Documents

Chairman's Conclusions
Ambassador Kim Traavik

The Working Table on Security Issues held its third meeting in Sofia on 4 and 5 October 2000. The meeting was opened by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, Mrs. Nadezhda Mihailova, and addressed by the Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact, Mr. Bodo Hombach and the Presidency of the European Union. Introductory remarks were made by the Chairman of the Working Table, Mr. Kim Traavik and the Co-Chairman Mr. Vassiliy Takev. The latter reported on the outcome of regional preparatory meetings on October 3.

The Working Table met at a crucial juncture for South Eastern Europe. As a result of the momentous developments in Serbia following the September 24 elections, the question of the participation of the Federal Republic in the Stability Pact may no longer be a remote vision. It was pointed out that the Stability Pact has a clear responsibility to support reforms in Yugoslavia, in direct dialogue with the democratically elected authorities of the country. The door is open for a democratic Federal Republic of Yugoslavia to join the Stability Pact as soon as circumstances allow.

In the opening plenary discussion there was a general review of on-going activities. It was noted that, from an overall point of view, implementation of Quick Start Package projects was well underway. At the same time it was pointed out that problems remained as regards some Working Table III projects, and that these problems must be looked into. Participants reported on policies and measures related to the achievements of Stability Pact objectives in the security sector. Written reports by Albania and Croatia were welcomed and held out as examples to be emulated by others.

Increased regional co-operation and co-ordination is an important by-product of the Stability Pact process. The Working Table has seen several good examples of projects and initiatives by the countries of South Eastern Europe. The role of the regional co-chairmanship is important to that end. In order to ensure increased continuity in the regional approach, there was support for the establishment of an informal Troika-arrangement of the previous, the current and the incoming Co-Chairmanship.

Sub-Table on Defence and Security Issues

The Sub-Table on Defence and Security Issues focused on achievements made and the way ahead in the main areas of priority: Arms Control and Non-Proliferation; Military Contacts, Defence Economics and Military Budgeting; Small Arms and Light Weapons; Humanitarian Demining; and Disaster and Emergency Preparedness.

There was general agreement that there had been substantial progress in most of these areas since the last meeting of the Working Table in Sarajevo last February. Several new ideas and proposals on how to bring the process forward were discussed.

Bulgaria reported on the establishment on the South East Europe Security Co-operation Steering Group (SEEGROUP). The group had its inaugural meeting at senior level in preparation of the meeting of the Sub-Table. The SEEGROUP, which embodies the concept of regional ownership, was welcomed as an important new mechanism that would facilitate coordination and consultation among the countries of the region in the field of security and defence.

Arms Control, Non-Proliferation and Military Contacts:

The Sub-Table heard reports on the Status of the OSCE-led processes under Articles II, IV and V of the Annex I-B of the Dayton/Paris Accords. The symbiotic nature of the Art. V process and the Stability Pact, as well as the need to avoid duplication and ensure complementarity, was emphasised.

Croatia and Germany informed the Sub-Table on the progress of the establishment of the Regional Arms Control and Verification Assistance Centre (RACVIAC) in Zagreb. The centre will be opened on 20 October 2000 with the participation of several countries of the region, as well as other Stability Pact partners. The importance of the broad participation and coordinated approach leading to the establishment of the centre was underlined.

Bulgaria reported on follow-up to the Regional Exports Conference that took place in Sofia in December 1999. The idea of a comparative study of best practices was positively received. In line with the declarations of the Sofia Conference, several countries reported on steps taken at the national level to ensure responsible arms transfers. A meeting in Zagreb in early 2001 will follow up on the work of the Sofia Conference.

France informed the Sub-Table on the development of a Regional Aerial Observation System. Apart from reinforcing military transparency, the Aerial Observation System promotes contacts between the countries of the region and multinational participation in line with principles agreed in the Article V negotiations. The voluntary nature of the System was emphasised. An initial flight over the region was scheduled for the second half of 2001. Further information on the scheduled flight would be made available.

The Multinational Peace Force South East Europe (MPFSEE) presented a project on the communication and information systems necessary for SEEBRIG to become fully operational. The MPFSEE was welcomed as a good example of practical regional co-operation and as an important confidence-building measure. Norway pledged partial funding for the project. Other donors were encouraged to contribute to the funding.

A project for a South East European Common Assessment Paper on Regional Security Challenges (SEECAP) was brought to the attention of the participants by NATO. Romania announced a planned brainstorming meeting on SEECAP in mid October. NATO also referred to the necessity of building capacity in the area of border control and security. Greece informed about a brainstorming meeting on this subject, scheduled for November 2000.

