The Partnership for Peace (PfP) was launched by NATO in 1994 to enhance
stability and security throughout the Euroatlantic area. PfP focuses on
defence-related cooperation between each Partner Country and NATO. Since its
creation it has been joined by 30 countries, ten of which have since become
members of the Alliance.
The NATO PfP Trust Fund was established in September 2000 as a mechanism to
assist NATO Partner Countries in the safe destruction of stockpiled
anti-personnel landmines (APLs), in order to fulfil their obligations to the
Ottawa Convention. While there are many international organisations working on
landmine issues including de-mining and victim assistance, NATO’s focus
has been on the destruction of nations’ stockpiles. This is not only aimed
at removing these weapons from their inventories but it also supports the
process of defence reform, along democratic standards, of their overall military
capacity and reduces the cost of maintaining surplus and unnecessary military
equipment.
To date, more than two million APLs have been successfully destroyed in the
framework of NATO PfP Trust Funds. The first Trust Fund project was launched in
January 2001 for the destruction of Albania’s APL stockpile. In total 1.6
million APLs were destroyed in Albania by means of a range of environmentally
friendly industrial processes. The project was completed on schedule and within
budget, and it paved the way for subsequent PfP Trust Fund projects for the
destruction of landmines in the Republic of Moldova (completed in 2002 –
12 000 APLs destroyed) and Ukraine (completed in 2003 – 400 000 APLs
destroyed).
The most recent Trust Fund project undertaken in March 2004, with the UNDP,
helped Tajikistan to destroy its remaining stockpile of APLs (1,250), ensuring
that the country could meet its commitment to the Ottawa Convention within the
necessary timeframe. This was the first Trust Fund project in Central Asia and
will hopefully lead the way for other projects in the region.
Since its launch, the scope of the Trust Fund policy has been extended twice.
Current Trust Fund policy also addresses the destruction of small arms and light
weapons (SALW) and activities to support the wider consequences of defence
reform. This is currently happening, for example, in Georgia, where an ongoing
PfP Trust Fund is dealing with the demilitarisation of guided missiles. In
addition to Partner Nations, the Trust Fund project concept has recently been
expanded to encompass those countries participating in Mediterranean Dialogue
and Istanbul Cooperation Initiatives.
The NATO PfP Trust Fund is a mechanism by which NATO members work together
with individual Partner Countries to identify and implement projects. There is
no overall ‘fund’ as such but individual projects are addressed,
supported and financed on a purely voluntary basis. Any nation or organisation
may offer support to a specific project by funding, provision of equipment or
contributions-in-kind, such as expert personnel, as required by the specific
project proposal. In addition to external help, it is expected that the partner
host nation should provide the maximum support within its means. This may
include contributions-in-kind, such as packing and re-packing munitions, office
space, local transportation, interpretation and security. The Trust Fund also
expects government support in overcoming bureaucratic procedures such as VAT
exemption and easing of customs for import and exports in completing the
project. Where necessary this may include the enacting of legislation to enable
the project to proceed. Contributions from donors are set out in a standardised
agreement with the NATO Financial Controller, who acts as treasurer for each
project.
A formal proposal is prepared for each project which will include such
information as the number and type of mines, munitions or SALW to be destroyed,
method of destruction and assessment of costs. The proposal will also set out
how the project will be implemented and verified and include a financial and
communication plan. An environmental assessment may also be required, dependent
on the scope, nature and methodology employed in undertaking the project.
The project proposal will identify an executing agent responsible for
implementation of the technical and financial aspects of the project. While NATO
staff can provide advice and guidance, nations are responsible for deciding
which ideas are developed and presented as project proposals. The project
proposals reflect a combined effort of staff working closely with nations and
other international organisations such EU, OSCE, UNDP and NGO’s such as
Geneva Centre for Humanitarian Mine Action, and Landmine Monitor.
The NATO Maintenance and Supply Agency (NAMSA) has been essential in the
development of projects under this policy. NAMSA has more than 40 years
experience in international contracting and project management. It offers a
range of technical and management services to support nations in all phases of
project development – fleshing out an idea through to international
contracting and in country project management. Nations have responsibility to
choose the executing agent for each project. With the exception of the project
in Tajikistan, NAMSA has been the executing agent for all PfP projects so far.