Chairman's Conclusions
State Secretary Kim Traavik

The Working Table on Security Issues held its fifth meeting in Budapest on November 27-28, 2001. The meeting was opened by Mr. Ivan Bába, State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Hungary. Introductory remarks were made by Ambassador Jacques Scavee, on behalf of the Presidency of the European Union; by the Chairman of the Working Table, State Secretary Kim Traavik; and by Deputy State Secretaries Mr. Csaba Lörincz and Mr. Csaba Körösi on behalf of the Hungarian Co-Chairmanship. The Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact, Mr. Bodo Hombach, addressed the concluding plenary of the meeting.

It was widely noted that the Working Table took place in a security environment that had changed dramatically since the last meeting of the Working Table in Zagreb in June 2001, and that the 11 September terrorist attacks had fundamentally changed the world. Efforts to enhance security and stability through increased regional Cupertino in South Eastern Europe were considered more important than ever. The regionally initiated Bucharest Declaration on the Contribution of the Countries of South Eastern Europe to the International Fight against Terrorism was welcomed as a constructive regional response to a serious international challenge. The importance of providing follow-up to the Bucharest Declaration was emphasised. The countries that issued the Declaration stated their intention to hold meetings of the regional Ad Hoc group on anti-terrorism, as a general rule in the margins of meetings in the context of Working Table III.

The Working Table endorsed the Stability Pact Regional Implementation Plan for combating the proliferation of Small Arms and Light Weapons. The plan was seen as a major step ahead in a key area of concern to the countries of the region.

The Working Table welcomed the successful launch of the first Stability Pact sponsored regional police training courses, devoted respectively to illegal immigration and trafficking in human beings. It noted with satisfaction that a roster of police training activities, including a course devoted to the prevention of trafficking in small arms and light weapons to be held in early 2002, had been drawn up.

Referring to the priorities identified by the Regional Table in late June, participants stressed the importance of following through on established priorities and initiatives. At the same time it was emphasised that the Stability Pact must be capable of adapting to evolving security challenges. Participants underlined that the broad and comprehensive approach to security issues of the Stability Pact, encompassing both internal and external aspects of security, made the Pact well fit to meet those new challenges. The idea of identifying, for each priority area, a set of specific objectives, which could be realistically achieved by the end of 2002, was widely supported.

Participants highlighted the need to ensure complementarity between the Stability Pact and European Union instruments, in particular the Stabilisation and Association Process, and stressed the importance of a close co-operative relationship between the Pact and NATO.

There was general appreciation of the close and harmonious Cupertino between the Stability Pact and SEEGROUP, particularly in areas related to Security Sector Reform. Participants considered that this Cupertino is mutually reinforcing and does not create dysfunctional duplication. The Chairman of SEEGROUP pointed to exchange of border personnel as an important measure that would contribute to strengthening border control systems in the region. An agreement to that effect (SEESTAFF) has been reached.

The Working Table welcomed the comprehensive written reports on reforms and policies related to the achievements of the Stability Pact circulated by Albania and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Plenary Discussion on Security Sector Reform

Participants recalled that Working Table III was tasked by the June 2001 Regional Table to direct its attention increasingly to the area of Security Sector Reform. The report of the ad hoc Working Group established to consider the exact nature of Working Table activities in Security Sector Reform, was warmly welcomed.

The report underlines that the contribution of the Stability Pact to security sector reform in South Eastern Europe must be complementary to, and avoid duplication of, already existing efforts undertaken by the EU, NATO, OSCE and UN, etc. Stability Pact contributions should build on these activities, with a view to support SEE efforts to achieve European and Euro-Atlantic standards, to promote regional reform by setting out a mechanism that would leave individual reform tracks fully intact and governed by their respective lead organisations while identifying gaps and proposing solutions.

In order to provide a point of departure for this process the Working Table was developing an international SSR inventory/data base, led by a Canadian university and supported by Norway, to serve as a gaps- and needs analysis. Concurrently, based on the pilot paper prepared by the SEEGROUP, work will start on a comparative study of national security strategies in South East Europe (SEESTUDY). The inventory should be ready well before the next meeting of the Working Table.