Switzerland presented four projects pertaining to democratic control of armed forces. The projects, which received general support, are fully funded by Switzerland.

Defence Economics and Military Budgeting

The programmes for the reintegration of demobilized military personnel into the civilian labour market in Bulgaria and Romania were discussed. The overall picture is encouraging. The two countries underlined the vital significance of these programmes for their reform processes. Similarly it was noted that these programmes have a potential to make a positive difference in the lives of those directly involved and their families. The World Bank underlined that the project would contribute to easing the difficult labour market situation of the countries concerned. There are, however, funding problems related to the programme for Bulgaria. Donors were encouraged to consider possibilities for solving these problems in co-operation with the Bulgarian authorities. To this end, the Stability Pact Donors’ Network will be activated.

Requests from Albania and Croatia to become beneficiaries of similar projects received widespread support. NATO indicated its willingness to provide advice and expertise. The World Bank indicated its readiness to look into funding requirements, in co-operation with the countries concerned. It was agreed that the Stability Pact should facilitate these projects.

The World Bank and Bosnia and Herzegovina reported on the successful progress of the project to assist the defence reforms in this country. Financial backing has been secured for retraining and social reintegration in connection with the second 15 % reduction of military assets and personnel in Bosnia and Herzegovina.

The Sub-Table heard reports from Bulgaria and the United Kingdom on follow-up to the Initiative for regional co-operation in the field of transparency of military budgets and defence planning, launched at the Sofia seminar in June. There was general support for the establishment of an informal Ad-Hoc Steering Group as proposed by the two countries, and partially financed by the UK. Donors were encouraged to ensure full funding of the project.

Bearing in mind discussions in Article V, the Sub-Table discussed the possibility of convening a meeting of high military officials from the countries of the region to discuss military reforms, budgeting, and defence planning. It was agreed that this idea needed further development in the framework of the Ad-Hoc Steering Group.

Small Arms and Light Weapons

There was general appreciation of Albania’s commitment to destruct some 130.000 Small Arms and Light Weapons, in partnership with the United States, Norway, and Germany. Norway and Germany pledged to support the project, which springs from the Technical Assessment Mission undertaken by the United States and Norway.

There was strong support for the imminent visits of the US/Norwegian Assessment Missions to the FYR of Macedonia and Bulgaria. The Missions were expected to lead to tangible results.

Delegations considered the possibility of establishing an informal ad-hoc mechanism for exchange of information on small arms related activities. The Sub-Table would revert to this idea following further reflections.

Humanitarian Demining

The Chairman of the Regional Mine Action Support Group reported on the proceedings of the group. Various views were expressed. The informal consultative nature of the Group was emphasised. Reference was made to the need to avoid duplication of efforts, bearing in mind the important role of the International Trust Fund, as well as regional demining programmes under the auspices of UNDP and UNMAS. There was general agreement that the added value of the group would be assessed in the light of the outcome of its inaugural meeting in Zagreb scheduled for November 2000.

Disaster and emergency preparedness

The Office of the SCSP presented a status report on the development of the Disaster Planning and Preparedness Initiative (DPPI). There was general support for further and closer co-operation on the subject. Readiness to participate in the forthcoming workshop to take place in Zagreb in November 2000 was expressed.

Bulgaria reported on the proposed Civil Military Emergency Planning Council. Emphasis was put on the need for close contact between this initiative and the DPPI, in order to avoid any possible duplication. To that end it was agreed to hold, in the near future, an informal meeting of officials involved in the two initiatives.

Sub Table on Justice and Home Affairs

The Sub-Table on Justice and Home Affairs focused on three priority sectors developed in the meetings in Oslo and Sarajevo, namely Law enforcement/Institution building, the fight against organized crime and corruption, and asylum and migration.

The Sub Table invited the EU to take a decisive role in guiding the Stability Pact community in this important field of European Integration.

Law enforcement: institution building.

• Along the lines of the presentation given by the Presidency of the European Union , the EC and Bulgaria presented the experience made in Eastern European countries on institution building and cooperation in the field of Justice and Home Affairs, through the PHARE program. The EU is planning to make JHA one of the priorities of the new assistance programs for Western Balkans (CARDS). The sub-Table welcomed the will of the EU, in particular the Commission, to play a leading role in that context. The upcoming Zagreb summit will be an opportunity to give a strong message in that direction.

• On judiciary reform the Council of Europe, followed by a number of countries, including Germany and Bulgaria, made a presentation on ongoing activities and future needs in the sector. Notwithstanding the ongoing initiatives in the sector, many of which are successful, funding is still insufficient in many areas. The sub-Table invited the Chairman to pursue informally mechanisms to ensure a better coordination between the projects and work towards a comprehensive strategic approach.

