Page 66 - Supplemento 2-2016 (ENG)

dr. Jamie shea

In the wake of Afghanistan, in NATO we have developed an incredible
network of 24 partners, non-member countries with which we have signed
SOFAs (“Status of Forces Agreement”). This allowed to work and operate well
together.

Now, with our focus back on collective defence in Eastern Europe in the
wake of what Mr Putin is doing, we might be tempted to give it all up. That
would be a big mistake because, as we now have to operate in climate change
scenarios with our partners, having SOFAs in place can indeed speed things up.

For example, when we deployed the NATO Response Force in Pakistan
in 2006, the team was stuck in Karachi for a month before they could be deplo-
yed and deal with the earthquake because of disputes over legal status and
customs duties. Evidently, we must make sure we keep this network of legal
service agreements in place.

The final issue is climate diplomacy in order to solve a number of emer-
ging disputes. Egypt, for instance, is currently negotiating with Ethiopia about
the Renaissance Dam project on the Nile. Countries of the Middle East are
negotiating with Turkey over the South-Eastern Anatolia project, whereby
Turkey is building a large number of dams to control the Tigris river. Israel is
negotiating over the Galilee with Jordan and others.

All such instances prove that disputes are going to be increasingly driven
by water issues. The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague, alone, is
currently handling 263 “river basin disputes”.

To prevent conflict, we are ultimately going to need good diplomats and
good international law to try negotiate compromises because, the less resources
we have around, the more people’s willingness to share them and use them
equitably is going to be important.

Thank you very much for your attention.

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