The gaps and their relative importance to the overall SSR process would be more clearly visible after the inventory/data base and SEESTUDY have been completed. However, the report notes that the following areas should be of primary concern:

• Professionalisation /development of civil servant and civil society expertise as part of strengthening democratic oversight and control (primarily but not exclusively in the military sector), including contributing to the capacity of the Regional Arms Control Verification Assistance Centre (RACVIAC) within its mandate through increased participation of civilians in courses and seminars;
• Continuation and expansion to the region of ongoing country specific SP programs, e.g. retraining and alternative employment of demobilised military personnel and for base conversion;
• Further development of the Transparency in Military Budgeting and Planning Initiative, making full use of the Sofia Centre of Excellence and the Initiative’s Steering Group, development of a South East Europe/Balkan Defence College, and a Regional Police Training Centre, both on a roaming basis;
• Professionalisation and enhanced training of key judiciary personnel.

The report pointed out that benchmarking could be pursued through an evaluative process that could include identifying and cataloguing the main actors and identifying contact persons, through a Consolidated Reform Register and Individual Reform Registers.

Delegations engaged in a focused discussion on the direction of the Working Table in this area. It was pointed out that Security Sector Reform is a multi-faceted exercise and that most activities under Working Table III are pursued in this context. The importance of initiating a broad security sector reform process in South Eastern Europe was emphasised.

There was agreement on the need to establish a limited number of clear priorities. There was a broadly held view that democratic control of armed forces should be regarded as an area of high priority. This would be an important element for the development of the concept of good governance in the region. The importance of judiciary reform, in particular the courts, public prosecution and the penal systems, was widely emphasised. Participants emphasised the significance of downsizing of military forces, both as an important element of Euro-Atlantic integration and a necessity for the development of healthy economies in the region. The need for capacity building and professionalisation of the security sector was also stressed.

Plenary Discussion on Small Arms/Light Weapons.

The Working Table considered the Stability Pact Regional Implementation Plan for Combating Small Arms and Light Weapons (SALW) in South East Europe. The Stability Pact Secretariat outlined the plan and described its component parts, including the establishment of a Regional Clearinghouse in Belgrade, and funding requirements. The Plan would become operational in 2002, with the Clearinghouse expected to open and national focal points named by March of that year. A representative of the UNDP, which would directly manage the Clearinghouse, summarised the UNDP/Stability Pact partnership in the context of the Implementation Plan. The Hungarian Co-chairmanship read a statement of regional support for the Implementation Plan.

The Regional Implementation Plan was subsequently endorsed by the Working Table.

Sub-Table on Defence and Security

1. Arms Control and Security Sector Reform

   Participants welcomed the conclusion of the negotiations on regional stability mandated by Article V of Annex 1B of the Dayton Peace Accords, as presented by Ambassador Henry Jacolin, Special Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office.

   There was broad agreement on the significance of the Article V Concluding Document as an important achievement in the implementation of the Dayton/Paris Accords. The role of the Stability Pact, including RACVIAC in supporting implementation of Article V was emphasised.

   The need to establish close links between Working Table III and the Article V commission was underlined, inter alia by having regular meetings between the Chairs of Working Table III and the Article V Commission. It was pointed out that meetings of the Commission should be held at a date as close as possible to that of the semi-annual meetings of the Working Table.

   Participants welcomed the intention of RACVIAC to hold a seminar on the possible contribution of RACVIAC to the implementation of Article V.

   Bulgaria reported on the progress of the Initiative for Transparency of Military Budgeting, a key element of overall defence reform. The first Yearbook on South East European Defence Spending was being finalised in Sofia and should be available in December. However, it would be incomplete as several countries had yet to provide the requested information. The next step would be a Survey of South Eastern European Budgeting Systems, which will form the basis for analytic research. The UK, which has provided substantial financial support to the initiative, underscored the importance it placed on full participation as essential to successful implementation.

   The Sub-Table was informed about the activities of the South East European Defence Ministerial (SEDM) process, designed to implement regional ownership for enhanced security, and hailed as a regional co-operation success story. One of the most significant outcomes of SEDM has been the establishment and support of the South East Europe Brigade (SEEBRIG), which demonstrates regional readiness to take responsibility for its own security. A priority for SEEBRIG remains the acquisition of a secure and robust Communication and Information System, an essential pre-requisite for deployment. The financial support of Romania, the United States and Norway was acknowledged and appreciated. It was noted that there was outstanding requirement of approximately $7.5 million. The Chair noted that bridging this gap should be a high priority for 2002, and urged the donor community to contribute.

