Mr. Chairman! 

Under Tampere II, we are entering a discussion on how to improve and to implement actions in fields like equal access to courts, migration management, police and customs cooperation, money laundering and others. 

I wish to specifically refer to the external dimension, within which an enhanced cooperation on justice and home affairs is envisaged with third countries. As Special Coordinator for South Eastern Europe, I wish to take this opportunity and re-emphasise that the SEE region is of crucial interest when it comes to matters of justice and home affairs and Tampere II. We should also keep in mind that the next enlargement round might soon include Romania, Bulgaria and perhaps Croatia. There are some major obstacles delaying the further integration of the Western Balkans, let just me mention Kosovo and Bosnia-Herzegovina. 

Harmonization of laws, police and judicial cooperation and the other issues I mentioned are also on the Balkan agenda. Certainly, South Eastern Europe is currently not able to proceed on sophisticated matters like the European arrest warrant, computerization of joint databases, mutual recognition of court decisions or exchange programs between judges. A climate of trust and solidarity is a prerequisite for implementing Tampere. This climate is beginning to emerge in the region. Just as in the new member states, public polls say that crime, corruption and drugs are perceived as the biggest threats. I am pleased to report that the respective SEE ministers have just started to address Tampere-related aims. 

On May 18th, the JHA ministers of the South East European Cooperation process (SEECP) countries adopted a statement where they committed themselves to campaigning against organized crime and corruption. As a follow-up to the London conference and the Balkan Forum meetings, the ministers made clear that they have entered the “stage of implementation”.  

I am also recommending that the region implement the United Nations Convention Against Transnational Organized Crime. You will find an overview in front of you. Although it is far from being fully implemented, I note progress to speed up the implementation of this so-called Palermo TOC. This Convention, which is a crucial part of the acquis, also calls for regional judicial and police cooperation.  

I am glad to see that important actors such as Europol and the SECI Center have started to prepare for closer coordination and cooperation. I would also like to mention the regional network of public prosecutors, called South East European Public Prosecutors Advisory Group (SEEPAG). In September, we expect to read an assessment report drafted by independent experts on the compatibility of the SECI Center. Yes, it is true that current obstacles such as the management of exchanging sensitive data need to be overcome. But I guess this can be addressed through adequate programs and capacity building. We should not forget: The SECI Center represents regional ownership when it comes to fighting organized criminal gangs in the Balkans.    

In addition I want to mention other Stability Pact initiatives where work is being done to support the improvement of justice and home affairs and indirectly the Tampere aims: 

Dr. Helga Konrad, leader of the Stability Pact Task Force for Fighting Trafficking in Human Beings, was appointed to the position of OSCE Special Representative Against Trafficking. I see this as a clear recognition and appreciation for all the important work against this most disturbing form of organized crime in the Balkans. The issue of trafficking women for sexual exploitation, trafficking of children and forced labourers will certainly remain a challenge.  

Our other initiatives to fight organized crime are well placed to develop and support practical cooperation between international, European and regional partners. 

For instance, SPOC is initiating setting up a South East European Police Convention. The convention should provide the legal basis for further operational projects.  

Since March 2004 the SPAI regional secretariat has been operational and has undertaken its first steps in implementing the SPAI strategy for 2003 and beyond. The establishment of the office in Sarajevo fits in a process of conveying leadership of this initiative to the countries of the region.  

The Police Forum initiative consists of three projects: Regional Police Training, modules for senior police officers, Organized Crime Training Network for operational managers (financed by Austria, Switzerland, Norway and the UK, dedicated to the organized crime units and planned to be launched this year) and the Stolen car project.  

The Ohrid process on border management and security has entered the implementation phase. Progress achieved has been reflected in the interim reports from the five governments involved in outlining practical measures taken to bring border management in line with European standards, but also identifying where further progress and support is needed. To be quite frank, progress has not been equally good in all cases and this deserves attention and perhaps some further assistance in the coming months. 

Lastly, some remarks on migration: The MARRI Regional Forum convened by the SEECP in Montenegro last April, has been a decisive step towards regional ownership for managing and stabilising population movements and finding sustainable solutions for the remaining displaced populations. This ministerial meeting decided to establish a political and professional Regional Forum for the five SAp countries to be composed of Ministers and Senior Officials responsible for migration, asylum, border management, visa and sustainable solutions for displacement. It aims at exchanging information, experiences, lessons learned, best practices as well as to discuss and resolve issues of common interest and concern and develop a common vision for the region.  

In summary, I would like to call upon you to actively support our neighbours in South East Europe. Please, share your transformation experience with them. Please contribute to the external Tampere II dimension with your expertise, e.g. through seconding trainers and experts to the regional mechanisms. This will ensure that the Balkans get a chance to catch up with Tampere standards. A final concrete idea could be to invite ministers from South East Europe to the next Salzburg Forum meeting. I could imagine that Slovenia and Hungary would have an interest to include their neighbours into the discussions of the Salzburg Forum.