Documents

Report of the Third Regional Table Meeting

The Regional Table held its third meeting in Brussels under the Chairmanship of the Special Co-ordinator Bodo Hombach. State Secretary Gun-Britt Andersson gave an opening address on behalf of the Swedish EU Presidency, stressing that all international organisations should be encouraged to help the countries of the region achieve their top priority of integrating into European structures. The EU and its Member States would continue to give strong support to the Stability Pact. Subsequently, the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament, Elmar Brok, addressed the Table on behalf of the President of the European Parliament. He welcomed the Stability Pact´s commitment to reinforce parliamentary co-operation with a view to integrate this dimension in the activities of all three Working Tables. Referring to the Regional Conference he stressed that a clear financial signal should be given in order to support reconciliation and co-operation.

1. Participation/facilitation in the Stability Pact

   The Table confirmed the acceptance of Moldova as participant, and the Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) as facilitator, in the Stability Pact. The President of the Republic of Moldova, Vladimir Voronin, addressed the Table. He thanked the Special Co-ordinator and all partners in the Pact for their support and reaffirmed his country’s full respect of the principles and norms on which the Pact's founding document is based. Moldova would fully engage in the work of all three Working Tables, in particular with regard to media, education and inter-ethnic dialogue at WT I, to trade, infrastructure, and investment as regards WT II, and organised crime and corruption, DPPI, and mine action at WT III.

   After that, Council of Europe Development Bank (CEB) Vice-Governor Nunzio Guglielmo addressed the Table. He expressed his thanks to all partners and assured the Table of the CEB’s firm determination to participate fully in the joint efforts of the Stability Pact. The Table warmly welcomed the accession of the Republic of Moldova and the CEB to the Stability Pact.

   The Table noted that a number of other States that are observers in the Stability Pact have expressed their desire for an enhanced status within the Pact. The Special Co-ordinator announced to consult on these issues in the coming months.

2. Chairmanship of Working Tables

   Bodo Hombach expressed his thanks to Panagiotis Roumeliotis for his work as Chairman of WT I, and invited the Table to confirm consensus reached regarding the nomination of Alexander Rondos as his proposed successor. Delegations endorsed his appointment, expressing full confidence and support to his future work.

   The Special Co-ordinator expressed his warmest appreciation for Thierry Le Roy for his outstanding contribution to the Pact as Chairman of the sub-table on Justice and Home Affairs. Subsequently, the Regional Table approved the appointment of the EU candidate, Per Sjoegren, as his successor.

3. Reports from the meetings of 27 June 2001 (trade, refugee matters, SEE Regional Meeting)

   The Table heard a report from the Chairman of Working Table II, Fabrizio Saccomanni, on the Memorandum of Understanding on Trade Liberalisation and Facilitation, and a statement of intent by Moldova, signed at the Ministerial Meeting on 27 June. He underlined the importance of this document with regard to creating open trade regimes and thus a framework for regional trade co-operation. The agreed actions supported the EU integration of the countries involved. The Table expressed its highest appreciation for the progress achieved, underlining that this initiative was exemplary for Stability Pact work.

   Concerning refugee issues, the Chairman of the Steering Group of the Regional Return Initiative Hans Koschnick reported on progress achieved in the framework of the “Agenda for Regional Action” launched the preceding day by Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and the FRY, together with international organisations and other partners. Close co-operation between governments in the region, donors and the civil society had finally created the opportunity to take effective action with regard to removing remaining obstacles for return or integration of refugees and displaced persons. Delegations commended the Chairman and all participants in this initiative for this hallmark document that represented a clear example of how the Stability Pact could add value by stimulating regional co-operation.

   Subsequently, Stability Pact Regional Envoy Mihai-Razvan Ungureanu presented the conclusions of the pre-meeting of countries in the region and neighbouring countries. Particular emphasis was given to enhanced regional co-operation, a comprehensive and long-term framework approach to conflict prevention, enhanced efforts from all sides with regard to project implementation, and the upcoming Regional Conference.

4. Special Co-ordinator’s proposal on strategic priorities of the Stability Pact

   The Special Co-ordinator circulated the document “Strategic framework and key priorities” of the Stability Pact. The three Chairmen of the Working Tables reported on the conclusions of the last Table meetings, elaborating on key priorities and future focus of work.

   Participants unanimously welcomed efforts to streamline Stability Pact activities in light of decisions taken at the Working Tables and providing a road map for future work. The document represented a valuable basis for taking forward and rationalising Stability Pact activities in the coming months. The important role played by the Southeast European Cooperation Process serving as a voice for the region was particularly appreciated. The EU Presidency expressed its satisfaction that the document largely reflected the EU’s own priorities that the Council adopted on 11 June. Following ensuing discussion, the document and the priorities set were formally adopted.

5. Stability Pact options for enhanced conflict prevention in the light of recent destabilising developments in SEE

   The Special Co-ordinator circulated a food for thought non-paper on a sub-regional dialogue as a tool for enhanced conflict prevention. The non-paper served as a basis for discussion of this agenda item.

   During the discussion delegations emphasised the essence of the Stability Pact as conflict prevention instrument. The Table condemned the setback to spreading regional stability that FYR Macedonia had suffered. Continued commitment to facilitating a solution to the crisis in FYR of Macedonia was particularly stressed.

   The Table echoed the need for the international community to go as far as possible to stimulate dialogue and ensure co-operation in the region. In particular, it underscored the essential role of such processes to tackle security problems. The Table underlined that initiatives in this respect should come from the region, concentrate on practical questions which cannot be solved on a bilateral basis and avoid overlap with work carried out in other organisations in this field. They would have to take account of political conditions and be part of a coherent overall strategy of the international community. The Table noted the interest of participants in the Special Co-ordinator’s proposal, as expressed in the report on the informal southeastern regional meeting that was circulated at the Table.

6. Regional Conference in Bucharest

   The Special Co-ordinator introduced the concept of the Regional Conference, to be held on 25-26 October 2001, to the Table. Subsequently, the European Commission and the World Bank as co-organisers of this event further elaborated on the concept. The Joint Office circulated a paper on the issue at the Table.

   On recommendation of the SEECP, the Conference would be held in Bucharest. At the Regional Conference, countries of the region would outline progress achieved with regard to internal reforms and regional co-operation. On the other hand, donors would be asked to support these processes both politically and financially. The Regional Conference would focus on putting into place a sustainable, forward-looking approach to the identification and financing of priority initiatives and projects supportive of Stability Pact objectives. Agreed strategies for the priority areas for future work would be endorsed as a basis for channelling donor funding for regional activities in the most efficient way.

   The conference would rest on four pillars: profiling the extent and character of international assistance for Southeast Europe; creation of an improved environment for private investment and business development in the region; presentation and adoption of regional programs for economic development, and support to Stability Pact regional strategies fostering regional co-operation and reforms.

   The Table welcomed EBRD´s particular role in showcasing the private sector’s involvement in the region. Improvement of the investment climate, promotion of risk sharing, establishment of trust funds, and finally learning from experiences from other, more advanced regions in transition should guide international efforts. The Table also welcomed the intention of the EIB to finalise a study on infrastructure as a precondition for private sector development.

7. Any other business

   There were no items of any other business.