No. 7. (13/03/98) ACTION PLAN OF THE EURO-ATLANTIC PARTNERSHIP COUNCIL FOR 1998 - 2000

Introduction
The Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council forms the overarching framework for an expanded political dimension of partnership as well as practical cooperation under PfP. As stated in the EAPC Basic Document, the EAPC will take full account of and complement the respective activities of the OSCE and other relevant institutions such as the European Union, the Western European Union and the Council of Europe. Cooperation in the EAPC will support the creation of conditions for common approaches and joint action.
Topics and Activities included in the EAPC Action Plan are aimed at structuring cooperation between the Alliance and Partners and raising the level of political and military cooperation among EAPC members. They provide opportunities for result-oriented multilateral consultations, enhanced practical cooperation, increased consultation and cooperation on regional matters, and increased transparency and confidence in security matters among all EAPC member states: Allies and Partners will consult on a broad range of political and security related issues as well as on areas for practical cooperation, including peacekeeping operations. As stipulated by the Basic Document agreed on 30 May 1997, the EAPC will provide the framework to afford Partner countries, to the maximum extent possible, increased decision making opportunities forActivities in which they participate.
PfP in its enhanced form remains a clearly identifiable element of practical cooperation in defence-related and military fields within the flexible framework of the EAPC. PfP will maintain the Alliance + 1 character reflected in the Individual Partnership Programmes, as well as the principle of self-differentiation. PfP areas of cooperation provide an increased scope for regional cooperation activities. Strengthened political consultations, the increased role Partners will play in PfP decision making and planning, and a stronger focus on operational activities are the overarching objectives of the wide ranging initiatives that are currently being implemented under the auspices of the NAC and the EAPC as a result of the Consolidated SLG Report on PfP Enhancement.

Formats
As agreed in the Basic Document, the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council will meet, as required, in different formats:
- In plenary session to address political and security-related issues of common concern and to provide information as appropriate on activities with limited participation.
- In a limited format between the Alliance and open-ended groups of Partners to focus on functional matters or, on an ad hoc basis, on appropriate regional matters. In such cases, the other EAPC members will be kept informed about the results.
- In a limited format between the Alliance and groups of Partners who participate with NATO in a peace support operation or in the Planning and Review Process or in other cases for which this format has been agreed. The other members of the EAPC will be informed as appropriate.
- In an individual format between the Alliance and one Partner.

Meetings of the EAPC at Ambassadorial or higher levels are chaired by the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance or his Deputy. The representative of a member country acts as President d'Honneur for six months.

Frequency of meetings
The Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council meets, as a general rule, at Ambassadorial level in Brussels on a monthly basis.
The Council meets twice a year at both Foreign Ministers and Defence Ministers level; additional meetings can be envisaged as required. It may also meet at the level of Heads of State or Government, when appropriate.

Committee support
The work of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council is supported regularlyby the Political Committee (PC) and the Political-Military Steering Committee (PMSC) in their configurations at Alliance with all Partners, i.e. the EAPC(PC) and the PMSC(EAPC/PfP) respectively. On an ad hoc basis an EAPC Senior Political Committee may address issues referred to it, as required. The EAPC will consider, based on evolving practical experience, whether this support could be improved by an EAPC Steering Committee (EAPC-SC) which would integrate the functions of the EAPC(PC) and the PMSC(EAPC/PfP).
The EAPC(PC) and the PMSC(EAPC/PfP) meet at least once a month, or more frequently if required. The PMSC meets, as appropriate, in an Alliance with individual Partners or Alliance with groups of Partners (e.g. PARP) configuration. Other NATO Committees will continue to expand opportunities for work with Partners on cooperation issues and will inform the EAPC on their work in this regard. Their activities will become part of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council framework. An important part of this framework will be new opportunities for Partner consultations with the Military Committee in the EAPCMC/PS. The Military Committee will also play a major role in the expanded range of opportunities for consultation and cooperation provided by the future support structure for the EAPC.

