Ministers, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, dear SP WT 1 colleges

We have gathered here today to evaluate and to agree how to move ahead with the implementation of the decisions taken by the Regional Table in Belgrade on a phased evolution of the Stability Pact and therefore Working Table 1 TF, into a more regionally owned, streamlined and effective regional co-operation framework and initiatives in South Eastern Europe.

The SEE is facing a situation where a lot has been achieved in democratization and promotion of human rights, but a lot more has to been done in order to bring the SEE countries closer to the Euro-Atlantic standards in these domains. Democratization and protection of human rights remains of fundamental importance for enhancing chance for creation of Europe’s South Eastern dimension, particularly as democratic legitimacy remains essential for the EU accession process. Blurred EU and NATO prospective that are already looming over the region for a while should serve as a catalyst of a firm commitment of the leaders and people of the region, instead of   an excuse for slowdown of reform and integration processes, to move on along the agreed lines. Region’s EU and Atlantic perspectives are, no matter how complicated at the short run, still very good. Encouraging news is that according to the EC Communication, issued on 8 November; the fifth Enlargement has been a considerable success. According to the same document, all the Western Balkan countries have made progress towards realizing their European perspective.  The main overall remaining challenges for all WB counties are continuation of political, judicial and economic reform, as well as the fight against corruption and organized crime and upgrade of administrative capacities.

As a representative of the SP, which main role is to support SEE countries EU and NATO integrations, I congratulate Romania and Bulgaria on the 1 January 2007. Accession to the European Union. They are setting an optimistic example for all other region’s candidates and would be candidates countries. Romania and Bulgaria have demonstrated maturity and real commitment to EU values by expressing  commitments  to stay engaged in regional co-operation processes in South Eastern Europe and in particular the future Regional Co-operation Council.

I congratulate Albania its conclusion of the Stabilization and Association agreement with the EU.

Croatia that has been granted candidate status; has successfully completed screening process and has entered talks in certain areas.   The main challenge in 2007 will be tobuild on good neighbourly relations and regional cooperation.  Priority should be given to finding solutions to outstanding bilateral issues, especially on border demarcation. Minority rights and refugee return will need continued close attention.

The recent elections held in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia as well as the constitutional referendum in Serbia that took place  in accordance with international standards are also signs of progress in the region.

For the FYR of Macedonia the continued implementation of the Ohrid Agreement remains essential to foster a positive climate for reforms.

Apart from constitutional evolution that is essential to build a more functional, sustainable and democratic state, Bosnia and Herzegovina have to resume full co-operation with International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY), as a main precondition for completion of the negotiations for Stabilization and Association Agreement.

Following independence reached earlier this year, Montenegro has begun negotiations on a separate Stabilization and Association Agreement (SAA). A new constitution will most likely be adopted in a few months time. It is important for Montenegro to sustain the pace of reforms and continue co-operation with ICTY.

The new constitution adopted a few days ago, should pave Serbian’s way to reinforcing the country’s system of governance. Despite the scale of the challenges ahead, Serbia needs to take a constructive approach on Kosovo and to meet the condition of full co-operation with ICTY, in order to resume its SAA.

Regardless of the forthcoming status settlement and its implementation, minority rights in Kosovo and its further overall democratization remain vital issues.

Further NATO perspectives of the WB countries will be discussed during alliances meeting of Heads of State and Government that will be held in Riga on 28-29 November 2006. Montenegro will be admitted to NATO’s PfP. Full cooperation with ICTY remains a main condition for Serbia and BH entrance to PfP.

As a chairperson of the SP SEE WT I, I am very pleased with contribution of WT I Task Forces who efficiently participated in the process of developing a proposal on the streamlining of SP initiatives.   I thank them or putting up on time comprehensive progress reports that I highly recommend to everyone’s attention. WT I welcome Ms. Aspasija Hadzisce who was recently appointed as new ERI SEE director. 

Within the framework of our new core objective Fostering and Building Human Capital, launched at the last Regional Table in Belgrade 29-30 May I am proud to announce that we already fulfilled several activities envisaged for 2006: transfer of information meetings on the new generation of EU programmes in the field of research and education were held both in Brussels and in the region; our research team produced both a recommendation paper and a mapping document of regional Vocational Education and Training Centres (you will see the presentation later). Thanks to the support of the Austrian government we launched a capacity building project for the experts coming from the SEE Ministries of Education and Science and first three trainees from Macedonia and Serbia are already working in our Secretariat in Brussels and will complete their traineeship before Christmas. We urge other SP partner countries to offer additional support to this excellent initiative. Due to the fundamental importance of education and research for the democratization and economic development of the region, core objective Fostering and Building Human Capital should remain our fundamental area of involvement during and after the transformation of the SP SEE into a more regionally owned structure.

Before I pass a floor for a debate on TFs work and further planes, I would like to particularly congratulate LODE/CBC TF    for contributing to excellent organization of on the Second Ministerial Conference on the Effective Democratic Governance at Local and Regional Level, held on 8-9 November in Skopje. As an outcome of this conference, Ministers of the SEE region adopted a Final Declaration that gave a strong signal underlying the fundamental importance of the strengthening of local democracy and furthering of decentralization process in SEE. The Skopje Conference assured the efficient continuation of the process of reform of local self-government of the SEE region initiated in 2004 in Zagreb.  I would like to use this occasion to thank also all the regions governments’ representatives for decentralization and PA, NALAS and PASOS representatives that I met in the preparation phase of the Conference, as CoE travelling ambassador.

And finally, before a wider breakdown of 2006-2007 activities of the WTI TFs that follow, let me give you my tips on what will be ultimate in- in 2007. Countries of the WB should bear in mind that the EU enlargement policy is today based on three basic principles: consolidation of commitments, conditionality and communication. Consolidation of the EU enlargement agenda means that the Union is cautious about assuming any new commitments, but honours its existing commitments towards countries already in the enlargement process. This commitment should serve as a strong incentive for the countries to continue their reforms, no matter how rigorous conditionality is applied to all candidate and potential candidate countries. Every step forward depends and will depend on each country’s own progress in meeting the necessary conditions at each stage of the accession process. This approach helps to consolidate reforms and to prepare new Member States to fulfil their obligations upon accession. Decentralization will remain important for a more efficient participation of the WB countries in the new European financial assistance programmes for the region (Instrument for pre-Accession- IPA). I highly recommend these key words as must think of items in 2007, to all governments of the WB and the SEE.

Thank you for your attention.