The Partnership for Peace (PfP) was launched by NATO in 1994 to enhance
stability and security throughout the Euro-Atlantic area. PfP focuses on
defence-related cooperation between each Partner Country and NATO. Since its
creation the PfP programme 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, almost 2.5 million APLs have been successfully destroyed in the
framework of the NATO/PfP Trust Fund. 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), Ukraine (completed in 2003 – 400,000
APLs destroyed) and Tajikistan (completed in 2004 – 1,250 APLs destroyed).
The most recent Trust Fund project for the destruction of landmines was
launched in Serbia and Montenegro in February 2005. The aim of the project is
to destroy Serbia and Montenegro’s remaining stockpile of 1.3 million APLs
by May 2007. The project is progressing well, the average daily amount of
destroyed mines being approximately 4,000.
Since its initial 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 been expanded to encompass those countries participating in Mediterranean
Dialogue and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative.
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 policy
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 as EU, OSCE, UNDP and NGO’s such as
the 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. They offer a
range of technical and management services to support nations in all phase 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.