Estonia Supports Giving of NATO Membership Action Plan to Montenegro and Action Plan for Bosnia and Herzegovina Soon
04.12.2009
According to Foreign Minister Urmas Paet, the decision made by the
NATO foreign ministers today to give a NATO Membership Action Plan
(MAP) to Montenegro and the confirmation that a MAP will soon be given
to Bosnia and Herzegovina will strengthen Europe’s security.
The NATO foreign ministers decided to give Montenegro a Membership
Action Plan. Paet stated that Montenegro continues to show its concrete
dedication to implementing reforms and its aspiration to become a
future member of NATO.
The NATO foreign ministers confirmed that NATO’s doors will remain
open to all democratic European nations that share NATO’s values and
are prepared to fulfil the responsibilities and obligations that are
required for membership. Foreign Minister Paet said that Estonia has
always been a strong supporter of NATO enlargement and the MAP.
Paet confirmed that the NATO Membership Action Plan is an effective
and successful tool that helps new democracies carry out reforms. “At
the same time, the MAP does not automatically mean membership in NATO,”
Paet stressed. He added that there are different paths for achieving
NATO membership—equally valuable is the compilation and fulfilment of
an Annual National Plan (ANP).
Foreign Minister Paet stated that the NATO foreign ministers
emphasised that NATO enlargement is the most effective way to bring
stability and well-being to the Western Balkan region.
The NATO foreign ministers confirmed their readiness to give a MAP
to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Paet said that the stability of Bosnia and
Herzegovina is very important to the entire Balkan region. Paet also
noted that the NATO foreign ministers agreed that Bosnia and
Herzegovina has achieved great success in carrying out its reforms and
they welcomed the country’s application for a Membership Action Plan.
The NATO foreign ministers called upon Bosnia and Herzegovina to
continue its close co-operation with NATO through intensive dialogue
and the Individual Partnership Action Plan. “Estonia supports and
encourages Bosnia and Herzegovina to continue its successful work with
reforms,” Paet confirmed.
The foreign ministers also agreed that a detailed discussion over
the new strategic concept will take place at the next NATO foreign
ministers’ meeting, which will take place in Tallinn in April of 2010.