Structure of the Action Plan
The EAPC Action Plan consists of four sections. Section I covers the short-term plan for EAPC consultations and practical cooperation, with a work schedule to be established at Ambassadorial level following the Autumn and Spring Ministerials, up to the next Ministerial Meeting. Section II covers long-term programmes and lists areas for consultation and cooperation. Section III outlines a proposal for the development of an EAPC Disaster Relief Unit. In Section IV, areas of cooperation in the defence-related and military fields covered by Partnership for Peace are listed for information. Topics and activities undertaken in the Partnership for Peace are included in the PfP Partnership Work Programme, which is a separate document.

As a follow-up to each regular meeting of EAPC Foreign Ministers, EAPC Ambassadors will establish a work schedule for consultations on political and security-related issues as well as on practical cooperationActivities under the EAPC Action Plan, leading up to the following Ministerial meeting. Topics to be discussed in that period will be dictated by political and security-related developments and take into account the Ministerial meetings just completed, including the EAPC Defence Ministers' meeting. The schedule may be adjusted as necessary. Other meetings such as in Alliance+n and other formats will be scheduled on a case-by-case basis. The EAPC will be kept informed by its Chairman on relevant developments within the Alliance.
According to the EAPC Basic Document, specific subject areas on which Allies and Partners would consult in the framework of the EAPC, may include but not be limited to: political and security related matters; crisis management; regional matters; arms control issues; nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) proliferation and defence issues; international terrorism; defence planning and budgets and defence policy and strategy; security impacts of economic developments. There is also scope for consultations and cooperation on issues such as: civil emergency and disaster preparedness; armaments cooperation under the aegis of the Conference of National Armaments Directors (CNAD); nuclear safety; defence related environmental issues; civil-military coordination of air traffic management and control; scientific cooperation; and issues related to peace support operations.
As a working method, open-ended groups of EAPC members may prepare, on an ad-hoc basis, discussion papers on specific issues or regional security cooperation matters to stimulate focused and result-oriented discussions in the plenary session of the EAPC. The EAPC plenary would pass on ideas and suggestions for practical cooperation developed in this framework to relevant committees for any appropriate follow-up. The EAPC will consider, based on evolving practical experience, whether these working methods would need improvement, adaptation or extension.

Topics
1. regional matters
2. cooperation with the OSCE and other international institutions on security issues
practical cooperation issues
3. other topics to be defined

Activities
1. Seminars, workshops, expert meetings

Events planned for 1998
1. Two seminars/workshops on regional security cooperation (dates t.b.d.)
2. Meetings of NATO Regional Experts with experts from Partner countries (dates t.b.d.)

Committee support
EAPC in Political Committee session

Staff support:
International Staff, Political Affairs Division, Political Directorate

Topic
1. and long-term foreign and security policy issues

Activities
meetings of NATO's Atlantic Policy Advisory Group in EAPC format

Events planned for 1998
1. one meeting of APAG in EAPC format to be held in Finland (28 April 1998 at Haiko)

Committee support
EAPC in Political Committee session

Staff support
International Staff, Political Affairs Division, Political Directorate

Topics
1. Arms control
2. Political and defence efforts against proliferation of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons and missiles.

Activities
1. Consultations and expert meetings

Events planned for 1998
1. One meeting of EAPC/PC with disarmament experts (date t.b.d.)
2. Ad hoc consultations on proliferation

Committee support
EAPC in Political Committee session

Staff support
International Staff/Political Affairs Division/Political Directorate; Defence Planning and Operations Division

Topic
1. Conventional arms control, implementation and verification

Activities
1. Consultations, expert meetings, seminars, workshops
2. Training and courses on support of arms control implementation

Events planned for 1998
1. Two courses on general arms control orientation at NATO School, Oberammergau for all EAPC members (20-24 April, and 7-11 December)
2. Two joint Inspector Escort Training courses for CFE Cooperation Partners, and one course organized by the Czech Republic (2-13 February, and 14-25 September)
3. Continuation and adaptation of programme of Joint Multilateral Inspection Teams for CFE Cooperation Partners
4. Continuation of operation and development of the VERITY database
5. Seminar(s) on implementation of conventional arms control agreements (including CFE), with a regional focus, as appropriate

Committee Support
Verification and Coordination Committee

Staff support
International Staff, Political Affairs Division, Political Directorate

Topic
1. Identifying threats from international terrorism

Activities
1. Meetings with the NATO Special Committee

Events planned for 1998
1. Meeting(s) of the EAPC/PC with the Special Committee (date t.b.d.)

