Sofia, February 27, 2008 - With a symbolic handshake, the Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe (SP) Erhard Busek handed over the responsibility for regional cooperation in South Eastern Europe to the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) and its Secretary General Hido Biscevic. Accompanied by applause of the representatives of the countries from the South East European Co-operation Process (SEECP) and of the international community, the final Regional Table meeting of the Stability Pact in Sofia transformed into the first meeting of the Regional Cooperation Council.
The participants noted that the Stability Pact through its activities since 1999 had significantly contributed to the stabilisation of South Eastern Europe. The overall socio-economic situation as well as security in the region has improved and the Euro-Atlantic integration of South Eastern European countries is well on track. From March on, the Regional Co-operation Council will play a key role in consolidating achievements of the Stability Pact to date and in making further progress in the different areas of co-operation. It will also continue to provide a platform for supporting further Euro-Atlantic integration of South Eastern Europe.
“The future of regional co-operation in South Eastern Europe starts here, today. Flexibility, adaptability, perseverance and tenacity have been prominent features of the Stability Pact’s approach and success. I therefore encourage you to persevere and be tenacious in your efforts to continue on the path of co-operation and integration”, Erhard Busek said. Hido Biscevic thanked Erhard Busek for the enormous contribution of the Stability Pact for transforming the region and changing the mindsets of its peoples. “The legacy of the Stability Pact will be our regional acquis which we will continue to expand and develop with both strategic plans and concrete results”, he stated.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Slovenia Dimitrij Rupel, on behalf of the European Union, praised the Stability Pact and its Special Co-ordinator for its precious contribution to stabilising the region and helping the countries prepare for EU accession. “With the transformation of the Stability Pact into the RCC, we add a final touch to the new architecture for regional co-operation in South Eastern Europe. The European Union will support you by providing assistance and advice and recalls that the future of the Western Balkans lies within the EU”, he stressed.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of Bulgaria Ivaylo Kalfin stated that it was an honour for his country to host the hand-over meeting between the SP and RCC. Bulgaria is currently Chairman-in-Office of the SEECP, the main framework for political consultations in the region, under the umbrella of which the RCC will function. He expressed his warm thanks to the Stability Pact and to Erhard Busek for their outstanding contribution to the region and to his country. “It is high time for us to realise that the success of our neighbour is our success too”, Mr Kalfin said.
Key Documents
For further information, please contact Stability Pact's Spokesperson
Mr Georgi Gotev at the SP Secretariat in Brussels
(Tel: +32 2 401 87 25 or press@stabilitypact.org).
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PR2008/007
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