There is much in this cooperative approach to regional security that has applicability elsewhere. European and regional security in the 21st Century have to be about building long term relationships based on trust and transparency. We need to make full use of the opportunities that the EAPC and PfP provide for information sharing and exchange. We should also strengthen EAPC consultation with other organisations. Benita Ferrero Waldner's address to the EAPC last month as President in Office of the OSCE was a welcome precedent on which we need to build.
Practical cooperation is a key strength of our partnership.
I am particularly pleased that the nations of the region are taking this work forward together through the South East European Security Cooperation Steering Group. We also need to strengthen our joint work in the EAPC on issues that impact more widely on our security. 2001 will be a crucial year for advancing work to tackle the small arms problem, particularly with the UN conference now set for July. Energising work on small arms and light weapons in support of the OSCE document, agreed last month in Vienna, should be a priority. We need to spread respect for internationally agreed norms and standards of behaviour.