   Turning to Military Restructuring, which includes both retraining of demobilised personnel and conversion of military bases and assets, the Sub-Table considered existing projects and future prospects. The NATO representative gave a brief overview of the personnel and asset initiatives, and outlined recent developments. The Bulgarian delegation, represented by the Director of the Resource Centre Foundation, described ongoing efforts to provide released military personnel with economic possibilities, work on developing future uses for surplus military properties, and announced a conference early in the New Year on civil society involvement in Security Sector Reform. In response to a Yugoslav request for assistance on military restructuring, the NATO representative, citing the experience of Bulgaria and Romania, expressed a willingness to assist, within the context of overall FRY-NATO relations.

   Romania reported on the current visit by a NATO team of experts to assess pilot plans to convert military facilities for civilian use. The United States emphasised the importance of attaining tangible and realistic goals in the near term. There was broad agreement that a fully fleshed out proposal for a pilot project on base conversion in Romania should be ready, for consideration by the donor community and the international financing institutions, before the end of next year. A progress report should be presented at the next meeting of the Working Table.

2. Mine Action and Small Arms/Light Weapons

   Ambassador Don Smith of Canada reported on incremental but steady progress in the activities of the Reay Group. He stressed the need for further donor involvement in support of regional mine action. He noted that the Reay Group is concentrating its efforts on the achievement of a stockpile-free region, a regional training program, and a regional network of testing and evaluation capabilities. He informed the Sub-Table that Canada would in the near future hand over the Chairmanship of the Reay Group to Ms. Dijana Plestina of Croatia. This was held out as yet another example of the region taking ownership of important Stability Pact processes.

   There was broad appreciation of the proposed Regional Implementation Plan on SALW. The Sub-Table recommended to the plenary that the plan be endorsed. Yugoslavia welcomed the plan and described support being received from the United States to destroy over 50,000 SALW by the end of the year. Macedonia noted its continuing interest in the issue and applauded the launching of the Plan. Other countries of the region voiced support and reviewed progress made in weapons destruction. Switzerland and Norway expressed support for the plan, welcoming in particular the emphasis it placed on enhancing regional co-operation, and pledged financial support. The United States reviewed the bilateral support it has provided for weapons destruction in SEE, and indicated further resources are still available for SALW destruction. Romania welcomed the U.S. offer of a SALW assessment visit in the near future.

   A representative of the international NGO Saferworld reported on the involvement of Civil Society in developing regional awareness and consensus on limiting SALW proliferation, and described how the Hungarian-sponsored Szeged Small Arms Process harnessed existing international interest to tackle this problem and contributed to the development of the Implementation Plan. The importance of continuing with activities to complement and support work within the Regional Implementation Plan was noted. The importance of efforts to raise public awareness was stressed in this regard.

3. Disaster Preparedness and Prevention

   The Operational Team representative made a presentation on the progress of the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative (DPPI) since the last Working Table, emphasising that the countries of the region had taken ownership and moved the project forward. A Strategic Outline and Work Plan had been prepared. Concrete regional projects were being developed. A co-ordination meeting to be held in the first week of February was scheduled to take place in Budapest. The representative of the Stability Pact Secretariat indicated that financing and administrative arrangements for the employment of an Executive Secretary for DPPI are ready and that a qualified professional is being sought for this position.

   Croatia reported on the planning process for the regional fire-fighting exercise (Taming the Dragon-Dalmatia 2002), which has also become part of the NATO Partnership Work Programme. Wide international participation was foreseen.

   Bulgaria and Bosnia Herzegovina reported about their work and projects within DPPI.

Sub-Table on Justice and Home Affairs

1. European Integration/Stabilisation and Association Process

   The European Commission presented its approach in the framework of the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP) and the CARDS programme. It highlighted the need for close co-ordination with the Stability Pact to support the implementation of the SAP. The Commission underlined that areas falling outside CARDS programming rules could also be relevant to the purposes of the JHA portfolio. Participants welcomed the integrated approach of the EU, and acknowledged that the Stability Pact and the EU share the same goals in the field of Justice and Home Affairs.

