Dr Seppo Kääriäinen, Minister of Defence of Finland, international Research Seminar, MOD and NATO Defence College, Houses of Parliament, Helsinki

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good morning to you all. I am most delighted of such a distinguished, international audience.

Indeed, our seminar is a great occasion to elaborate on issues, which are of relevance both to the Alliance and to its Partners. Furthermore, the seminar is timely because of the coming Istanbul Summit in June. Consequently, I would like to elaborate on two topics that might contribute to the overall discussion on regional issues, namely on 'Challenges' and on 'Responses'.

The theme of the seminar 'Caucasus region: promoting values through co-operation' is highly interesting. The Caucasus region is in the focus of international attention and it is important to identify and develop channels for further co-operation there. Obviously, a variety of interests are present in the zone. The level of integration extends from the full NATO membership of Turkey to increased integration of PfP countries of the area -Armenia, Azerbaidan and Georgia- to Russia's special status within the NATO-Russia Council (NRC) and, finally, to the promotion of co-operation with non-member countries. In fact, co-operation is a key element in any area, which, sensu largo (at large) harbours a variety of diverging interests.

It is exactly this line of thinking that the June Istanbul Summit will underline in reaching out to NATO partners, including the Caucasus area.

An enormous potentiality for wider co-operation exists, especially because the states of the region are committed to such purposes. This momentum should not be lost.

The seminar's approach to regional co-operation is based on values. Co-operation is a tool for promoting common values, which obviously need to be identified. One specific area of interest is security, which can be understood as a common value both inside and outside state borders.

In general, the content of our idea of security is usually defined through threats to security. Consequently, terrorism, proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, failed states with degrading or non-existing government structures and flagrant human rights abuses are all identified as challenges of this century. Often these challenges have also been qualified as threats to peace and security by the United Nations Security Council, even inside state borders. Threats to security no longer originate from the state level only, but are instead a mix of various motives, which are often of purely internal character. The nature of threats of this century is different of those of the early days of the Alliance.

When talking about the threats to security emphasis should be removed to various responses. The prevention of conflicts is more and more often emphasized as a preferable means to act. The roots of potential crises should be addressed beforehand, avoiding escalation of situations into internal or external conflicts of states. Credible prevention is based on solid co-operation at the national, regional and international level. The crucial question is: how to enhance such preventive co-operation?



In case of open conflicts, prevention has failed. The role of the international community, including regional players, becomes accentuated. Intervention, that is the use of force as a response, is tied to the rules of international law on the matter, primarily to the UN Charter. However, as shown by recent crises, these rules are less authoritative, and are no longer able to control state behaviour due to the United Nations Security Council inaction. There is a significant gap in law as regards to unilateral armed reaction in open conflicts. Legal relations need redefinition. Again, active contribution of states is needed for creation of common rules, whether by amending conventional law or opting for the development of custom.

Third, post-conflict phases require equally the attention of regional and international players. Rebuilding and heeling societies is of utmost importance, if conflict-torn societies are to be re-integrated to the international community. Lessons of Bosnia, Kosovo, and latest, of Afganistan, provide us with valuable guidance. Needless to say, seeds of threats to security easily find fertile ground in conflict-torn societies, particularly if they are left without attention.

This challenge of promoting security through co-operation is no doubt complex. Likewise, the response in meeting the challenge needs to reflect such manifold reality. Responses are consequently elaborated at the national, regional and international levels, under a comprehensive concept of security. A shift in thinking, from traditional defence doctrines to capability-based approach, is taking place. There is a will to meet the challenge of modern security. Quoting the Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer regarding Istabul Summit agenda: 'In this new, complex environment, we can still very much shape events and not be their victims' We must shape the change. There are plenty of opportunities to do so. Because we have the instruments previous generations lacked.

The regional context provides a good forum for encouraging co-operation, in order to meet new challenges. As already mentioned, the emphasis is rationally on conflict prevention, including closer integration of societies to co-operation with their neighbours.

As regards to the NATO framework, the enhanced partnership is one of the channels. Active contributions of individual PfP and Partner countries are significant for promoting the goals of co-operation. We remember also, that in the Prague Summit in 2002, a stronger focus was given to the regional and functional co-operation. Groups of countries are encouraged to work together on practical issues of common concern, such as civil-emergency planning and regional security issues. Prevention takes place at the grass-root level.

Terrorism is identified as an area requiring attention at the regional level. Special activities are carried out through the Partnership Action Plan on Terrorism. Threat to security posed by terrorism is addressed both at the organization level and at the state level. The multiple character of the threat is met only with concerted efforts.

Responses for challenges are also searched inside the NATO structures. The solidarity and collective defence of the alliance is connected to means to respond to modern threats. Political resolve and modern military capabilities and flexibility in using force has been emphasized.

No challenge is, however, confronted alone. Credible responses are sought in co-operation with other regional players, especially with the European Union and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, and at the international level, with the United Nations. The areas of expertise of each of these players are obviously best used if a synchronized effort is made to tackle regional problems. A concerted effort consists of action, based on specific capabilities of each of the players involved.

The role of regional organizations is evident, in their specific areas of interest. The UN, as a global organization provides the general framework within the regional actors operate. This was already thought as a best solution by the drafters of its Charter. Regional action became an integral part of international action, both in peace keeping and in promotion of economic and social progress. The regional expertise, supported by global efforts at the UN level, are likely to lead to global results.

This approach described above obviously extends wider than only to the Caucasus region. Possibilities are many, if supported by a political consensus for promoting common values for us all that we all share.

Thank you for your kind attention.

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