US Prepares Serbia for NATO Cooperation

Belgrade, Dec.10th (Source: US Embassy News) - In preparation for the recent Serbia diplomatic initiatives this month, Counselor for Public Affairs Conrad Turner spoke at the conference “Partnership for Peace Program - Opportunities for Serbia?,“ at Hotel Norcev, located in Fruska Gora.
Turner provided background to Serbian officials in attendance on how to best work with NATO by giving them background on how participating NATO forces cooperate.
“When all member countries have consulted, debated and agreed on any operation, each member country commits forces or resources according to its ability and desire. National military and civilian forces from each country, which have already trained together for months and years, unite as NATO forces, but they also wear the flag of their own country,” said Turner in his opening remarks.
Turner was quick to point out that cooperation by Serbia upon becoming NATO members will be critical from the onset.
“Consensus is NATO’s central functioning principle. In my view it is part of the glue holding the alliance together, attracting new members and ensuring old ones stay. Once consensus is understood, the rest becomes easier to understand…This means that when a "NATO decision" is announced, it is the expression of the collective will of the governments of all the member countries,” emphasized Turner.
Turner pointed out to officials that voting is not the basis for all decision making at NATO, rather members consult with each other until a decision that is acceptable to all is reached. They may not agree on all the details, but all can live with the outcome. This will require new cooperation from Serbian leadership and from within the Serbian political parties, so that Serbia can efficiently arrive out its own consensus during negotiations at NATO.
Turner underlined the fact that a newly accepted Serbia would be expected to the environment of consensus, as consensus requires greater cooperation.
“The consensus principle applies throughout every level and is in play at every meeting. Majority rule is excluded. The divisiveness it might cause can undermine the commitment to implement NATO decisions, since operations depend entirely on the good will and contributions from each member country,” said Turner.
Turner reminded those in attendance that NATO members have committed to playing an active role in the security of the entire alliance, and they have agreed to pursue the same aims, and are not focused solely on their own national interests.”
The US Councilor spoke directly to the possible reservation that might have been shared by Serbian officials in attendance by pointing out that such cooperation might sound like a “fairy tale”, but he assured them that it is a very real description of the working environment at NATO, and for this reason a commitment to shared values is a very serious requirement for membership.
Turner pointed out that Serbia as a member of the Partnership for Peace (PFP) has benefits that go beyond modernization, training and improved interoperability.
“Although PFP countries do not participate in decision-making by the 28 member-countries and do not have the same level of access to NATO information, they are better informed about opinions, policies and decisions within NATO and can also make their voices heard,” said Turner.