Brussels, 29/07/2003 (Agence Europe) - On Tuesday the European Union and NATO published a document on their "concerted approach" on security and stability in the Balkans. This document focuses on the fields in which the EU and NATO are expected to pursue and strengthen their co-operation by continuing, notably, regular meetings at all levels and exchanges of information, particularly on security issues. It considers that visits to the region by Javier Solana High Representative of the EU for CFSP and Lord Robertson, Secretary General for NATO, should be, as far as possible, done in a concerted manner that produces joint declarations by the two men on the most recent developments in the region.
The EU and NATO share the same "future vision": stability in the Balkans based on democratic and efficient government structures, as well as viable market economies that allow them to become closer to European and Atlantic structures. Until now, action by the international community has allowed conflicts to be ended and to put into place democratic governments. However, these countries are always in danger from inter-ethnic tensions, as well as organised crime and corruption. Their economies also remain shaky. The two organisations point out that, "There is still much to be done before the countries of the region can realise their ambition of integration into the EU and NATO".
The EU and NATO again call for total cooperation of the Balkan countries with the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY), as well as regional cooperation. The two organisation will help the said countries with their respective instruments: NATO via its Partnership for Peace (PFP), its Accession Action Plan and help with defence related reforms and the EU via its Association and Stabilisation Process (ASP) and its European Security and Defence Policy (ESDP). Their cooperation will focus on: conflict prevention and crisis management (a military presence remains indispensable for managing crises and the return of refugees and displaced persons, especially in Kosovo, indicates the document); reforms in the defence and security sectors; strengthening of the State of law (especially in the fight against organised crime, corruption, illegal immigration and the traffic in human beings; the creation of an effective police force and an independent judicial system; the fight against terrorism via development of appropriate legislation and adequate police capability; border management and security; weapons control.