As part of the Stability Pact Investment Compact, an initiative which is jointly directed by the OECD and the Austrian Ministry of Economics, Southeast European Economics and Trade Ministers will sign a Declaration on Common Principles and Best Practices on Attracting Investment to SEE.

The ministerial meeting is hosted by Austrian Minister of Economy Martin Bartenstein. The Stability Pact Special Co-ordinator Erhard Busek, OECD Deputy Secretary-General Richard E. Hecklinger, and 8 Ministers of SEE Governments will attend.

Media are invited to the following events / picture opportunities
at the Bundesministerium fuer Wirtschaft und Arbeit,
Stubenring 1, 1011 Vienna, 18 July 2002.

In Room "Saal II" (1st floor)

Approx. 9.20 - 9.30: Arrival of delegations, handshake (photo opportunities)

Opening statements of Minister Bartenstein, Special Co-ordinator Busek and OECD Deputy Secretary-General Hecklinger are open to media

10.00: Statements of SEE ministers can be covered by journalists from countries of the region, who want to cover their respective minister, if approved by the respective delegations. Journalists should announce themselves to the Austrian Ministry of Economy press service for this.

In Room "Marmorsaal" (1st floor)

12.00: Media events / photo opportunities

1) Signing ceremony of Ministerial Declaration on Common Principles and Best Practices on Attracting Investment to SEE

2) Family photo

3) Press Conference by Ministers, Stability Pact Special Co-ordinator and OECD Deputy Secretary-General

In Room "Saal II" (1st floor)

13.00: Buffet lunch, to which journalists are kindly invited. In the margins, possibility to do one-on-one interviews with the press conference participants.

Please note that the language at meeting and press events is English only.