2. Fight against Corruption and Organised Crime.

   The chairman of the Steering Group of the Stability Pact Anti-Corruption Initiative (SPAI), Judge Giuseppe di Gennaro, reported on recent activities of the Initiative to the sub-table and presented SPAI’s Strategy for the year 2002 and beyond. The sub-table welcomed that the assessment period had been finalised, and that the implementation phase had already begun. There was wide agreement about the US proposal to identify, within the first quarter of 2002, two or three priorities for each country to be implemented within 12 to 18 months according to a specific road map. The importance of the active participation of the World Bank, the OECD and the Council of Europe in this initiative was highlighted. More active participation of other key actors was encouraged. The World Bank underlined that the specific added value of the SPAI was related to its umbrella function towards the other actors in the field.

   The Secretariat provided a report on the present status of the Stability Pact Initiative on Fight against Organised Crime (SPOC), underlining the need for a full-fledged assessment of the functioning of the initiative so far, and the need for further administrative support through a secretariat. Following the guidance of the region, the sub-table concluded that a secretariat should be established at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg. The Regional Crime Centre for Combating Trans-border Crime in Bucharest will cover the operational matters. The Stability Pact secretariat will support the process. The chairman highlighted the need to secure funding for the SPOC secretariat. The importance of the UN Convention on Trans-National Organised Crime, signed in Palermo in December 2000, was cited as a guiding document for the further elaboration of the activities of the initiative.

3. Law Enforcement: Institution-Building

   Judicial Reform: The chairman of the sub-table introduced the issue of Judicial Reform, referring to the need for efficient functioning of an independent judicial system and law enforcement as essential factors for the long-term stability and economic development of South East Europe. The Council of Europe presented a Framework Document for Judicial Reform in South Eastern Europe. Participants, in particular SECI, Germany, France, Slovenia, World Bank and Ireland, expressed wide support for the approach outlined in the document, and agreed to establish an ad hoc working group to operationalise the recommendations of the Framework Document.

   Police Co-operation and Training Initiative: The Croatian Co-chair of the Initiative, Zlatko Miletic, introduced the issue, and reported about the progress made so far, present activities and future plans. The Initiative was widely seen as being successful, making a valuable contribution in the field of capacity building. Participants warmly welcomed the close co-operation between this initiative and other relevant SP initiatives and projects. The Commission presented its programme focusing on capacity building.

   Progress achieved after the establishment of a Post-graduate school for police executives in Romania, and supported by France was welcomed.

   Border Management: The secretariat of the Budapest process, through director Jonas Widgren, reported on the progress of the joint initiative on border management, underlining that border management is about both control and facilitation of cross-border activities. The report was generally welcomed, and the chairman emphasised that effective border management is a pre-requisite for enhanced regional co-operation. The Commission advocated an integrated approach, aiming both at easing the life of people, and at improving internal security.

   Migration and Asylum Initiative: On the proposal of the chairman, and in the interest of efficiency, the sub-table agreed to take over the tasks initially given to the Steering Committee, thereby facilitating co-ordination with inter-related activities of the sub-table, in particular in the field of border management and trafficking in human beings. Ambassador Per Almqvist, Head of the recently established and inaugurated MAI Support Unit, reviewed the achievements of the Initiative since its inception in April 2001. On the basis of a differentiated and integrated approach in relation to the situation in each partner country, the Support Unit will focus on co-operation and co-ordination with the work of the Commission, also taking into account the importance of national ownership and regional co-operation. The Commission recalled the commitment of the countries of the region to follow European standards. It underlined the regional work that is needed to implement this commitment.

   Trafficking in Human Beings: The chair of the Stability Pact Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings, Dr. Helga Konrad, reported on the Regional Ministerial Forum in Zagreb, 27 November 2001. It adopted a Statement on Commitments about the development of a Regional Information Exchange Mechanism Concerning Trafficking in Human Beings in South Eastern Europe. This Statement established the political platform for enhanced regional co-operation and for the implementation of the comprehensive action plan. She furthermore reported on substantial progress achieved in the work of the Task Force.