Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a pleasure to be at a meeting of the South East European Co-operation Process again. This meeting in Tirana has discussed serious events which affect the region. It is important for the international community to hear this region speak with one voice on these questions. I detect in this room the will and the spirit to do just that.

In 1999 the international community agreed the Stability Pact. We are now entering a new phase. The ideas and priniciples of the Pact need to be applied in a way which builds on the success of the first two years. But which also learns some lessons from problems we have had. "We" means all of us. The Pact is only as strong as its participants. Pact or no Pact, we can only achieve our joint objectives in the region if we all deliver.

Better delivery : this is the first of four points I want to focus on. On Monday I gave all the members of the EU General Affairs Council my report on the Quick Start Package. It is also going to all Stability Pact heads of state and government. And I have given each of you a copy today.

My letter to all of you makes clear that the Quick Start Package has delivered. Its ambition was that projects worth 2.4 billion euros should start within one year. In 201 out of 244 cases we have been successful. Over 80 per cent. We can be proud of that. And we can be proud of the transparency: I think the detailed report you have on your desks may be a first! Transparency is an important political tool in making things go faster.

Compared to the usual speed of delivery in major international projects the outcome is excellent. But in 20 per cent of cases we needed to do better. Chris Patten and Javier Solana have been real friends in the effort to improve delivery on the donor side. They know and I know that we still have a long way to go.

But south eastern Europe also has to do its homework. Where there are delays it is often because governments in the region have failed to do their part of the job. Some have even tried to play politics with the Pact, bringing it into their election campaigns. That is not a way to solve problems. Voters will judge politicians on what they deliver, not complaints about others.

Let us celebrate the success of the Quick Start Package. But let us also focus on even faster, more effective delivery for the future. As a first step, I have made it my business to ensure that there will be a second Regional Conference on assistance and reforms. The planned dates are 25 and 26 October. The place will be Bucharest. Once again, I thank Chris Patten for his help on this. As a second step, let us all look at how we can improve our systems and procedures: in the EU, the G8, and the region. Better delivery and execution please: not delays and excuses.

The second of my four points concerns setting priorities. The context is Euro-Atlantic integration.

We have a comprehensive agenda. Why? Because, for Euro-Atlantic integration, all countries involved have to meet the same high standards in the areas of democracy, economics and security. You cannot pick and choose. The Pact reflects this fact. We have pushed hard in all areas, in all countries, all the time.

After two years, we have established the principle, and made some progress. Now we need a structured, focused approach for each country of south eastern Europe, targeting the actions most needed at each stage for progress toward Euro-Atlantic integration. Step by step, and over time, each south eastern European country will achieve the complete range of requirements. And we will achieve our common objective of a united Europe.

For many countries, first priorities will include the fight against crime and corruption; building strong legal and other institutions; ensuring that independent and high quality news media can develop; private sector economic development; and refugee return. Also, co-operation with neighbours, which I will come to in a moment. The EU's Stabilisation and Association Process should be central to this work. Indeed, for some countries represented here the EU enlargement process has already been playing such a role. And best practice should be used from the enlargement process' experience of solving similar challenges over the last years in central and eastern European candidate countries.

My third focus is the need for a major effort to attract private investment. Real and sustainable economic changes will only come when business backs the Balkans.

 My fourth point is that we must build on the progress we have already made in regional co-operation. Euro-Atlantic integration demands that neighbours co-operate with each other. Our discussions here today, our efforts on trade liberalisation and our work on refugee return between Yugoslavia, Croatia and Bosnia - Herzegovina are excellent examples of how co-operation can work well.

Finally the need has been suggested by some for a high level conference on political and status questions in the region. Let me simply say that such a process, if it is necessary, should not duplicate existing activities such as the Stabilisation and Association Process, or the conclusions of the Zagreb Summit. Also, the Stability Pact brings together the EU, G8, and south eastern Europe, and it has full OSCE backing. This large - transatlantic - roof would be needed if such discussions were to take place.

Ladies and gentlemen

Your meeting today is a real demonstration of the political will and determination this region can bring to tackling its most urgent challenges. I look forward to continuing our excellent co-operation.