• On police reform and training, a representative of the chairman of WT III informed about the results of an expert brainstorming meeting recently held in Oslo, building on experiences already made through multilateral and bilateral activities, in particular by Germany. The Association of European Police Colleges (AEPC) presented its discussion paper about a regional training program. The Sub-Table endorsed a Norwegian proposal to organize in the region (before the end of the year), a meeting of chiefs of police of SEE. The meeting should focus on two main issues: to exchange views on common police challenges and possible cooperation; and to exchange views on options for regional training programmes, taking into account the AEPC and other proposals. The Sub-Table noted a Norwegian offer to fund a study of options for regional police training. The study would be available in November 2000.

• Particular attention was given to border administration : the Sub- Table agreed with the International Centre for Migration Policy Development (ICMPD) recommendations that these issues have a high priority within the overall JHA field. A number of delegations expressed their appreciation of the work being done by the ICMPD, and welcomed further integration of the Budapest process in the work of the Stability Pact.

Targeted Initiatives

• The US presented, on behalf of the Managing Committee, progress achieved since the adoption of the Anti Corruption Initiative in the Sarajevo meeting. The monitoring and assessment process have begun. The sub table stressed that renewed political commitment was necessary to further the Initiative and expected the Initiative to produce concrete results along the lines of the satisfactory progress achieved so far.

• Organised Crime Initiative (SPOC) : The Stability Pact Fight against Organised Crime Initiative (SPOC) was validated by the Sub-Table and adopted by the Plenary. The high importance of fighting organised crime in the light of further stabilisation, democratisation and economic development and the need to fight organised crime in its global appearance was underlined unanimously. A representative of the Special Coordinator informed about the preparations of the Initiative. The text of the Initiative was elaborated by a Working Group composed of representations of the following international organisations, institutions and regional initiatives; the Office of the Special Co-ordinator, the European Commission, the General Secretary of the Council of the European Union, Europol, Interpol, the OSCE, SECI, CEI, the Adriatic Sea Initiative and the Council of Europe, in close consultation with the countries of the region. The initiative was then presented by the Council of Europe on behalf of the Working Group. It builds upon European and international standards taking due consideration of relevant UN conventions. It puts focus on the development of national and regional policies and strategies against organised crime, on multi-disciplinary coordination mechanisms, in-country cooperation between agencies, creating specialised units and increasing investigative capacities. The Sub-Table emphasized that the Initiative should build upon and coordinate with existing activities. Co-ordination will be safe guarded by a steering committee of High Level Representatives and an advisory and contact group composed of institutions, organisations and regional initiatives with relevant subject experience. The Sub-Table stressed the importance to swiftly start the implementation of the Initiative. The representatives from Montenegro and from countries of the region, including Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Moldova and Romania expressed their full commitment to the Initiative.

• Trafficking in Human Beings : The Sub-Table heard the presentation given by the Chair of the Task Force Ms. Helga Konrad. The Task Force will focus on the following priority areas: awareness raising, training and exchange programs, law enforcement cooperation, victim protection programs, return and reintegration assistance, relevant legislative reform, prevention. The Sub-Table underlined the need for a targeted approach and close cooperation between the Task Forces and other initiative covering organized crime and illegal migration as well as the importance of involving the governments of the region on the issue of trafficking.

Asylum and Migration

• EU high Level Working Group (HLWG) on Asylum and Migration for Albania and neighbouring region: The EU (Presidency and Commission) presented its action plan. The Sub-Table considered it a complete and comprehensive plan, in particular in the field of Justice and Home Affairs, with clear objectives and related measures aimed at achieving them. The EU invited Stability Pact partners to support its implementation, in particular in fields not directly tackled by the EU. The Sub-Table considered this initiative as a model of cooperation in establishing national plans in the countries of the Western Balkans.

• Coordination needs : discussions focused on capacity building and legislative reform. In this respect, comprehensive action plans, at different levels of definition, were presented by UNHCR, BAFL, ICMPD and IOM. The importance of migration issues , for the countries of the region, as well as for other European countries was emphasized by the Sub-Table. It supported the idea put forward by the Swedish State Secretary, of a balanced approach of migration policies, which would take account of both social and security factors according to EU orientations given by the Tampere Summit. Above all, the Sub-Table recognized the strong need for enhanced coordination among initiatives and action plans and for that purpose approved the creation of the Steering Group proposed by the UNHCR discussion paper on Asylum and Migration, inviting the European Institutions to give guidance to the process.