This work plan spells out the areas to be covered and the types of initiatives to be carried forward by the Stability Pact's South-East European Regional Table and the three Working Tables, together with the procedures to be followed by the Tables. The general objectives of the Stability Pact are spelled out in paragraphs 9 to 11 of the Stability Pact Charter. The specific areas addressed within the Stability Pact to achieve these objectives are detailed in this workplan. The Working Tables will establish work plans with concrete initiatives to achieve these objectives.

The work plan should be viewed as a living document setting out broad strategic aims of the Working Tables. It provides an illustrative guide to the areas of work which the Working Tables will consider in their initial meetings but allows the Working Tables to respond to changing priorities and needs, both in the development of the individual Table work plans and subsequent activities. The elements of this work plan do not prejudge the decisions and priorities that participating and facilitating organizations (including the EU and the OSCE, the CoE, the UN, UNHCR, NATO, OECD, WEU, IMF, WB, EIB, EBRD) may make in respect to their contributions to achieving the objectives of the Pact.

The SEE Regional Table will keep this work plan under regular review. In principle, this work plan is valid until through the end of 2000, with a review within the end of 1999 if considered appropriate in light of the experience gained in the first month of the implementation of its political priorities through initiatives/projects undertaken by the Working Tables.

Initiatives and projects presented jointly by the countries in the region will have priority consideration by the Working Tables.

VENUES AND CHAIRS OF THE WORKING TABLES
(Considered in a separate document, which will be annexed to this workplan)

POLITICAL PRIORITIES OF THE STABILITY PACT

Political priorities of the Stability Pact, and general areas of action through which to achieve them, are spelled out in paragraph 10 of the Stability Pact and in the Sarajevo Summit Declaration. The overall strategic direction of the Stability Pact is to secure lasting peace, prosperity and stability for South Eastern Europe; foster effective regional co-operation; and give a firm European anchorage to the region, in which the EU will play a leading role. Countries in the region who seek integration into Euro-Atlantic structures, alongside a number of other participants in the Pact, strongly believe that the implementation of this process will facilitate their objective. Central to these aims are the development of the necessary institutional capability and legislative practices to meet standards in the areas of human rights, democracy and the rule of law as they are enshrined in the UN Charter, documents of the OSCE and the CoE, notably regarding the rights of individuals belonging to minorities, to create a supportive climate for investment, as well as to promote cooperation in the areas of defense and law enforcement. The specific initiatives and projects to be discussed under the Working Tables will be measured against these strategic objectives and central aims within each of the Working Tables and reviewed by the Regional Table. Taking into account these guidelines, the Working Tables will consider, among others, the areas contained in the relevant paragraphs of this work plan.

The Working Tables will establish an inventory of existing ongoing activities within the areas of their competence, in order to avoid duplication and build on, as appropriate, existing programs and expertise.

WORKING PROCEDURES

   SPECIAL CO-ORDINATOR

Mechanisms of the Stability Pact are sketched out in paragraphs 12 to 16 of the Stability Pact Charter. In particular, paragraph 13 states that the Special Co-ordinator "will be responsible for promoting achievement of the Pact's objectives within and between the individual countries, supported by appropriate structures tailored to need". The Special Co-ordinator's structure will be the appropriate channel to prepare and forward work to the SEE Regional Table and the Working Tables, and to ensure the appropriate follow-up to the decisions of the SEE Regional Table, the Working Tables [and any sub-tables]. To this end he will also provide periodic progress reports to the EU and the OSCE, which has placed the Stability Pact under its auspices.

To further the objectives of the Pact, the Special Co-ordinator will liaise on a regular basis with all Stability Pact participants, facilitators and observers, in particular EU institutions and States of the region, and with relevant international organisations and gatherings as appropriate, to assess the contribution they can make to the process. In this light, he can propose initiatives/projects, to be carried out according to the procedures detailed in the following paragraphs. He will notify all necessary details of the initiative/project to the Stability Pact participants, facilitators and observers. In carrying out his functions, the Special Co-ordinator will be in close personal contact with the relevant authorities of the countries in the region through frequent visits, for which he will avail himself of the Stability Pact offices in Thessaloniki, which the Greek government has offered to host and support.

To ensure the overall coherence of the activities carried forward by the Working Tables with the strategic objectives of the Pact, and to avoid duplication of activities, the Special Co-ordinator will meet jointly, on a bi-monthly basis (and more frequently if necessary), the Chairmen of the Working Tables [and sub-tables] for a joint evaluation of the process.

