- check against delivery-

While the violent clashes in Kosovo in March were deplorable, they were mercifully short lived and the containment of the clashes was a regional success.  It may be tempting to rip up everything done in Kosovo and start from scratch.  But we should not give up the preposition of a multi-ethnic, safe and prosperous Kosovo, and in the Europe of today violence cannot be a short cut to progress.   Even though the image of the region received a blow, we must stand together to repair the damage.  All should understand that public concerns might justify demonstrations, and demonstrations are a part of a functioning democracy.  But violence against property and individuals is a crime and needs to be prosecuted. 

Multiple, open and fair elections have shown that the process of democratisation is irreversible. Considering the wars that were fought in the 90’s, we’re only to a limited degree dealing with military structures in security matters, but more often with Justice and Home Affairs. This is a sign of progress as well. However overall, the region needs to attract more investments and create more jobs.  The population needs jobs; young people need to believe in the future to build dreams, dreams that form the fabric of a society that is cohesive and stable.

Fostering regional cooperation, at the core of the mandate of the Stability Pact, is a precondition for closer European integration.  There has been great progress in this area; both on a political level as well as in fields such as infrastructure, energy, migration and security policy. The Stability Pact has helped the region to make serious progress toward knitting itself into a single market of 55 million people with no less than 26 Free Trade Agreements signed.  Closely related, and a crucial precondition for any viable economic development, is the need to strengthen democratic institutions and improve the rule of law, in particular the fight against organised crime and corruption.

The Stability Pact is working closely with the SEECP to ensure that this common voice of the region is also being heard outside.  I am very pleased about the close and fruitful cooperation we have had with the BiH chairmanship of the SEECP.  I would particularly like to underline the importance for your support for

·        The implementation of the commitments of the first Regional Forum

·        Securing the implementation of the network of Free Trade Agreements

·        Contributing to the SPOC-Joint Campaign to fight organised crime and corruption with substantial actions

There are more and more regional ownership for Stability Pact-launched activities such as combating organized crime (SPOC), fighting corruption (SPAI), regional arms control (RACVIAC) or for the newly established Regional Forum of MARRI - to name some crucial examples. For me, this is a sign of an increased desire by the countries in region to have their own stake in the regional dimension of the reform process.

I call on all participants here today to remain focused on fuelling regional ownership - SEECP has an important mission in this respect!

Please let me conclude by congratulating Croatia for becoming a full member of the SEECP - a member that I am convinced can contribute greatly to the work of the organisation. This is a very encouraging signal at the end of the BiH chairmanship and we at the Pact look very much forward to seeing further progress under the lead of the incoming Romanian chair.