Prof.asoc. dr. Bejtush GASHI MKSF Deputy Minister International Conference Smart Defense Innovative Approach in facing the present security challenges, (Tirana International Hotel, 27 April 2012) International Conference Smart Defence (Tiranë, 27 April 2012) The concept of Smart Defense (Intelligence) in the context of Kosovo In order to describe simply and clearly the concept of Smart Defense - or - Smart (Intelligence) Defence, should be refer the reflection of the Secretary General of NATO said recently, "If you can not spend more, should explore how to spend better In fact, to simplify further this definition, I consider the Smart Defence based on setting of the priorities in smart way; in better coordination and sharing of specialized skills in an intelligent way within the concept of the collective defense to the action of the NATO member countries. Smart Defence undoubtedly tends to establish a culture of collaboration which also determines the direction of NATO and national priorities as well as specialization where it s neccessary and multinational cooperation as the preferable option. Furthermore, period of the post-chicago will undoubtedly bring a new process of the gradual reform come out as the demand from the concept mentioned above. Today we are witness that even developed countries with western democracy since both members of NATO have decided to cut expenditures, so let me take some examples: The Netherlands does not commit further maritime discoveries, and has removed all tanks Leopart 2. Denmark does not operationalizes the submarines. UK has removed the naval aviation, although the purpose of its recovery in the future. There are also many examples of joint activities and capabilities among the NATO nations. Baltic countries share the college of staff, Germany and the Netherlands share operational staffs, Belgium, Netherlands and Luxembourg signed an agreement with far-reaching cooperation in logistics, training and equipment, while France, Germany and the Netherlands agreed to develop a separation and joint adjustment to supply airto-air with fuel. Turkey is considering options on how to implement the concept of Smart Defense. One of such projects, is stand up of the capacities to the Centre of Excellence (Training Center) in Ankara, the joint training of allies in the fight against terrorism. While Romania takes part in Smart Defense 31 programs, from 168 such at NATO level. Romania has been involved in various projects of regional cooperation 1
within the Smart Defense. For example, Romania, Croatia and Bulgaria, must renew air fleet, so MIG21 soon will be drawn out of service Ironically the present reality of the financial crisis, mutual cooperation is seen as the only model of salvation, always based on principles of solidarity and goodwill. The concept of Smart Defense - derived from the new Strategic Concept of NATO and will be formalized at NATO Summit in Chicago on 20 and 21 May. This concept implies the coordination of Member Countries in developing projects of common security and defense, by means of either is being made possible savings of the funds. It is very important for Western Balkan countries, because they have financial constraints and the capacities to develop the projects of the defense. In this context, smart defence is primary to NATO, because it has to do with clear determination of the priorities and stand behind them, is about the specialization, the right and defender capacity, and with a narrower use which enable more efficient defence and safe as well. In the Chicago Summit, "smart defense" - priority, specialization and larger cooperation - will turn into a long-term capacities strategy. This strategy includes three main components: the first, a clear set of multinational projects to address critical shortages of capacity, the second, long-term multinational projects that involving missile defense, ground Surveillance System of the Alliance Air Patrol, the third, strategic projects for the year of 2020 to cover such areas as the Joint Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, and supply in air. Prioritization or aligning national capability priorities with those of NATO has been a challenge for some years, hereupon Smart Defence concept have been developed the opportunity for a transparent, cooperative and cost-effective approach to meet essential capability requirements; Specialization financial crisis that make pressure to the countries as well as enforce to take unilateral decisions and to abandon some certain capabilities. In this way, NATO should encourage member countries to be spesialised through planning and designing, so that members concentrate on their national strengths/priorities and agree to coordinate planned defence budget cuts among the Allies, while maintaining national sovereignty for their final decision. By means of this envisaged concept the joint investments in area of defense by the CYPERSECURITY (building of the common systems to be protected from the cybernetics attacks); Cooperation in air defense capabilities and provide a common air space (equipment of European member countries with attacker jet without pilot); 2