   SOUTH-EASTERN EUROPE REGIONAL TABLE

The role of the Regional Table is to ensure that the Working Tables focus on areas of work decisive from the point of view of stability in the region and engage on issues where the Stability Pact process can create added value in relation to other existing processes and initiatives. The Regional Table will facilitate an exchange of information between the Working Tables and support the identification of synergies between them. The Regional Table will also be responsible for establishing priorities between approaches and initiatives of the different Working Tables and for measuring the degree of priority of proposals from the Working Tables against the strategic objectives of the Stability Pact to ensure the most effective use of resources. The Regional Table will in particular ensure the parallel engagement of the Stability Pact participants, facilitators and observers towards assisting countries in the region, and that of the countries in the region to attain the objectives of the Stability Pact. The Regional Table will take due account of the approach, programming and priorities set by the Donors co-ordination Process led by the World Bank and the EU Commission.

The Regional Table should also consider the need for the countries in the region to establish specific ad-hoc structures to ensure adequate and proper preparation for and implementation of the agreed strategies, initiatives and policies.

   WORKING TABLES

The Working Tables will establish their work plans (Stability Pact Annex, paragraph D), to carry forward the political and strategic priorities in areas described in this document and spell out the specific activities in each field. These workplans will establish the priorities of the Working Tables within the areas of respective competence. They will also identify a limited number of priority initiatives/projects to be addressed by the Working Tables. Workplans of the Working Tables will also foresee timelines for carrying out the specific activities. The Working Tables will decide upon the necessity of establishing sub-tables, whose Chairs will be appointed by the Chairman of the Working Table after consultation with the Special Co-ordinator.

Initiatives and projects presented to the Working Tables must contain an assessment of costs of carrying out the initiative/project, the intended/proposed source of financing, and a summary analysis of short, medium and long term benefits deriving from the implementation of the initiative/project, against which progress will be assessed during the periodical reviews. In principle, initiatives/projects undertaken within the Stability Pact framework should allow for a public/private partnership in defining and carrying out the initiative/project.

The Working Tables will identify lead organisations/countries responsible for areas of activity covered by the Working Table. These lead organisations/countries will be asked to consider/evaluate initiatives/projects in the respective area of activity, and give their assessment to the relevant Working Table on the feasibility or possible implementation of the initiative/project. Agreed initiatives/projects shall be submitted for financial support, where appropriate, to the Donors Coordination Process led by the EU Commission and the World Bank.

In preparation of the meetings of the Working Tables [and the sub-tables] the Chairpersons of the Working Tables and sub-tables, in close co-operation with the Special Coordinator and his structure will prepare an agenda based on the relevant work plan and further submissions from Stability Pact participants, facilitators and observers. The Working Tables [and sub-tables] will seek to develop specific initiatives/projects and proposals in line with the objectives of the Stability Pact, to the extent possible building on existing initiatives and programs under way in other fora, in particular international organisations and regional initiatives, which will also be instrumental in their implementation. The SEE Regional Table will ensure cross-checking and consistency of the initiatives/projects carried out by the three Working Tables.

   REVIEW

The Stability Pact process, in particular progress made on the projects and initiatives adopted by the Working Tables, will be reviewed at each meeting of the SEE Regional Table, which will receive a consolidated report from the Special Co-ordinator and from the Chairmen of the three Working Tables. Working procedures will also be periodically reviewed and revised if appropriate.

The Special Co-ordinator will make use of these periodic progress reports and of those described in paragraph 13 of the Stability Pact to review initiatives undertaken within the framework of the Stability Pact, address shortfalls in the process and highlight best practices. These assessments will serve to direct the use of resources and to set a standard of efficiency for initiatives in the region. They will also serve to give impulse to the initiatives and projects to be undertaken in South-Eastern Europe.

WORKING TABLE ON DEMOCRATISATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS:

