site.btaPresident Plevneliev: Only Path to Peace, Prosperity in Southeast Europe is Path of Cooperation, Rule of Law, Human Rights and Freedoms

President Plevneliev: Only Path to Peace, Prosperity in Southeast Europe is Path of Cooperation, Rule of Law, Human Rights and Freedoms

Sofia, June 1 (BTA) - 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. The forum marks the 20th anniversary of SEECP, the end of the Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office which the country held since July 2015, and its handover to Croatia who takes over from July 1.

SEECP was established in Sofia in 1996, on Bulgaria's initiative.

In his address to the forum Plevneliev said that today Europe 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 standing together the countries in it are 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 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 plotting 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 in the top ten global economies.

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

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

Attending the summit are state and government leaders and foreign ministers of the 13 member states of SEECP. 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 summit is to adopt a statement on SEECP's 20th anniversary which will also be marked with a photo exhibition.