capable of enhancing global stability

Although Afghanistan is now primary military priority for NATO, stability of the Balkan region will also remain a key element in the security concerns of Europe and the Trans-Atlantic region. This region is in the heart of Europe, in the immediate vicinity of NATO’s member states. Sadly, the First World War proved that a conflict which sprang from the region can ignite the whole world.

Croatia and Albania are already on the right track: they are about to become full members of NATO Alliance. Euro-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans is the only thing that can guarantee regional stability in that part of the world.

NATO must maintain its military presence in the Balkans until European Union takes over the role of peace keeping. I have already mentioned that the most important is not that transition to European leadership should be fast, but that the transition takes place in an orderly fashion. The two organizations, in close cooperation, will have to decide about conditions of the transition and will have to keep the schedule strictly.

We of course are not alone in the world. There is Russia with whom we have to work together in order to enhance global security. Due to its geographical size, its political and military power, and its economic significance based on its energy resources, Russia is a major player of the security environment in the European continent, in Central Asia, and in the Middle East.

I agree with those who say that we should insist on certain principles when dealing with Russia. I would highlight three such principles:

Having said that, the security as well as the sense of security of our Euro-Atlantic region depends to a large extent on the state of the relations with Russia, simply because not having cooperation with Russia makes it difficult to manage long-lasting crises. We must be aware that it is Russia on which Europe primarily depends for oil and natural gas, so we have to keep up an ongoing dialogue with Russia in order to resolve any possible conflicts.

We should judge our Russian relations from this perspective. We should strive to disclose common interests. Avoiding another crisis is certainly in the interest of both NATO and Russia.

I do hope that frosty relations which developed after the Georgian conflict have come to an end. It is time to explore the opportunities for practical cooperation, and the NATO-Russia Council is the proper forum for that. This forum can provide the stage to discuss cooperation regarding the top priority operation of the Alliance: Afghanistan. Prior to the Georgian conflict, Russia had agreed in principle to allow the non-military NATO supplies passing through Russia to Afghanistan. Using Russian territory for transit and logistics supplies would offer an alternative or supplement to the current only route through Pakistan.

We should explore possible forms of cooperation in the fields of counter-terrorism and cooperation in counter-narcotics operations is also necessary. Cooperation efforts in non-proliferation and arms control should also be revived.

We should also encourage joint efforts in our fight against piracy on the Oceans. Moreover consolidation of NATO-Russia relationship would enable launch of discussions regarding European security.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Finally, I once again underline that we need a stronger NATO. An enhanced and more robust transatlantic cooperation should serve as the foundation for a stronger NATO. A reinforced and enhanced NATO military structure is also needed to make our Alliance stronger, with the proviso that NATO remains essentially a political organization, with political leadership.

Only a strong Atlantic Alliance can cope with the security challenges of the twenty-first century, and only a stronger Alliance can actively contribute to enhancing global security.