The main strategic aim of the Working Table on Democratisation and Human Rights is to anchor democracy and respect for human rights throughout the region, including by institutionalising OSCE commitments and principles in the countries in the region, also through membership of the Council of Europe, including accession to its Convention on Human Rights and implementation in practice of its political and human rights codes, where appropriate. Other necessary steps include the establishment of democratic political and electoral systems, as well as ensuring the transparency of public administrations, legal reform and the establishment of free media. The Working Table should consider activities particularly in the following areas:

a) Incentives and mechanisms for improving relations between the countries concerned and for improving regional co-operation, including the conclusion and implementation of multilateral and bilateral agreements on good neighbourly relations where these do not exist; regular review of progress made by the countries concerned towards implementation of commitments made under the Stability Pact;

b) Co-operation between the countries in the region towards preserving their multinational and multi-ethnic diversity and protecting minorities in accordance with relevant international mechanisms and conventions, as well as agreements and treaties. This will include effective anti-discrimination measures and legislation, and development of mechanisms for minority representation in political and legal structures, in particular for their effective participation in the decision making processes on issues directly affecting them, and full and equal access to education and training of law enforcement and other relevant officials to tackle abuse;

c) Training civil servants from the Stability Pact countries in the region. Stability Pact countries not in the region and international organisations will be invited to accept, for training purposes, civil servants from the countries in the region in appropriate administrations/directorates;

d) Development of local democratic government and encouragement of co-operation between local authorities of the region and of other Stability Pact countries;

e) Promotion of "best practices" in municipal governance, public works, and public administration with the broader aim of reforming the civil services, where appropriate;

f) Creation of a "legislative clearing house," in order to provide easier access to relevant international community expertise in legal reform within the countries of South Eastern Europe;

g) Exploring ways to assist democratisation in the region, including in particular in the FRY and Serbia, in order to achieve the goal of an early participation of the FRY to the Stability Pact;

h) Enhancement of relations between Parliaments of the Stability Pact countries involving, as appropriate, the European Parliament, Parliamentary Assembly of participating organisations and national Parliaments;

i) Development of regional NGO networks in specific areas of human rights, democratisation, civil society and institution-building;

j) Setting up and running national human and minority rights protection institutions. Exploring the possibility of creating an Office of the Ombudsman for each country in the region;

k) Creation of a regulatory framework and implementation of practical measures for the development of independent media, including the development of a Charter for the media of South Eastern Europe and a South-Eastern Europe Broadcast Union aiming to set a regulatory framework for public and independent media on a regional basis;

l) Encouragement of media partnerships between independent media in the region and media of other Stability Pact participants, facilitators and observers;

m) Encouraging a more active role for women in the political process of the region. Introducing and implementing programs to eliminate gender bias;

n) Enhancement of the cultural dimension of the Stability Pact process (preservation and restoration of cultural heritage), including education, vocational training, multicultural youth activities, inter-ethnic and inter-religious dialogue as essential elements for the development of civil society and mutual respect among ethnic groups, and preservation and restoration of cultural monuments; encouraging trans-frontier contacts between territorial communities or authorities in the cultural field as a confidence building instrument.

Refugee-Related Issues

a) Supporting regional co-operation on refugee related issues in order to promote a strategy to achieve stabilisation of the population, with priority to be given to addressing obstacles to and opportunities for safe, dignified and free return; enhancement of appropriate property legislation and enforcement system.

b) Development of specific vocational training programs and job schemes to develop, keep and return human resources in and to the region;

WORKING TABLE ON ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION, DEVELOPMENT AND CO-OPERATION

The main strategic aim of this Working Table is to promote greater prosperity and confidence throughout the region and progressive integration into the European and global economy, including by strengthening market economy and its institutions, rules and regulations, promoting healthy business practices, contributing to the sustainable re-integration of refugees and encouraging private investment into the region, promoting economic cooperation, and progressively creating free trade in the region and between the countries in the region and the European Union,. The Working Table should consider activities particularly in the following areas:

a) Encouragement, through appropriate bodies, of private investment in the region, through the creation of a sound investment climate which stresses economic and financial stability and a sound institutional framework; improving the enforcement of commercial law; identifying key obstacles to investment; developing country-specific investment guides; identifying areas and projects for bi- and multilateral technical and financial co-operation to develop appropriate vehicles to mobilise private finance and mitigate risk, including through export and investment credit insurance; development of an investment charter; offer training that emphasise the critical importance of observing ethical business standards and practices; incentives for firms based in Stability Pact countries to invest or seek partnerships in firms based in the region; risk mitigation and other forms of support for firms based in participating countries who are seeking investment opportunities in the Stability Pact countries

b) Taking into account the IFI's programmes focusing on establishing a sound and efficient monetary and financial system, by encouraging local authorities in the region to cooperate and implement these programmes.

