Documents

Report on the Informal Southeastern Regional Meeting

Representatives of South East European countries met, in the presence of representatives from the EU Presidency, Council, Commission, OSCE, OHR, UNMIK and neighboring countries. The meeting, chaired by Stability Pact Regional Envoy Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu, reviewed the progress made in attaining Stability Pact objectives thus far and key priorities and strategies in the way ahead, focusing in particular on means by which the Countries of the Region could make a stronger contribution to its activities.

The main elements that emerged from the discussions are:

2. A premium continues to be placed on the essential importance of enhanced regional cooperation leading to tangible results, and to work together on the path towards integration into the European and Euroatlantic structures. The countries of the region value highly the partnership established between the Stability Pact and the Southeast European Cooperation Process and believe each can continue to mutually reinforce the objectives and the work of the other. The Stability Pact had played and should continue to play an important role in infusing the regional dialogue process with substantive contributions as exemplified by the MOU on Regional Trade Liberalization and the Agenda for Regional Return. A future priority could be progress toward facilitating travel within the region.

3. The Region will look to the Stability Pact’s goals and activities for key components of a comprehensive and long-term framework approach to conflict prevention. Of particular relevance will be the Stability Pact’s efforts to promote inter-ethnic relations, improve the role of civil society, facilitate economic development especially through private investment and strengthen the security environment. In this respect, participants expressed interest in the Special Coordinator’s ideas on sub-regional dialogue. They should be further elaborated and developed by the time of the October Regional Conference in Bucharest from within the region, notably by the SEECP, with facilitation, where requested, by EU, OSCE and the Contact Group.

4. Countries in the region highly appreciate the emphasis of the Special Coordinator on streamlining the work of the Stability Pact as outlined in his document entitled the Strategic Framework and Key Priorities. Regional nations endorsed the document and the priorities it set. They believe this will make a positive contribution to the next stage of the region’s development, while continuing to emphasize the importance of sustained regional involvement and leadership;

5. Reinforced effort is needed from all sides on implementing existing donor-financed projects. Regional countries welcome the May 2001 report of the Special Coordinator on the implementation of the Quick Start Package of projects. They urged continued attention to enhanced donor consultation and experience sharing. They also acknowledged the need for their own intensified efforts aimed at increased absorption capacity and full project implementation;

6. Countries of the Region endorse plans to hold a Regional Conference in Bucharest at the end of October. They welcomed ideas presented by the Special Coordinator on procedures to associate proposed donor-funded development projects with the work of the Stability Pact. They endorsed the need for an early and sustained exchange of ideas between the region and the donor community on project formulation and consideration;

7. The region also pledges greater support to collaborative efforts to highlight the critical role of private investment in economic development and prosperity. Specific steps to be taken in bolstering the business and investment climate include reinforced efforts to fight organized crime and corruption, an improved regional trade environment and institution building;

8. Southeast Europe nations underscore their continued interest in and commitment to membership in European and Euro-Atlantic institutions and structures. They commended the positive influence throughout the region of the EU’s Accession and Stabilisation and Association Processes and NATO’s Partnership for Peace.