Press Release

Unofficial translation

No. 7/97
5 February 1997

Meeting of Nordic Foreign Ministers in Oslo, 4-5 February 1997. Press release.

Developments in Europe and in the neighbouring areas to the Nordic region have given the Nordic countries new opportunities to discuss European security issues. The Foreign Ministers emphasized that the aim of EU and NATO enlargement, and the further development of practical and political cooperation between the countries of Europe, is to contribute towards enhanced stability and security in Europe. The Ministers noted that with Denmark as chairman of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, Finland as chairman of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe and Sweden as a member of the UN Security Council, and given our countries' ongoing respective commitment to the EU and NATO, the Nordic countries occupy a central position in the international arena in 1997. A new European security architecture based on cooperation and integration is emerging.

The Ministers emphasized that all countries have the right to self-determination as regards their own security in accordance with the principles of the OSCE. They intend to intensify their efforts to incorporate Russia into broader Euro-Atlantic cooperation, and emphasized the importance of Russian involvement in an enhanced PfP . The Ministers attached particular importance to further developing security policy cooperation with the Baltic countries, not least within the framework of an enhanced PfP. They emphasized that NATO's process of enlargement must remain open to all interested countries, even after the first round of enlargement .

The Ministers attached great importance to the fact that the negotiations for EU enlargement should begin at the same time for all the applicant countries. The Ministers underscored the significance of EU cooperation as an important means of achieving greater stability and security. They reiterated that the EU Intergovernmental Conference must define more clearly the profile of the EU in the field of employment and the environment, promote greater transparency in EU bodies and increase the efficiency of EU activities. They noted that the third stage of the European Monetary Union will be of significance for all of the Nordic countries. The Ministers attached great importance to strengthening the close Nordic contact on EU-EEA issues.

The Ministers pointed out the importance of the treaties of accession to the Schengen Cooperation for Denmark, Finland and Sweden and of the cooperation agreement between the Schengen countries and Norway and Iceland which was signed on 19 December 1996. The Ministers noted with great satisfaction that this will ensure that the area without travel restrictions which was established within the framework of Nordic cooperation will be maintained, at the same time as the Nordic countries will become part of a larger European area without travel restrictions. Participation in the Schengen cooperation will enhance the possibilities of combating international crime and terrorism.

The Ministers discussed the further development of cooperation with the neighbouring areas to the Nordic region, including the Arctic. They welcomed the establishment of the Arctic Council in September 1996 and stressed the importance of the council for cooperation in the adjacent areas. They wished to place greater emphasis on viewing measures in the Arctic, the Barents and Baltic Sea regions as complementary. They noted with satisfaction the conclusions of the European Council's meeting in Dublin regarding regular reports from the European Commission on regional cooperation in Europe. The regional cooperation arrangements in the Baltic Sea and Barents region and in the Arctic constitute key elements of cooperation in the neighbouring areas and of EU involvement in these areas. Efforts in the Baltic Sea region must now be concentrated on following up the programmes of action adopted at the meeting of the Baltic Sea Council in Kalmar. The Ministers noted with satisfaction the emphasis placed by the Swedish chairmanship of the Barents cooperation on increasing EU involvement in the region.

The Foreign Ministers agreed that the summit meeting of the Council of Europe in October 1997 would offer a welcome opportunity to discuss the tasks of the Council of Europe in the new Europe. The Nordic countries will jointly contribute to ensuring that the summit meeting strengthens the role of the Council of Europe in the efforts to promote human rights, the principle of the rule of law and democracy in Europe. The Ministers agreed that strengthening cooperation between the EU, the OSCE and the Council of Europe would promote democracy and security in Europe.

With regard to developments in the former Yugoslavia, the Ministers expressed deep concern about the brutality employed by the Serbian authorities against peaceful demonstrators. The Ministers underlined the importance of the Serbian authorities' complying with the OSCE recommendations of 17 November 1996 that the constituency elections should be recognized and implemented without delay and without exception. This is an important precondition for the reintegration of the FRY in international cooperation. The Serbian authorities are most strongly urged to avoid the use of violence and to comply with democratic principles. Peaceful demonstrations must be permitted, and a constructive dialogue with the opposition must be started. Even the worrying situation in Kosovo can best be solved through dialogue and the application of democratic principles. The Ministers noted with satisfaction the agreement as regards continuing the Nordic involvement in the NATO-headed SFOR force in Bosnia-Herzegovina. They stressed that full compliance with the provisions of the Dayton Accord by all parties is a condition for international aid to Bosnia-Herzegovina.

The Ministers noted with satisfaction that the new UN Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, has so clearly underscored the need for reforms in the UN and will present a concrete proposal to the General Assembly this autumn. They looked forward to close cooperation with the Secretary-General with a view to strengthening and increasing the efficiency of UN activities.

The Ministers confirmed that Nordic cooperation on peacekeeping operations will be intensified. They underlined the importance of cooperation between military forces, humanitarian and other civilian units, and of adequate preparations, so as to be able to implement measures at short notice.

The Foreign Ministers welcomed the fact that Israel and the PLO have now reached agreement concerning the redeployment of forces in Hebron and on the West Bank. The peace process in the Middle East is now moving forward again. The Ministers stressed the importance of implementing the agreements as scheduled, and of reopening negotiations on a final solution of other outstanding issues as soon as possible. The Nordic countries will continue to actively support further efforts, for instance by providing financial assistance to the Palestinians, contributing to the multilateral peace process, supporting efforts to promote human rights and participating in the observer forces in Hebron.

The Foreign Ministers agreed on the importance of maintaining a dialogue with Turkey in order to ensure that the country remains within the European structures of cooperation. At the same time, they expressed great concern about the human rights situation in Turkey. The Ministers underscored the importance of efforts to prevent torture and abuse, disappearances and extra-judicial executions, and of amending legislation to safeguard freedom of expression and equality before the law. Promises of human rights and democratic reforms made by the Turkish government in connection with the conclusion of the customs union agreement with the EU have not been fulfilled. The proposals concerning such issues which have been presented by the Turkish government must be implemented without delay and followed up by further and more extensive measures. The Nordic countries wish to contribute to improving the human rights situation in Turkey by a number of measures, which they will seek to implement in consultation and cooperation with the Turkish authorities and international organizations such as the Council of Europe, the OSCE and the UN. The Ministers stressed the importance of the efforts of NGOs in connection with human rights in Turkey.

The Foreign Ministers pointed out that the efforts to achieve a lasting solution to the Cyprus conflict must now be intensified, so that a solution may be found as soon as possible.

The Ministers discussed several questions related to the approaching session of the UN Human Rights Commission and in this regard expressed concern about the political and human rights situation in Myanmar, which is steadily deteriorating. They demanded that the government of Myanmar immediately release all NLD members and other political prisoners, lift the restrictions on Aung San Suu Kyi's internal and international contacts and freedom of movement, and enter into a dialogue with the democratic opposition with a view to restoring democracy and respect for human rights. The Ministers pointed out that the entire world community stands united behind the demand for a peaceful transition to democratic rule in Myanmar.