Ladies and Gentlemen, Excellencies,
The European Council in its Declaration from Seville
reaffirmed that "Terrorism is a real challenge for Europe and the
world". It is important to notice that this very first sentence -
in lengthy and substantial Declaration that confirmed EU readiness
to engage with all its resources in the fight against terrorism -
does not speak on any particularly country or region. It speaks of
Europe and the world, indicating the universality of the problem
and no-exclusion towards assets and participants involved in this
paramount task. Indeed, no county or the region can be excluded
from the process, and this certainly applies for the region of
SEE.
Stability Pact for SEE - especially through the work
of the Third WT - represents valuable framework for addressing the
issue of terrorism and the ways to fight it, from the point of
SEE.
Immediately after terrorist attack on USA on 11
September, the countries of SEE within Stability Pact issued
Declaration condemning those barbaric acts. A month later they
adopted the Declaration on the contribution of the countries of the
SEE to the international fight against terrorism. This Declaration
presents a constructive regional response to the threat of
terrorism. It reaffirmed the readiness of the countries concerned
to work closely towards enhancing the level of cooperation both
bilaterally and on the regional level.
The countries involved - Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia
and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Moldova, Romania, Turkey and
Yugoslavia - agreed that a regional contribution to the
international campaign against terrorism was an integral part of
the stabilizing process of the region and decided to continue to
focus on this issue and meet regularly within SP.
All WT III activities are related to the fight
against international terrorism - to smaller or larger extent - but
the activities of other two Working Tables also contribute in that
regard (for example WT I with minorities and democratization). SC
resolution 1373 has noted with concern the close connection between
international terrorism and transnational organized crime, illicit
drugs, money laundering, illegal arms trafficking and all illegal
movements. This list represents the WT III agenda as well.
Resolution 1373 emphasized the need to enhance
coordination of efforts at national, sub-regional, regional and
international level in order to strengthen a global response
against terrorism. Stability Pact represents a framework for that,
with the number of participants that range from USA and Canada,
across Europe, all the way to Japan. The fact that SEE countries
are on the receiving end on the SP activities in no way means that
the benefits from the fight against terrorism arc limited just to
this part of the world.
A closer looks at the Stability Pact WT III
initiatives and task forces confirm that they represent
considerable contribution to the fight against terrorism. In this
regard let me emphasize in particular some of its initiatives and
fields of activity: small arms and light weapons, trafficking in
human beings, anticorruption, organized crime...
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today there is no international forum that is not
involved - in one way or the other, too bigger or lesser extent -
in combating international terrorism. UN, NATO, financial
institutions, different regional organizations such as Council of
Europe or OSCE, all are investing tremendous efforts in the fight
against terrorism. Each one among these activities represents an
added value in the comprehensive approach that is required for the
final success.
Security is responsibility of all of us, and the
contribution by each country to the fight against terrorism should
begin on its own territory. The measures implemented at the
national level are the starting point for the universal fight, and
the only way to address this issue efficiently. However, each
country's fight is specific. And no country could be excluded from
the process.
At the national level accelerated process of
adjustment of the legislature in respective countries remains
crucial. Another important element is cooperation with the
neighbors, especially on issues such as border guarding and fight
against different illegal cross-border activities. Bilateral
agreements on cooperation against terrorism - but also in regards
to the fight against organized crime - are also valuable
contribution to overall efforts in the fight against terrorism.
International cooperation should be strengthened
through full implementation of the relevant legal instruments such
as European Convention on Suppression of Terrorism, as well as
through development of relevant legal standards and guidelines for
the efficient fight against terrorism. Regionally, the work of
organizations such as Council of Europe or OSCE remains
indispensable. At the global stage, the UN conventions on terrorism
remain of vital importance, as well as the activities in relation
to the implementation of the SC R. 1373 and Counter Terrorism
Committee.
Without adding to the proliferation of actions,
Stability Pact stands ready to produce the added value in certain
fields of action. Having that in mind, the idea was born to produce
an overview of the initiatives already taken up in this field and
accompany that with analysis as a guidance for the future -
something that has been already done in security sector.
The comprehensive Security Sector Reform Gaps Analysis has been
done by York University of Canada and represents an inventory of
all ongoing and recently conducted projects in the countries of SE
Europe in the security sector. The Analysis contains list of
projects relating to military reform, non-proliferation, arms
control and disarmament as well as the projects connected to border
guards, police reform, customs judicial and penal system, and anti
corruption and organized crime projects. It showed the lack of
coordination among international players active in the SSR, about
also within recipient countries in coordinating the assistance. It
also highlighted the fields where additional support is needed, or
more coordination necessary. But - this Analysis does not include
counter terrorism measures.
The idea is to extend the Security Sector Reform
inventory to include a more detailed examination of terrorism
issues in the context of South Eastern Europe, and to extend this
"evaluation" to providing gaps analysis and recommendations for
policy-makers. In general it could be expected that there is a
"gap" between the formulated goals and the practices or results of
counter terrorism activities. Reliable information on this
difference would give not only an overview in terms of a reality
assessment, but could also serve as a point of departure to search
for "reasons" to define ways to improve the situation. At the same
time this evaluation would serve the practical needs of the region.
The first contact has been established with the independent
researcher (Max Planck Institute), and the endorsement from the
region received in the WT III meeting held earlier this month in
Bucharest.
Ladies and Gentleman,
WT III meeting in Bucharest, earlier this month has
addressed also the issue of terrorism through the work of the Ad
Hoc Working Group. The importance of cross-table consultations
within the SP framework was raised, with the recognition that WT
III would continue to lead on this issue. It was reemphasized WT
III approach to the counter terrorism not as a separate area of
activity but as an element of all WT activities. Last - but
certainly not the least - it was concluded that the region could
substantially contribute to European and global stability and
provide assistance to SP participants from outside the region.
Acting nationally and regionally in the fight
against terrorism - no matter how big or small, direct or
collateral our activities are - we contribute globally. This is the
main message we should have in mind.
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