Maris Riekstins: Investment by the international community to improve the security situation in Afghanistan crucial in run-up to presidential elections

On 5 March, Foreign Minister Maris Riekstins took part in the meeting of NATO foreign ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels. At the meeting the major focus was on preparations for the forthcoming summit of NATO Heads of State and Government, the situation in Afghanistan, and NATO – Russia relations. Within the framework of the meeting, the NATO - Georgia and NATO - Ukraine commissions also held talks.

In discussing the situation in Afghanistan, the ministers emphasised the necessity for both NATO and the international community at large to invest more effort towards the improvement of the security situation, particularly in the context of the forthcoming presidential elections in Afghanistan.  Speaking about the involvement of states within the region, Foreign Minister Riekstins invited a greater focus of attention on the role of Central Asian states in the stabilisation of Afghanistan, noting especially the close relationships of these states with Afghanistan and its community. 

During the meeting the ministers reviewed the relationship with Russia, and evaluated developments since the last meeting of ministers in December 2008.  The ministers moved for the renewal of political dialogue with Russia, including the organisation of a meeting of the NATO – Russia Council at ministerial level, following the NATO member state meeting in April 2009.

The ministers were agreed that in the dialogue with Russia it is necessary to discuss not only matters of mutual interest, but also to discuss issues on which the NATO position differs from that of Russia, including the question of Russia's obligations with regard to the normalisation of the Russia – Georgia conflict.

The foreign ministers also debated the Declaration on Alliance Security, which is planned for ratification at the Summit Meeting of NATO Heads of State and Government in Strasbourg, France and Kehl, Germany from 3-4 April 2009.  Ratification of the declaration will be the first step in the elaboration of a NATO Strategic Concept.  Since the ratification of the existing Strategic Concept in 1999, the international security situation has changed quite radically and NATO has been expanded a number of times. A new strategic concept is necessary so that NATO may be able to deal more effectively with international security challenges. "In addressing the new challenges, it is important to maintain the core collective security tasks of NATO, maintaining a balance between the ongoing capacity for implementing operations and defending the interests of the member states within the territory of NATO," emphasised Foreign Minister Riekstins.

At the meeting with Georgian and Ukrainian colleagues the NATO foreign ministers reviewed the achievements of both nations in the process of reforms. The ministers confirmed their support for Georgian and Ukrainian moves towards Euro-Atlantic integration and expressed readiness to commence work soon on the implementation of the Annual National Program (for membership), on which agreement had been achieved late last year.  

The NATO – Georgia Commission was the forum at which the ministers debated the security situation in various conflict zones. Addressing the NATO – Georgia Commission as a representative of the NATO Contact Point Embassy, Minister Riekstins noted the positive decisions concerning the extension of mandates for both the OSCE and the UN missions. At the same time Minister Riekstins emphasised the necessity of boosting further the international presence throughout the entire territory of Georgia, and in guaranteeing the uninterrupted access by OSCE observers to South Ossetia.

While at the meeting, Foreign Minister Riekstins also had the opportunity for an exchange of views at bilateral level with other foreign ministers, including the U. S. Secretary of State, Hillary Clinton, and the Canadian Minister for Foreign Affairs, Lawrence Cannon.

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