The Economic Reconstruction and Development Working Table will hold its plenary meeting in Sofia on 20-21 June. Prior to the Working Table, there will be a Ministerial Meeting on Trade. Ministers will review progress on the conclusion of 21 Free Trade Agreements amongst the SEE countries by end 2002 and they are expected to endorse a Statement on Priorities for 2003. The Working Table II meeting itself will focus on Trade Liberalisation, Investment, Private Sector Development, Energy and the Sava River Basin Initiative. It will also highlight progress in Social Cohesion in Southeastern Europe.

Media and Photo opportunities:

­ The opening sequence of the Ministerial Meeting, starting on 20 June at 11.00h until approx. 11.15h, and again the closing statement by Special Co-ordinator Busek at approx. 12.55h will be open to media — Moussala Room.

­ The Trade Ministerial will be concluded by a Press Conference at 13.00h on 20 June in the Vihren Room with Mr. Nikolay Vassilev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy of Bulgaria; Mr. Besnik Fetai, Minister of Economy of F.Y.R.O.Macedonia; and Dr. Erhard Busek, Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe.

­ The opening sequence of the Working Table Meeting, starting on 20 June at 14.00h until approx. 14.45h, including opening statements of Co-chairs Sophia Kassidova and Fabrizio Saccomanni, and of Special Co-ordinator Erhard Busek is open to media — Moussala Room.

­ The results of the Working Table will be presented to media at a joint press briefing of the Working Table Co-chairs (Kassidova and Saccomanni) on 21 June at 13h — Vihren Room.

All events take place at the Sofia Hilton, Mezzanine level.