The Slovenian career diplomat Janez Premoze has been appointed by an extraordinary meeting of the Stability Pact Regional Table in Tirana, 4 December, to chair the Stability Pact Working Table III.  WT III is focussing on security issues.  Ambassador Premoze succeeds Ambassador Vladimir Drobnjak (Croatia) in this position.

The Special Co-ordinator Erhard Busek welcomes the new Chairperson and wishes him the best of success in the challenging domain of Working Table III.

Busek expressed his gratitude to Ambassador Vladimir Drobnjak for his outstanding leadership and contribution to the success of the Working Table since end of 2001 in all its activities.

The Special Co-ordinator also thanks the Slovenian and Croatian governments for their support, which is essential for effective chairmanship.

Working Table III on security has two subtables.  The one on justice and home affairs is headed by Director-General Per Sjoegren of the Swedish Foreign Ministry, whereas the other one on security and defence will be headed by Janez Premoze himself.  He also chairs the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative (DPPI).