President Drnovšek on the necessity of a uniform EU policy on the Balkans at the meeting of presidents
Mamaia, Romania, 05/28/2004 | press release
The President of the Republic of Slovenia, Dr Janez Drnovšek, participated in the discussion on the stabilisation of the Western Balkans, as part of the 11th Meeting of Presidents of the Central European States held in Mamaia, Romania. At the meeting, the presidents outlined their views on the necessity for integration of the countries in the wider neighbourhood of the European Union, and on the importance of European prospects for the countries of South-East Europe. Those present included: Austria’s president Dr Thomas Klestil, Hungary’s president Mr Ferenc Mádl, Croatia’s president Dr Stjepan Mesić, Bulgaria’s president Mr Georgi Parvanov, Albania’s president Mr Alfred Moisiu, Serbia and Montenegro’s president Mr Svetozar Marovič, Macedonia’s president Mr Branko Crvenkovski, the host of the meeting, Romania’s president Mr Ion Iliescu, and Mr Erhard Busek, Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact for South-East Europe. The speakers highlighted the importance of a European orientation of the Western Balkan countries and of the adoption of European criteria for the countries of this area. They spoke in favour of an increase in foreign investment in this region, enabling more stable economic growth and creating new jobs. Bulgaria’s president Parvanov stressed the importance of regional co-operation both as regards the building of infrastructure, as well as other initiatives linking the countries of this region. Mr Parvanov also argued for the establishment of the so-called “cultural corridor”. He invited all the presidents present to the forum on cultural heritage of South-East Europe, to be held next spring in Varna.
During discussion, Slovenia’s president Dr Drnovšek expressed Slovenia’s interest in the stability of the Western Balkan region, and said he was pleased at Croatia’s forthcoming status of candidate country which, in Dr Drnovšek’s opinion, represented an important shift towards the ever-growing stability of the region. He called for patience from all those criticising the development and consolidation of this region as being too slow. In his opinion, one should not forget that, in view of the not so distant past, it is difficult to establish confidence quickly. Dr Drnovšek went on to highlight the importance of the US role in putting a stop to conflicts in the Balkans, and noted that the European Union had a special role in this area, the role of steering and stimulating the processes of democratisation, whereby a uniform policy was to be pursued by the European Union with regard to the Western Balkans. In his address, Slovenia’s president outlined a number of salient issues currently faced by the region and necessitating the ongoing presence of international forces in this area. Dr Drnovšek mentioned Bosnia and Herzegovina as a country developing in the positive direction but still requiring the presence of international forces. In Dr Drnovšek’s words, Bosnia and Herzegovina has the potential of becoming a state functioning without an international presence. The issue of Kosovo is a more complex one since the status quo has been maintained very long without a search being made for appropriate solutions. In Dr Drnovšek’s opinion, the European standards must be adopted in Kosovo – as they have been elsewhere – and the political solution must be sought through dialogue and jointly. Dr Drnovšek went on to add that the current situation in Kosovo and the non-defined status of the region hindered the unimpeded implementation of reform. He outlined the role of Slovenia which, as a new European Union Member State and with experience brought from the once common state, is providing the countries of former Yugoslavia with both political and technical assistance in adopting European criteria. Slovenia’s role within the EU will be to make sure that the attention of the EU remains focused on this region. Dr Drnovšek concluded by stressing the unity of the future Europe, which must not allow the so-called black holes in its future enlargement.