site.btaSEECP Summit Concludes in Sofia with Adoption of Declaration on Occasion of Process' 20th Anniversary

SEECP Summit Concludes in Sofia with Adoption of Declaration on Occasion of Process' 20th Anniversary

Sofia, June 1 (BTA) - The summit meeting of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) concluded here on Wednesday with the adoption of a declaration on the occasion of the Process' 20th anniversary, which was marked this year. The member states have agreed on the need to continue the processes of the region's Euro-Atlantic integration. SEECP was established in Sofia in 1996, on Bulgaria's initiative.

The forum marked SEECP's 20th anniversary, the end of the Bulgarian Ch which the country held since July 2015, and its handover to Croatia, which takes over from July 1. Attending the summit were state and government leaders and foreign ministers of the 13 SEECP member states. Among the participants is Secretary General of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Lamberto Zannier and Goran Svilanovic of the OSCE Regional Cooperation Council, as well as a representative of the European Commission.

The European project would not be complete without the complete integration of the Western Balkan countries into the EU, said President Rosen Plevneliev during the SEECP Troika's news conference (the previous, current and next chairmanship holders - Albania, Bulgaria and Croatia).

Improving the regional infrastructure and connectivity were described as a strategic priority for the development of South-East Europe, Plevneliev noted. He recalled that the EU plans on investing close to 50 billion euro in the region by 2020, as well as that 1.2 billion euro will be directed over the next few years via the cross-border cooperation programmes.

"Energy dependence is a topic of importance to all of us, it makes us very vulnerable and threatens each country's national security. This problem we can only solve together," Plevneliev said. It is important that the SEECP member states work to integrate their energy markets and build a modern regional infrastructure, the President noted, recalling that Bulgaria is one of the engines behind the establishment of a common regional energy market.

Albanian President Bujar Nishani noted the region's development following SEECP's establishment. "We made huge efforts to achieve our strategic goals, to enlarge the NATO and EU borders in our region," Nishani said, adding that stronger ties of sincere friendship and cooperation have been established. The Albanian head of State also noted the confirmed strategic objectives for the whole region's European integration.

Nishani stressed Albania's solidarity with the countries from the region, which are affected by the refugee crisis, adding that his country is offering them and the EU support.

Croatian Foreign Minister Miro Kovac outlined science and education, energy and response to emergency situations as three priorities of his country's upcoming chairmanship-in-office. Croatia plans on additionally reinforcing cooperation between the countries by building a joint regional science and innovations centre, based in Split. Energy security is the main premise for economic development, Kovac said, adding that energy dependence threatens each country's ability to make sovereign political decisions. According to the Croatian top diplomat, the strategic approach would be to diversify energy supplies.

The SEECP countries have agreed to exchange information and coordinate their efforts in relation to the migrant crisis, to treat asylum seekers humanely, but also to be uncompromising in the fight against human trafficking networks, Plevneliev said during the Troika's news conference. The SEECP members are aware that it would be inadmissible, impossible and inefficient for each of them to deal with this serious problem alone, he noted.

The participants in Wednesday's meeting have agreed to monitor the situation in the region and act in case the migrant situation changes unexpectedly, the President said, adding that much was achieved to guarantee the security of citizens, while human rights and freedoms were observed. The countries have agreed to have their competent institutions, such as interior and defence ministries, intensify the exchange of information. There are also joint trainings in the region which aim to improve efficiency in addressing this problem.

Opening a summit meeting of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) here on Wednesday President Rosen Plevneliev said that the only path to peace and prosperity in the region is the path of cooperation, partnership, rule of the law and human rights and freedoms. In his address to the forum Plevneliev said that Europe today is faced with a record-high number of crises which have a direct impact on the region and that the right solutions can only be found when the countries act together. "Our region is a region to be reckoned with on the geopolitical stage. Only by standing together are the countries in it stronger, more competitive and more attractive to investors, and can ensure peace and prosperity to their peoples," Plevneliev said.

The head of State said that twenty years after the start of SEECP the leaders of the countries in the region are once again together in Sofia to send a strong message to Europe and the world about dialogue, understanding, good neighbourliness and cooperation, peaceful and prospering Balkans.

He said that in the past 20 years the countries have achieved a lot together, overcome prejudice, mistrust, scepticism, and that today they are planning their common future. Plevneliev said that 20 years ago the aggregate Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the countries in Southeast Europe stood at 440 billion euro whereas now it is thrice as much. The President cited IMF
forecasts that if the current pace of development persists, in five years' time the regional GDP will reach 1,600 billion euro, bringing the region among the top ten global economies.

Plevneliev said that never before have cooperation and good neighbourliness been such a decisive factor for positive development. He described the European integration as the driving force of these positive processes.

Plevneliev dwelled on the achievements of the Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office, which focused on active work on increasing connectivity, strengthening democracy and civil society, tackling the challenges in the area of migration and security.