Committee support
Special Committee in EAPC format

Staff support
International Staff/NATO Office of Security

Topics
1. Common understanding of concepts and principles related to peacekeeping operations, including:
- humanitarian aspects of peacekeeping and civil-military relations;
- lessons learned from peacekeeping operations;
2. Political-military framework for NATO-led PfP operations.(1)

Activities
1. Meetings of the EAPC/PMSC Ad Hoc Group on Cooperation in Peacekeeping, inviting where appropriate international organisations and other concerned groups (dates t.b.d.) Expanded contacts and dialogue with the United Nations and OSCE on conceptual approaches to peacekeeping
2. Meetings of the Policy Coordination Group with EAPC Partners

Events planned for 1998
A seminar on civil-military cooperation in peacekeeping operations (date t.b.d.)

Committee support
EAPC/PMSC Ad Hoc Group on Cooperation in Peacekeeping; Policy Coordination Group.

Staff Support
International Staff/Political Affairs Division, Political Directorate; Defence Planning and Operations Division

Topics
1. Defence related issues

1.Resource management in defence spending
2.Transparency in defence planning and budgeting
3.Transition from conscript to professional army
4.Military base closures
5.Restructuring of defence industries (including privatisation)

2. Security aspects of economic developments - selected issues (e.g. regional cooperation, shadow economy, investment climate).
3. Economic aspects of enhanced partnership.

Activities
1. Seminars, Workshops, Expert meetings, Annual Colloquium

Events planned for 1998
For the first half of 1998
1. Seminar in Kyiv on "Resource Management in Defence spending" (February 1998)
2. Workshop in Bratislava on "Democratic Control of Defence Expenditures" (April 1998)
3. Annual NATO Economics Colloquium on "Economic Developments and Reforms in Cooperation Partner Countries"
(2nd half of June 1998, to be hosted by Slovenia)

Subsequent events(2)
4. Seminar in Sofia on "Security Aspects and Economic Implications of the Transformation of Defence Support Arrangements and Defence Industry Restructuring"
5. Open-ended Working Group on "Financial Assessment and Planning of Defence Budgets and Expenditures"; to start with a first session in Brussels and to continue with a workshop in Bucharest
6. Meeting (format to be decided) in Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia(3) on "Good Neighbourly Economic Relations and Cross Border Cooperation in South Eastern Europe" 7. Exchanges on "Real Cost of Defence as Measured in Purchasing Power Parities"

Committee support
EAPC in Economic Committee Session

Staff support
International Staff/Political Affairs Division/Economics Directorate, to be coordinated with other Divisions where necessary.

Topics
1. Participation in the Science for Peace Programme
2. Cooperation in other NATO science programmes involving primarily, but not exclusively, priority areas to be determined annually in consultation with Partner countries.

Activities
1. Supporting applied science and technology projects that relate to industrial, environmental or security-related problems;
2. Meeting of Science Committee in EAPC format at least once a year;
3. Participation of scientists from partner countries in Advanced Study Institutes (ASI) and Advanced Research Workshops (ARW), as well as the holding of such meetings in Partner countries;
4. Participation of scientists from Partner countries in Collaborative Research Grants, Linkage Grants, Science Fellowships and Expert Visit Grants;
5. Sending proceedings of NATO's scientific meetings to a central library in each eligible Partner country and disseminating other literature on the Science Programme to scientists in Partner countries;
6. Sponsoring visits of experts from Partner countries when invited by project directors in NATO member countries;
7. Assisting Partners through the use of NATO's network of referees and experts;
8. Examining how computer networks can facilitate contacts and promote more effective cooperation among scientists through the use of Networking Infrastructure Grants and Networking Supplements to Linkage Grants.

