NATO’s partners in the South Caucasus

On 6 and 7 September NATO’s Secretary General visited the South Caucasus – a region that is strategically important to the Alliance. NATO has been progressively deepening dialogue and cooperation with Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia since the early 1990s. All three partners provide valuable support to NATO-led operations, while benefiting from NATO support for security and defence-related capacity building and reform.

The South Caucasus is a crossroads of civilizations, situated between the Black Sea to the west, the Caspian Sea to the east and bordering Turkey, Russia and Iran. The region has been of considerable geostrategic importance through the ages – and continues to be so today.
The region borders the territory of a NATO member state and includes Georgia, a country aspiring to join the Alliance. It also offers useful alternative transit options for the transport of supplies to and from the NATO-led force in Afghanistan.

Shared security concerns

The Allies and their partners in the South Caucasus face the same security challenges, such as terrorism and the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Such threats defy borders and can only be addressed effectively through international cooperation.
Energy security is an important security issue of shared concern. The South Caucasus sits on key oil and gas transit routes, and has significant oil and gas reserves. Energy-importing countries are looking to diversify their energy sources and supply routes, while energy-exporting and transit countries need to ensure the security of their industry and pipeline infrastructure.
One serious concern are the protracted conflicts in the region. Following a conflict between ethnic Armenians and Azerbaijanis from 1988 to 1994, the sides agreed a cease fire in May 1994. However, a political settlement still needs to be found. The Abkhazia and South Ossetia regions of Georgia continue to be sources of tension, in particular following the conflict with Russia in August 2008.
NATO does not seek a direct role in the resolution of these conflicts, but supports the efforts of other international organizations, which have specific mandates for their mediation roles.The peaceful resolution of conflict is a core value of NATO and is at the heart of the commitments that NATO’s partners in the South Caucasus undertook when they joined the Partnership for Peace.

Valued support for operations

All three Caucasus partners have provided valuable support for NATO-led operations. Armenia has been contributing troops to the Kosovo Force (KFOR) since 2004. It first deployed personnel in support of the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan in 2010 and increased its deployment from 40 to 126 in 2011.
Having actively supported KFOR in the past, Azerbaijan currently has 94 personnel deployed in support of ISAF. The country also supports ISAF’s mission with over-flight rights and has contributed to the development of Afghan national security forces through financial support and training in de-mining.
Today, with around 800 military personnel deployed in Afghanistan, Georgia is the second largest non-NATO ISAF troop contributing nation and planned deployments this autumn will make it the largest. The country also supports Operation Active Endeavour, NATO’s counter-terrorist maritime surveillance operation in the Mediterranean. Georgia also contributed to KFOR in the past.
All three countries are actively working towards the development of units that meet NATO standards and that can in future participate in international peacekeeping operations.

Deepening partnership

Bilateral partnership programmes with NATO allow each of the Caucasus partners to draw on Allied expertise in adapting their defence institutions and capabilities to deal with security challenges. In the past decade, all three countries have chosen to deepen the level of cooperation and tighten the focus on their respective reform priorities.
Armenia and Azerbaijan have both developed Individual Partnership Action Plans with NATO. In the case of Georgia – following a dialogue with the Alliance about its membership aspirations and the declaration by Allies at the 2008 Bucharest Summit that the country will become a member – intensified cooperation is now being taken forward through the unique framework of the NATO-Georgia Commission that was established in September 2008.
Beyond cooperating on security and defence-related capacity building and reform, NATO and its partners in the South Caucasus work together in other areas such as border security, cyber security, and disaster preparedness and response.
Partnership has also brought some tangible benefits for citizens in the Caucasus countries. For example, in Armenia – a country prone to earthquakes – NATO provides training to improve the search-and-rescue capabilities. In Azerbaijan and Georgia, NATO has supported projects to clear and safely dispose of large numbers of dangerous, unexploded and obsolete landmines and munitions.

Source: Nato.int

NATO-Russia relations: 20 years after the USSR

NATO review's current edition, takes a closer look on NATO-Russia relations and how this has been changed through the years. As Paul King says; looking at Russia and NATO like similar partners is like comparing apples and pears:

• Russia's history stretches back centuries. NATO is just 62 years old.
• Russia is a sovereign nation state. NATO is an alliance.
• And Russia has defended itself successfully from attacks ranging from Napoleon's armies to Hitler's Panzers. No NATO country has ever been invaded after joining

But Russia was the centre of a key old empire, the Soviet Union. And NATO was the West's counterbalance. Since the end of the Soviet Union, both sides have clearly stated that neither is the other's enemy. Both sides have increased cooperation. But, the question remains, does the shadow of the iron curtain still hang over today's relationship?

