It is developing further as a viable vehicle for discussions on civic security including racketeering, narcotics trafficking, and smuggling. Indeed, the Special CBSS Task Force to fight organised crime will report its findings at next month's CBSS meeting of Heads of Government in Riga. Civic security issues are where the EAPC and CBSS meet. A wider exchange of information between the two fora could therefore be useful. PfP exercises in our region are an effective way of encouraging regional contact, cooperation and trust.
Crisis management is another area offering potential.
The proposal by Russia to enhance the Euro-Atlantic capacity for disaster preparedness deserves support as it can also serve as a building block for increased confidence through practical cooperation. We welcome the US-Swedish initiative on Defence Environmental cooperation that was presented here two weeks ago. The CCMS project on conversion and cleaning of military bases in the Latvian port of Liepaja has stimulated enthusiastic interest and could be more effectively pursued with the support of countries in the region. Let me just add that Latvia is now preparing for the Intensified Dialogue sessions which we would like to continue early next year. We trust that the experience gained from the accession process of the three invited countries will further enrich our dialogue with the Alliance.