Western Balkans: developments in the region and Estonia s contribution

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1 Western Balkans: developments in the region and Estonia s contribution Raul Toomas Western Balkans desk officer Supporting the further development and the European-Atlantic integration of the Western Balkans countries is one of the foreign policy priorities of both the European Union and NATO. In carrying out the reforms, the countries should focus on the actual functioning of the institutions, application of European standards in the sphere of public administration, justice and home affairs, protection of the human rights and the rights of the minorities and fight against organised crime. The EU, NATO and Western Balkans The Thessaloniki summit of the EU and the Western Balkans countries on 21 June 2003 confirmed the importance of the development of the Western Balkans for the EU. It also reiterated the EU membership perspective of the Western Balkans, upon the fulfilment by these countries of certain conditions. Estonia has consistently supported the European integration aspirations of these countries. A consistent and clear EU perspective is necessary for the normal development of the region and also for putting an end to old disagreements. The main instrument of ensuring the stability of the Western Balkans and the success of reforms is the stabilisation and association process, which is implemented through the stabilisation and association agreements (SAA). Similar to the European agreements of the Central and Eastern European countries the SAAs provide for the development of the market economy and competitiveness, harmonisation of legislation, application of European standards in the justice and home affairs, environment, energy, telecommunications and transport. The SAAs are tailored separately for each Western Balkans country. The SAA between the EU and Albania was signed in June 2006, negotiations with Montenegro were concluded in December The negotiations with Bosnia and Herzegovina are currently continuing. The negotiations with Serbia were suspended in May 2006 on the recommendation of the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Tribunal in Hague, Carla de Ponte, pending the arrest of 92

2 WESTERN BALKANS: DEVELOPMENTS IN THE REGION AND ESTONIA S CONTRIBUTION 2006 the war criminal, General Ratko Mladic. With Croatia and Macedonia the SAAs have entered into force, respectively in 2005 and Estonia is interested that the SAA with Bosnia and Herzegovina would be concluded as soon as possible, in order to ensure a more homogenous development of the region towards European integration. In their EU presidency agendas for 2006, Austria and Finland set as their priorities the issues related to Western Balkans. Keeping the Western Balkan countries on a Euro- Atlantic course through positive engagement is the only way of maintaining stability and development of the region. The highlight of the NATO integration developments of the Western Balkans in 2006 was the NATO summit in Riga, which decided to invite Serbia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina to join NATO s Partnership for Peace program (PfP). As well as supporting the European integration efforts of these countries, Estonia regards as highly important also the continuation of the NATO open doors policy, as this contributes to stability, democracy and security in the Euro-Atlantic area. The invitation of the above named countries to join PfP is an achievement, which enables NATO to further support the democratic developments in these countries. Estonia s relations with the Western Balkans countries Western Balkans is a priority region for Estonia s foreign policy. Therefore in 2006 Estonia increased its active contribution to the region s development and intensified also bilateral contacts with the Western Balkans countries. Estonia supports the EU perspective offered to the Western Balkans countries. We know from our own experience how important this perspective is as a motivation for conducting important reforms and how it unites different political forces and mobilises the administration for one joint purpose. The accession negotiations with Croatia have already started; Macedonia was awarded the status of an EU candidate country by the 2005 European Council; other Western Balkan countries are regarded as potential membership candidates. Taking into account our own accession experience Estonia has a possibility to contribute through development cooperation, passing on the accession and reform experience and also acting on a political level by ensuring that the EU enlargement would continue according to the foundations that have been agreed. How has Estonia contributed so far? Compared to earlier years, the relations between Estonia and the Western Balkans countries intensified considerably in There were several bilateral visits by foreign ministers, members of Parliament and officials, which helped us to learn more about the region and introduce Estonia. Estonia s foreign minister Urmas Paet visited 93