Overview of the articles:

NATO and Russia today: interview with Dmitri Trenin
Dmitri Trenin, Director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, looks at where the NATO-Russia relations are today

Taking the temperature: what the Russian experts think
How do Russian experts see NATO's evolving relationship with Russia in areas such as missile defence, Afghanistan and other security issues? Here, we present the results of a survey of Russian experts by the independent Atlantic Initiative.

NATO and Russia: doomed to disappointment?
James Sherr of Chatham House contends that different understanding on either side of the NATO-Russia relationship keep leading to unwanted outcomes. And until this bridge is broached, cooperation will not lead to harmony, he argues.

Dealing with the symbolic irritant in NATO-Russia diplomacy
That NATO and Russia are partners is not in dispute, argues Vincent Pouliot. The problems start though when it comes to defining who is the senior partner. And on this, a largely polite, but ongoing, disagreement seems to characterise the relationship.

How NATO is perceived in Russia (or lessons in optimism)
Robert Pszczel is NATO's face in Russia. The head of NATO's Moscow office, he now both talks about - and listens to opinions on - NATO's evolving partnership with Russia. Here he explains some of the feedback - and why it's positive to be an optimist.

Time to abandon illusions
Today is the moment for Russia and NATO to end seeing each other through the Cold War prism, argues Fyodor Lukyanov. Twenty first century challenges requires both sides to challenge of their 20th century hangovers.

One step forward...
Konstatin Eggert was the Editor in Chief of BBC's Moscow office for over 10 years. Here, he argues that the relationship between Russia and NATO will forever be defined by encouraging steps forward hampered by regular setbacks. But soon, other regional factors may become even more important.

NATO and Russia: resuscitating the partnership
There have been major improvements in the practical cooperation between NATO and Russia, argues Andrew Monaghan. But deeper, real meetings of minds about each other's roles remain elusive.

Spanningen in het noorden van Kosovo

In het noorden van Kosovo lopen de spanningen tussen Serviërs en Kosovaren sinds vorige week weer hoog op. Naar verluidt heeft de Navo beslist om zevenhonderd extra soldaten te sturen. Op dit moment bestaat de KFOR missie uit een 6000-tal manschappen.
De spanningen liepen op toen de Kosovaarse speciale politie grensposten met Servië probeerde over te nemen. Kosovo wil de import van Servische goederen verbieden omdat Servië weigert douanestempels van Kosovo te accepteren. De Servische minderheid in Kosovo overtrad dat verbod. De Serven blokkeerden de wegen met stenen, trucks en houten palen om de politie weg te houden van de grensovergangen. Bij de gevechten werd een agent geraakt door een granaat. De Navo werd gedwongen in te grijpen om een verdere escalatie van het geweld te voorkomen.

De Volkskrant bericht verder dat de rellen, volgens Tadic, door Prishtina werden uitgedacht:

'Ik sluit niet uit dat de onlusten in Kosovo in Pristina zijn uitgedacht om uiteindelijk de situatie in Noord-Kosovo definitief te kunnen wijzigen. Het douanekantoor bij Jarinje is in brand gestoken door criminele groepen uit Kosovo. Deze hebben niet alleen nauwe banden met Serviërs, maar ook met het Albanese establishment in Pristina', aldus de Servische president Boris Tadic in een interview met omroep B92 in Belgrado.

Als reactie hebben de Serviërs wegblokkades opgetrokken waardoor een konvooi van de Navo afgesneden werd van zijn basis.

KFOR reduces its force in Kosovo

NATO's KFOR has implemented a further reduction of its force in Kosovo.

source: natochannel.tv

NATO has been leading a peace support operation in Kosovo since June 1999 in support of wider international efforts to build peace and stability in the area.

More information about NATO's role in Kosovo: KFOR website

Third summit in the history of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC)

The third summit in the history of the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) took place in Lisbon on 20 November 2010. At the end of this historic gathering, President Dmitri Medvedev of Russia and his counterparts from the other 28 NRC member states issued a joint statement.

In this statement, NRC leaders pledged to “work towards achieving a true strategic and modernised partnership based on the principles of reciprocal confidence, transparency, and predictability, with the aim of contributing to the creation of a common space of peace, security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area.” The NRC Heads of State and Government took a number of important decisions.

