Press Releases

Updated: 09/12/2004

26 October 2001,  Bucharest (back to news list) Concluding Remarks of Special Co-ordinator Bodo Hombach at the Regional Conference in Bucharest, 26 October 2001   The Bucharest Conference clearly demonstrated that two years of hard work within the Stability Pact has set the region on solid track of reforms and regional co-operation. Today, this process was given additional momentum by a substantial commitment of support by the International Community to the SEE region, which goes far beyond financial assistance. Not only has South Eastern Europe remained on the agenda, but we have clearly seen that it has remained a high-ranking priority. The region has made considerable progress, with regard to democratic consolidation, economic growth and security. Regional co-operation, in 1999, was an exception from the rule. It has now become a common practice of which this Conference was living proof, along with the Stability Pact initiatives of trade liberalisation, regional infrastructure, refugee return, fighting crime and corruption, or today’s joint declaration against terrorism. Participants concluded that joint efforts must continue to be based on the perspective that all South Eastern European countries are potential candidates for membership of the EU. Thus the Stability Pact and the Stabilisation and Association Process are complementary processes to support the countries and the region as a whole on their way to Europe. All Ministers of South Eastern European countries have confirmed their commitment to regional co-operation, as an indispensable component of the European integration process. The success of this Conference was made evident by the clear political message of a continued commitment by the international community towards the region. Conference participants agreed on an impressive package of regional infrastructure projects amounting to 2.4 bn Euro. These projects aim at improving the infrastructure network, notably in the areas of transport, energy and water. Another important element was the support for private sector development amounting to 60 mn Euro in the fields of trade financing, SME support and banking. In addition, Bosnia, Croatia, and the FRY have committed 550 mn Euro for refugee issues, assisted by the donor community with another 500 mn Euro. These commitments alone amount to approximately 3 bn Euro and by far exceed the results of last year’s Funding Conference. These amounts dedicated to defined Stability Pact activities, are part of the firmly committed global support by both bilateral donors and International Financial Institutions, to the region amounting to 6,6 bn Euro in 2001, as Commissioner Patten has pointed out. These figures give clear evidence of the international community’s determination to support the region. And they clearly indicate that support is also forthcoming in times when new priorities challenge world politics. While there has been a significant revival of investment in the region, this has been mostly linked to privatisation. There is a need to create the conditions for the resumption of a steady self-sustaining flow of private investment. Against this background, participants have signalled strong support with regard to the implementation of the Investment Compact, the Stability Pact agenda for creating a favourable environment for investments. Similarly, participants confirmed their strong intention to implement the commitments they have taken in order to build a regional free trade zone by the end of 2002. With regard to Working Table I, much progress has been achieved in the field of refugee matters, thus very directly contributing to enhancing stability in the region. Work is also well underway in the field of media, were a strategy has been formulated and national working groups have been established in all countries concerned. A strategy has also been formulated in the area of education and youth. Preparations are now being made to enlist additional donor support in the months to come. Conference participants underlined that two of the major challenges ahead for Working Table I, are inter-ethnic dialogue and cross border co-operation. These are overarching issues requiring the involvement of all layers of civil society. Security Sector Reform, the united approach taken by Working Table III in the security and defence as well as justice and home affairs issues, was further elaborated, and the key priority areas of the Working Table were ratified. A detailed discussion of the Table’s initiatives and projects is envisaged for the Working Table III meeting scheduled for Budapest, 27-28 November 2001. To conclude: This Conference was a proof of the viability of the Stability Pact’s basic design. The Governments of all Countries of the region reaffirmed their commitment to political and economic reforms, and they expressed their readiness to do so with a regional approach.