Documents

Record of the Meeting

1. The EU Presidency made a welcoming address, highlighting the EU's position on the Stability Pact. The Presidency then passed the floor to the Special Coordinator Bodo Hombach who chaired the meeting. A number of delegations made general remarks and introductory addresses. The Special Coordinator requested delegations that had amendments to propose to the Workplan to hand them over to the secretariat in written form. The agenda of the meeting was subsequently adopted.

2. The Special Coordinator illustrated his proposal for chairpersons, co-chairpersons and venues of the Working Tables. The proposal was accepted. Turkey formally objected to the provision that the SEE Regional Table rotate between Brussels and Thessaloniki only. In Turkey's view, the Regional Table should also be enabled to meet in other Countries.

Max van der Stoel, Fabrizio Saccomanni and Jan Eliasson were nominated Chairpersons of the three Working Tables. The Regional Table welcomed the invitation of Switzerland, Italy and Norway to host the inaugural meetings of the Working Tables. Mr. Saccomanni and Mr. Eliasson briefly outlined their priorities in taking up the task. The host nations of the inaugural meetings of the Working Tables gave preliminary details on the organisational aspects of the respective meetings.

3. The Special Coordinator outlined his proposal for the Work Plan. A revised version, taking account of the observations provided by delegations was circulated and discussed. The proposal was approved with a number of amendments suggested during the ensuing discussion. A final version of the Workplan was distributed following the meeting.

During the discussion a number of delegations stressed the nature of rolling document of the Workplan, which would have to be flexible and adapt to changing priorities. Some delegations, in particular the World Bank, stressed the need for a continuing coordination among the three Working Tables, as many programs listed as elements of the Working Tables I and III are essential for economic development of the region. This refers in particular to all measures of human capital formation, institution building, strengthening of local government, legal reform, security, anti-corruption measures. Furthermore, projects defined to support economic development should not be restricted purely to infrastructure programs, trade cooperation and financial measures but should go beyond this to include relevant programs elaborated and submitted under the other Working Tables.

4. The Special Coordinator proposed that the Regional Table endorse three projects of particular relevance, which had been circulated to delegations prior to the meeting. The proponents of the initiatives (Hungary for the Mayors' Conference, the UK for the Media Charter and the UK and US or the Investment Charter) illustrated the objectives of the initiatives and the methodology to be followed. The relevant Working Tables would take up the initiatives and their follow up as appropriate. The Regional Table endorsed the initiatives and the approach to be followed.

5. The Regional Table had a brief discussion on the participation in the work of the Tables by States requesting an enhanced status in accordance with Article 16 of the Stability Pact. The Regional Table thought that time was not yet ripe for a formal decision. All those attending the Regional Table meeting would continue to take part in all Stability Pact activities. The Regional Table will revert to the issue of enhanced status at a future meeting.

6. There were no items of Any Other Business.