Trainings and joint exercises and military - maneuvers and joint military trainings; Coordination of the NATO peacekeeping missions (standardization of the operational plans as well as armaments; Spending of the money and funds available in an smart (intelligent) way; Thirteen years after the air military intervention of the NATO, and four years after declaring of the independence, Kosovo is experiencing two types of international presence - the civil mainly run by the European Union, and military run by KFOR. Despite differences in light of status and statehood of Kosovo, NATO is also directly involved in the process of state building, especially in establishment of the Kosovo Security Force completely under the NATO standards, through the accomplishment of the Operational Capacity - these obligations were taken by the Kosovo institutions. Being treated as a country - sui generis, international responsibility over Kosovo remains divided between NATO and EU, as a country with Euro-Atlantic clear perspective. However, the contradictions of the Kosovo statehood, the legal and political confusion as a result of the Security Council Resolution 1244, as well as discordant of Member States in their attitudes about these two organizations to Kosovo, causing dilemmas and ambiguities, so which is the accurate role of the international presence, four years after the Independence? The concept of international crisis management, adopted by these two organizations, must certainly be fair reflection of the Smart Defence - despite the lack of conventional military forces at home in the case of Kosovo. Kosovo supports the new concept of security policy, cooperation and coordination at international level. However, to accomplish this goal at this stage, Kosovo is lacking a clear definition of the environmental security while the security policy based on capacity/support of the KFOR and EULEX. For the creation of this situation, it has had great influence the activities of the criminal gangs of all kinds sponsored by Serbia, which have prevented and they are interrupting the Kosovo's security institutions to exercise sovereignty over the entire territory of Kosovo. Lack of interoperability to the capabilities and the international civilian and military priorities are beng constantly challenged and this was demonstrated recently by the European Parliament statements to the Secretary General of the NATO related to EULEX is under-resourced to respond the challenges, mainly in the north of Kosovo. In fact, Kosovo, which is experiencing an important stage of state-building in the security sector should take advantage of this international presence not only in the support and advice - but the first of all to be entitled to have access into international military assets which remain in Kosovo since 1999. 3
Currently, NATO forces represented by the mission of the KFOR have about 6.226 soldiers, while about 2, 000 European bureaucrats continue to support the Rule of Law under the EULEX mission, as mission largest ever civilian of EU. In this constellation, Kosovo remains the paradox - the country with the largest presence of international civilian and military, but also the most isolated in terms of membership and binding of the contractual relations. But which should be relevance and contribution after the Chicago Summit under the concept of Smart Defence? Being strategically directed towards the two Euro-Atlantic alliances, Kosovo should enjoy the right to contribute to international peacekeeping operations, which has demonstrated through political will, strategic documents and its commitment to civil emergency operations (rescue) in Albania etc.. Finally, upon the commencment of the process to the Strategic Review of the Security Sector is expected to be completed in middle of the year 2013, and eventually change the mandate of the Kosovo Security Force, the international military presence should be capitalized for the promotion of local ownership and transfer of its responsibilities to the local people. Historical connection, emotional and strategic with the NATO is the largest warrantor that Kosovo remains committed to accomplish the criteria required under democratic civilian control of the armed forces. Finally, Smart Defence after the Chicago Summit should be present in the case of Kosovo as well, a country with the most current specifications and challenges in the Western Balkans, and in Europe. Conclusion The key factor of progress to the regional cooperation initiatives and projects are shared among regional countries. There can be no cooperation, partnership, or regional integration, while Kosovo is blocked in these processes. Integration of Kosovo into regional structures and initiatives strengthens the Regional Partnership, and the partnership gives us the power, security and opportunity to face the challenges and dangers of all kinds. Admittedly it can not claim that we have achieved regional integration in general if the country in the heart of the region such as the Republic of Kosovo is out of this process. Full regional integration gives us great opportunity: joint capabilities will be made separate commitments: jonit defence will be a common option for the future. The objective of Kosovo's integration into NATO means to strengthen democratic oversight of the Security Force, which must be flexible and compatible with the needs and values of North Atlantic Alliance. Giving thanks to cooperation with NATO, KSF has developed considerable capacity for demining (EOD), search and rescue (SAR), etc.. 4
No country in the region can not afford a large army, with significant technological capacities in all sectors. There is no need (or sense) to have the doubled capacities between themselves (eg. Five or six parallel programs of the transport heavy with helicopters, lack of coordination to the air traffic control, lack of the cooperation on terrorism risk assessment, etc.) Maximizing of each other capacities in both directions: 1. Civil Emergencies; 2. Cooperation in the procurement and maintenance of the equipments Cooperation in stand up of the capacities through the development of the Excellence Centres (training center) at the regional level, in the respective areas, which already exist in our countries Cooperation in procurement, developing joint procurement projects, for the equipments which can be expensive to purchase and maintenance, for each country separately. 5