A high-level Regional Table of the Stability Pact in Portoroz (Slovenia) concluded that the mood in Southeast Europe has changed over the last five years.  This includes an irreversible process of democratization and a clear advancement towards European structures and in most cases EU and NATO membership.  For much of the increased regional co-operation and for the raised political and public awareness that only cross-border co-operation can tackle such issues as organized crime or migration, the Stability Pact was strongly credited.  Despite some setbacks over the five years, Special Co-ordinator Busek wrapped up by stating: “An element of European normality has reached Southeast Europe.  Governments today phone each other in very much the same way as we know from Lisbon, Helsinki, London, Paris etc.”  As examples Busek mentioned the Ohrid border management process or the established of a free trade area amongst 8 countries.  SEE by now also has an established pattern for regional infrastructure development and is realizing a regional energy market.  Under Working Table I, refugee return in record numbers took place 2000 – 2003.

In assessing what has worked and what has not, Special Co-ordinator Busek pointed out that peer-review and peer-pressure had a significant impact, as seeing one’s neighbour move ahead faster is a strong incentive.  Matchmaking is another area the Pact was successful, bringing together donors, beneficiary countries, available funds and projects.  The Pact has functioned as a honest broker and neutral forum for the different organizations and countries involved, bringing institutions, which do not usually work together, to engage in joint projects to the benefit of South Eastern Europe.  International organizations and international financial institutions are increasingly using this regional approach for parts of their programming.  On the other hand, the goal of comprehensive donor co-ordination, which some participants originally expected, could not be achieved – and in the end is probably not achievable.

Apart from the special agenda item “5 Years of Stability Pact”, the achievements of the last six months included the creation of a migration, asylum and refugee return forum for Southeastern Europe including the establishment of a regional centre for MARRI-issues in Skopje.  This brings the amount of Stability Pact initiatives, which are mainly supported and co-ordinated from within the region to six (SPAI, SPOC, RACVIAC, SEESAC, SAVA COMMISSION, MARRI), clearly indicative of the increasing level of regional ownership within the pact.  As for the Stability Pact's major regional partner, the holding of a first defence ministers meeting ever in the framework of SEECP was a symbolic achievement.  SEECP was also supportive in fostering a regional campaign to implement measures to fight organized crime.  The Stability Pact was also joined by five new members - Cyprus, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Malta[1] - as well as by the International Organization for Migration (IOM).

The Special Co-ordinator thanked Elisabeth Rehn for her most valuable contribution as chair of Working Table I.  Elisabeth Rehn will remain in office until a successor has been found.  The sub-table chair on justice and home affairs, Per Sjoegren, has equally resigned from his function.  The chair of Working Table III, Janez Premoze, will succeed him with responsibility for both, defence issues and justice and home affairs.  Helga Konrad, for many years the Chair of the Stability Pact Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings has been appointed OSCE Special Representative on Trafficking in Human Beings, which is an OSCE-wide recognition of an issue prominently dealt with in the Stability Pact.  Busek thanked those personalities for their dedicated work and their seconding governments for their support.

Attached:      Speech of the Special Co-ordinator on 5 Years of Stability Pact

The conclusions of the Regional Table of the Stability Pact in Portoroz can be found on our website ( www.stabilitypact.org) as of approx. 17.00, 8 June 2004.