c) Strengthening human capital by giving priority to training and education to help spur broad-based sustainable growth and poverty reduction;

d) Improving economic co-operation between the countries in the region, and between the region, the European Union and the other Stability Pact participants, facilitators and observers, including through the general enhancement of trade and commercial relations, the removal of policy and administrative obstacles to the free flow of goods, people and capitals and the progressive creation of free trade areas in the region and between the countries in the region and the European Union; pursuing concrete measures for providing unilateral trade preferences for the countries of South Eastern Europe to catalyse development and growth in the region;

e) Complementing the progressive liberalisation of trade and commerce with measures to enable companies/entrepreneurs in the region to benefit from exposure to their EU and other counterparts, including issues pertaining to WTO accession;

f) Bringing about greater compatibility between the countries in the region in border and trade and transport facilitation, and between them and the rest of the European and world economy, including through harmonisation of rules and regulations, including in areas such as cumulation of the rules of origin, standards, customs co-operation, intellectual property rights co-operation, taxation and fiscal policy, training;

g) Development of specific means to allow active participation of firms from South Eastern Europe in procurement for reconstruction and development in the region;

h) Establishment of a business advisory council for prominent business leaders to provide advice on establishing practices and norms conducive to growth and job creation in the private sector and a sound climate for foreign direct investment;

i) Establishment of an environment conducive to the creation of start-up companies and the dynamic growth of small and medium enterprises by improving access to debt and equity finance, minimising policy and administrative impediments and strengthening support networks; and ensuring involvement of entrepreneurs themselves in this process, eg through conferences of entrepreneurs;

j) Promotion of open, transparent and fair competition under multilaterally-agreed mechanisms;

k) Address environmental issues in general and cross-border environmental issues in particular, developing common projects;

l) Assist in developing a viable agricultural sector, including the appropriate legislative and structural measures;

m) Consider social partnerships between employers' association and Trade Unions, to further accepted international standards in social welfare, working environments, practices and legislation;

n) Evaluation of and impulse to infrastructure projects which enhance regional and intra-regional trade and co-operation, bringing together countries with a mutual interest; furthering viable infrastructure development taking public budget resource constraints and possible private sector participation into account. Consideration of modernisation and development of, among others, the regional transport, energy and telecommunications system and their connection to trans-European networks by:

1. developing improved transport systems, both services and infrastructure, and interconnecting the trans-European communication and transport networks, in particular through construction or modernisation of roads and railways, and the restoration and upgrading of the navigational infrastructure on the Danube, including the Pan European Corridors linking South East Europe to Central and Western Europe and the realisation of transport arteries serving the greatest possible number of countries in the region; in this context attention should also be given to exploiting the potential offered by maritime links, especially the Adriatic/Ionian Seas, as well as improvements in the air transport systems;

2. interconnecting the national electric power systems of the SEE countries and linking them with the rest of the European system;

3. interconnecting the trans regional pipeline for petroleum and natural gas systems with the rest of the European system;

4. modernisation and development of the telecommunications system and legislation.

WORKING TABLE ON SECURITY ISSUES:

The main strategic aim of this Working Table is to help create a climate of confidence and security throughout the region, including by rationalisation of defense planning and spending, the general demilitarization of societies within the region, transparency in defense issues and other confidence building measures, democratic control of the armed forces and paramilitary troops, effective control and reduction of small arms. In these activities the Working Table will build upon the key role of the OSCE, NATO, the EU among other organisations, in fostering stability and security across South Eastern Europe, and increasing cooperation between law enforcement authorities in the region and between the countries in the region and the European states to fight terrorism, organised crime and corruption. At the first meeting of the Working Table, the Chair will appoint individuals with high professional expertise to chair the sub-tables on justice and home affairs, and defense and security issues. The Working Table and the Sub Tables should consider activities particularly in the following areas:

Justice and home affairs

a) Strengthen law enforcement, and prosecutorial services in the context of reforming police and judiciary, where appropriate;

b) Reform of criminal law in the region;

c) Encouraging co-operation, by establishing co-operative programs between the countries in the region and between the region and the other Stability Pact participants, facilitators and observers, on fighting terrorism, cross border organised crime, corruption, drugs-trafficking and concerted action in the field of migration;

d) Gradually introducing countries in South Eastern Europe to the framework of EUROPOL activities;

e) Programs for establishment of judicial and law enforcement standards, in accordance with relevant international conventions and agreements;

f) Increasing the transparency of internal security forces, regulating their relationship with defense forces and ensuring conformity with the OSCE code of conduct;

g) Improvement of border management procedures, including rules on visas, enhanced dialogue on border control policy, and professionalisation of border forces;

h) Promotion of co-operation on disaster relief and support for humanitarian operations;

i) Developing institutional and professional capabilities in the areas of migration and asylum.

Defense and Security issues