First, they endorsed the first ever Joint Review of 21st Century Common Security Challenges, outlining shared views of Russia and Allies on key security questions and ways to address them through practical cooperation.

Second, they agreed on a joint ballistic missile threat assessment and decided to resume Theatre Missile Defence Cooperation. Moreover, they tasked a development of a comprehensive Joint Analysis of the future framework for broader missile defence cooperation. This work will be assessed at the June 2011 meeting of NRC Defence Ministers.

Third, participants reconfirmed a shared determination to assist in the stabilisation of Afghanistan and the whole region. In this context, they welcomed broadened transit arrangements through Russian territory for non-lethal ISAF goods, moved to expand the counter-narcotics training and decided to task a development of an NRC Helicopter Maintenance Trust Fund in 2011.

Other issues discussed included NRC cooperation on counter-terrorism, and the fight against piracy. Summing up the NRC summit, Mr Rasmussen said:

“We have agreed, together, on which security challenges NATO nations and Russia actually face today. What’s most significant is what’s not on the list: each other. The NATO nations and Russia have, today, agreed, in writing, that while we face many security challenges, we pose no threat to each other. That, alone, draws a clear line between the past and the future of NATO-Russia relations.”

Check also: Strategic Concept and the NATO-Russia Council Joint Statement at the meeting of the NATO-Russia Council held in Lisbon on 20 November 2010

Source: NATO.int

Progress in Kosovo allows for adaptation of KFOR presence

NATO has decided to adjust the KFOR presence in Kosovo. Over the next few months, KFOR will progressively reduce its presence to around 5,000 troops in total, marking one more step in the adaptation of KFOR to a deterrent presence.

The security conditions in Kosovo continue to improve, which is a positive sign not only for Kosovo, but for the whole region. Local institutions are increasingly capable of assuming responsibility for security tasks.

KFOR will remain able to deploy forces quickly and effectively whenever and wherever necessary, including with robust reserves. KFOR’s mission to guarantee a safe and secure environment in Kosovo remains unchanged.

source: NATO

Albania and Croatia - new NATO members

Yesterday Albania and Croatia have completed the accession process, and have joined the Alliance as members.
Since 1949, NATO’s membership has increased from 12 to 28 countries through six rounds of enlargement. Albania and Croatia, which were invited to join NATO at the Bucharest Summit in April 2008, formally became members when the accession process was completed on 1 April 2009.
The former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia has, like Albania and Croatia, been participating in the Membership Action Plan (MAP) for a number of years to prepare for possible membership. At Bucharest, Allied leaders agreed to invite the country to become a member as soon as a mutually acceptable solution to the issue over the country’s name has been reached with Greece. A number of other important decisions concerning enlargement were taken at Bucharest. Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro were invited to start Intensified Dialogues on their membership aspirations and related reforms. Allied leaders also agreed that Georgia and Ukraine – which were already engaged in an Intensified Dialogue with NATO – will become members in future.
A flag-raising ceremony marking the accession of Albania and Croatia will be held at NATO Headquarters in Brussels on April 7th.

See also: NATO enlargement

Slovenië ratificeert NATO akkoorden Albanië en Kroatië

Slovenia's parliament ratified the NATO accession of Albania and Croatia on Monday, paving the way for the alliance’s enlargement in the Balkans.

Slovenia’s ratification was keeping NATO officials on their toes. The border dispute with Croatia has already posed big problems in Zagreb’s path towards European Union membership, with Slovenia blocking Croatia's EU accession talks in December. Many in NATO feared that Slovenia might do the same for Croatia’s membership in NATO, leaving both Albania and Croatia out and overshadowing the summit marking the 60-th anniversary of the alliance.

The protocol for Albania was backed unanimously in the Slovenian parliament. Croatia's passed by a large majority although nationalist parties called for a boycott.

Slovenian Prime Minister Borut Pahor said before Monday's vote that the NATO membership issue was different from the EU accession process.

"Slovenia's national interests are not endangered by the debate on Croatia's accession to NATO," he told deputies and urged them to back the ratification.

Source: BalkanInsight

NATO train journeys through South-Eastern Europe

Known as the GLOBSEC Express, the NATO train started running in 2007 with the aim of informally gathering young people from Central and southeastern Europe to discuss the importance of Euro-Atlantic integration and NATO’s role in security provision.

Nice iniciative!

More information: www.globsec.sk