Reform of the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe about to start
Press release 114/2006
4 May, 2006
The Senior Review Group, SRG, assigned with preparing the reform of the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe, launched in 1999, has finished its final report under the chairmanship of Ambassador Alpo Rusi. In the meeting of the Stability Pact's Regional Table in Belgrade on 29-30 May, the plan is to organise a thorough debate about the development of regional co-operation in South-Eastern Europe, enhancement of the regional ownership of the Stability Pact processes, and the future of the Stability Pact on the basis of the recommendations made by the Senior Review Group.
In its report, the Senior Review Group proposes establishment of a special Regional Co-operation Council, RCC, which would become the preparatory body for the new regional co-operation structure. Besides the States of the region, the members of the RCC would also include the EU and representatives of the international community. The council would be chaired by a Secretary-General, elected from the region, who would replace the Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact. The Secretary-General would support the activities of the already operational South-East European Co-operation Process, SEECP. The RCC would secure implementation of the results achieved during the Stability Pact and further strengthen the European integration of the region. It would offer an operative framework for development of regional co-operation within the priority areas of operation, including economic co-operation, development of infrastructure, justice and home affairs, security questions, as well as building of human capital and parliamentary co-operation. The secretariat of the Stability Pact would be placed primarily in the area of South-Eastern Europe and gradually transform into the RCC Secretariat. The intention is to have the arrangements of regional co-operation of South-Eastern Europe, proposed by the Senior Review Group, fully operational by the beginning of 2008.
The meeting of the Stability Pact's biannual Regional Table is expected to be attended by approximately 250 participants from 80 countries and key international organisations and financing institutions.
The report of the Senior Review Group can be read in its entirety on the following website: www.stabilitypact.org/documents/Final_Report_of_the_SRG.pdf(Link to another website.) (Opens New Window)
Additional information: Counsellor Katariina Niemenmaa, Unit for Western Balkans, Ministry for Foreign Affairs, tel. +358 9 1605 5623, and Ambassador Alpo Rusi, tel. +358 9 1605 5017