During the annual meeting of Prime Ministers of South East Europe (SEE), in Salzburg, on 27-28 July, Special Co-ordinator Erhard Busek urged the region’s leaders to implement all previous pledges with regard to trade liberalisation and the common energy market.

“Cooperation in these two key fields will be a strong driving force and a useful preparation for a comprehensive economic and political integration with the European Union,” SC Busek said.

Hosted by the Austrian Chancellor Wolfgang Schüssel, and SC Busek, the meeting was attended by PM Fatos Nano of Albania, PM Simeon Sakskoburggotski of Bulgaria, PM Hari Kostov of fYR Macedonia, PM Adrian Nastase of Romania, and PM Milo Djukanovic of Montenegro from Serbia and Montenegro.

SC Busek commended the leaders for their efforts in strengthening ties with the European Union, and noted that the region has recently developed ownership of several initiatives formerly administered by the Stability Pact.

However, he pointed out that many key issues remain to be tackled, among them the implementation of a network of free trade agreements, and the creation of the Energy Community South East Europe (ECSEE) by 2007.

“These issues need both urgent attention, and serious political commitment,” he said.