3 2006 ESTONIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS YEARBOOK Macedonia, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Estonia was in turn visited by the foreign ministers of Montenegro, Serbia and Montenegro, Macedonia and Albania. During the last-mentioned visit a first international agreement between Estonia and Albania was signed an agreement on the protection of classified information. During the last years Estonia has accredited non-residing ambassadors to all Western Balkans countries. Due to its small size and limited resources Estonia has not been able to open embassies in these countries. The task of the non-residing ambassadors is to obtain information from direct sources, create contacts and find opportunities for cooperation. After Montenegro s independence as a result of the referendum held on 3 June 2006 the confederation of Serbia and Montenegro ceased to exist. At the background of the bloody conflicts and ethnic and religious hostility unleashed after the break-up of former Yugoslavia, the peaceful and smooth independence process of Montenegro can be considered a historical moment for the Western Balkans. As the first country in the world Estonia concluded diplomatic relations with the Republic of Montenegro and the Estonian ambassador Karin Jaani was also first to present her credentials to the President of the Republic of Montenegro. Since becoming independent the political and economic development of Montenegro has been fast, and soon it will be able to sign a stabilisation an association agreement with the European Union. This creates a good environment for the development of the political and economic relations between Estonia and Montenegro. The most acute challenge in the Western Balkans region in 2006 was the issue of the status of Kosovo. Based on the decision of the UN Security Council, negotiations on the status between Kosovo Albanians and Kosovo Serbs began on 20 February. The negotiations, led by the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General Martti Ahtisaari lasted until November-December. Mr Ahtisaari has announced that he intends to present his proposals regarding the status of Kosovo to the UN Security council at the beginning of 2007, after the presidential elections held in January in Serbia. Estonia has consistently supported the work of special envoy Ahtisaari on the issue of the status of Kosovo. In order to ensure a sustainable solution, a coordinated and united approach of the international community is vital. Therefore it is important that the EU will maintain a joint position and speak with one voice on the issue of Kosovo. Estonia has offered its contribution to securing peace and stability on the Western Balkans, by participating in international peace support missions in Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina and by continuing to contribute to the EU and NATO operations in the region. In Kosovo the Estonian defence force has been participating in the NATOled peace support mission since November In 2006 Estonia was represented 94

4 WESTERN BALKANS: DEVELOPMENTS IN THE REGION AND ESTONIA S CONTRIBUTION 2006 with staff officers, a multi-specialized unit in Priština and an infantry company located in Northern Kosovo. In Bosnia and Herzegovina the Estonian defence force has participated in peace support missions since In 2006 Estonia contributed with police officers for the European Union Police Mission (EUPM), and with staff officers and an infantry unit of the voluntary Defence League for the European Union military mission EUFOR-ALTHEA. The Western Balkans countries are keen to learn from Estonia s experience of reforms and accession to NATO and the EU. So far Estonia has mainly arranged training and seminars in several areas: development of the institutional capability of local government and the judicial system; information policy and information society; various aspects of the border guard service; application of partnership programmes; state budget process; training of the judges, police and defence personnel. The four main projects carried out in 2006 were: 1) A Estonia-Macedonia joint seminar on Estonia s experience on the use of the EU development assistance funds (July 2006, Skopje) 2) A seminar for the regional chiefs of the Western Balkan countries border guard services, organised by the Estonian Border Guard and the Geneva Centre for the Democratic Control of the Armed Forces. The seminar introduced the experience of the Estonian Border Guard on the control of the sea and land border, risk analysis, investigation of cross-border crime, and training (August-September, Tallinn) 3) A working level seminar, where the Baltic states introduced to the representatives of Croatia, Macedonia and Albania strategies targeted at achieving an invitation to NATO and experience gained from this process (11 November, Tapa training centre in Estonia) 4) During 2006/2007 academic year Estonia finances the studies of one representative of the Macedonian defence forces at the Baltic Defence College in Tartu. So far Estonia s experience has attracted most attention in Croatia and lately also in Macedonia, where the main interest is in Estonia s experience in the field of information technology. The Government of Macedonia has also taken Estonia s reforms as an example when making economic policy decisions, notably in the field of taxation and e-government. The way ahead As the Western Balkans continue to remain a priority area, Estonia is interested in developing ties with the countries of the region at all levels and creating contacts between various ministries and government agencies. It is also important to continue developing the contacts between the parliaments of Estonia and the Western Balkans countries. 95

5 2006 ESTONIAN MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS YEARBOOK In the sphere of bilateral relations we regard also the development of economic cooperation as a priority. It is important to develop direct links between the chambers of trade and industry and between businesses, as a means of closer introducing the Western Balkans countries to the Estonian business sector. It is important to offer support to Estonian entrepreneurs interested in doing business with the Western Balkans. Estonia is also interested in further developing the contractual basis with all Western Balkans countries and conclude bilateral agreements beneficial to both sides. Estonia will also continue offering its experience on EU and NATO integration. In this regard, it is important to pay increased attention to designing and implementing development cooperation projects, including trilateral projects. Definitely the participation of Estonia s defence and police personnel in the international missions on the Western Balkans remains a priority. We hope that it will be possible to ensure the enlisting of more Estonian experts also to the missions of other international organisations (UN, OSCE etc), with the aim of building a democratic society in the Western Balkans region. Kosovo offers an excellent opportunity for this. It can be foreseen that after the decision of the status issue the need for an international presence in Kosovo will remain. Estonia regards as important the preparations for an international civil mission in Kosovo and is prepared to contribute with personnel to the mission. 96