Committee support
Science Committee in EAPC format

Staff support
International Staff/Scientific and Environmental Affairs Division

Topics
1. Defence-related environmental issues
2. Additional pilot study topics of interest to Partners

Activities
1. Meeting of the Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society in EAPC format at least once a year;
2. Participation of Partners' experts in pilot study meetings, workshops, conferences, seminars, and holding pilot study meetings in Partner countries;
3. Dissemination of information on CCMS pilot studies, workshops, conferences and seminars, as well as approved reports to Partners;
4. The following pilot study topics to be pursued in 1998 will be subject to annual revision thereafter in consultation with Partners:
Environmental aspects of reusing former military lands Protecting civil populations from toxic material spills during movements of military goods Management of industrial toxic wastes and substances research Evaluation of demonstrated and emerging remedial action technologies for the treatment of contaminated land and groundwater Methodology, focalization, evaluation and scope of the environmental impact assessment Environment and security in an international context Environmental management systems in the military sector
5. Active consideration of new pilot study proposals made by either NATO or Partner countries.

Committee support
Committee on the Challenges of Modern Society in EAPC format

Staff support
International Staff/Scientific and Environmental Affairs Division.

Topics
1. Contribution to increased understanding of NATO and its policies and to a more informed debate on security matters;
2. Exploration of expectations including public expectations of the information programme;
3. Dissemination of information by electronic means.

Activities
1. Information about NATO and its policies will be made available to target audiences in cooperation partner countries, including selected institutions and organizations, inter alia through embassies of NATO member countries serving as contact points and other diplomatic liaison channels;
2. Continue and further intensify information-related cooperation with institutions established in cooperation partner countries interested and able to provide the necessary facilities, support personnel and services;
3. Visits to NATO by target groups;
4. Sponsorship of a number of experts from cooperation partner countries to attend security-related seminars in Allied countries;
5. Co-sponsorship with cooperation partners of seminars/workshops in cooperation partner countries;
6. Presentations by NATO speakers in cooperation partner countries;
7. Fellowships for academics (individual and institutional support);
8. Increased dissemination of NATO documentation and information materials in languages of cooperation partners.

Events planned for 1998
One meeting of the Committee on Information and Cultural Relations (CICR) with EAPC partners (date t.b.d.)

Committee support
Committee on Information and Cultural Relations (CICR) in EAPC format

Staff support
International Staff/Office of Information and Press

Topic
1. Civil Emergency Planning and Disaster Preparedness.

Activities
1. Establishment of a Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre at NATO HQ
2. Further development of a Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response capability. (This effort will include cooperation with UN bodies responsible for disaster relief.)

Committee support
Senior Civil Emergency Planning Committee in EAPC format

Staff support
International Staff/Infrastructure, Logistics and Civil Emergency Planning Division, NMA's as appropriate.

As stipulated by the EAPC Basic Document, Partnership for Peace in its enhanced form will be a clearly identifiable element within the flexible framework created by the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council. PfP will maintain the Alliance+1 character reflected in the Individual Partnership Programmes, as well as the principle of self-differentiation. In that context, PfP will provide increased scope for regional cooperationActivities.

Topics and Activities undertaken in the PfP are included in the PfP Partnership Work Programme which is a separate document. Below are listed the generic agreed areas of cooperation that will be updated every two years.

1. Air Defence related matters (ADF)
2. Airspace Management/Control (ASM)
3. Consultation, Command and Control, including Communications and Information systems, navigation and identification systems, interoperability aspects, procedures and terminology (C3)
4. Civil Emergency Planning (CEP)
5. Crisis Management (CRM)
6. Democratic Control of Forces and Defence Structures (DCF)
7. Defence Planning and Budgeting (DPB)
8. Defence Policy and Strategy (DPS)
9. Planning, organization and management of national defence procurement programmes and international cooperation in the armaments field (DPM)
10. Planning, organization and management of national defence research and technology (DRT)
11. Exercises and related training Activities (EX)
12. Consumer Logistics (LOG)
13. Medical services (MED)
14. Military infrastructure (MIF)
15. Conceptual planning and operational aspects of peacekeeping (PKG)
16. Operational, materiel and administrative aspects of standardization (STD)
17. Language training (LNG)
18. Meteorological support for NATO/Partner forces (MET)
19. Military exercises and related trainingActivities (TEX)
20. Military education, training and doctrine (TRD)
21. Military geography (GEO)

Footnoose
(1) One delegation reaffirmed its position that the inclusion of thewords "NATO-led" in this wording is redundant.
(2) The list does not reflect an order of priority. Implementation modalities will be worked out within the EAPC in Economic Committee session.
(3) Turkey recognizes the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.