Slovenia’s President Attends Summit Meeting of Heads of State and Government of South-East European Countries

Istanbul, 23.6.2010  |  press release

President of the Republic of Slovenia Dr Danilo Türk attended the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit, at which the leaders of South-East European countries confirmed Slovenia’s membership of SEECP. Slovenia thus became the twelfth member of this regional forum, which is committed to strengthening the stable security and political situation in the region, enhancing economic relations and cooperation in the field of human resources, democracy, justice and internal affairs.

In his address, the President Dr Danilo Türk thanked the Heads of State and Government of SEECP members for the admission of Slovenia into membership and expressed optimistic hopes regarding cooperation among the countries of South-East Europe. He highlighted that South-East Europe is a dynamic and forward-looking region that is important for the whole of Europe. He further stressed the need to overcome the prejudices within the region and to identify the opportunities that this young and dynamic region offers. The armed conflicts that are part of recent history left behind deep scars; however, they belong to the past. In the President’s words, peace and optimism prevail today in the region.

In addition, President Türk recalled that the countries of the region need to have a clear objective, which is membership in the Euro-Atlantic integrations, and added that the European Union should overcome so-called enlargement fatigue. The best way to become members of the European Union and NATO for the countries of the region is firstly to overcome their own obstacles and to strengthen their mutual cooperation and cooperation with the international community. He also mentioned the positive impact of the European Union visa liberalisation regimes in relation to South-East European countries and stressed the importance of the free movement of persons for the region’s development. In addition, Slovenia’s President advocated a more liberal EU visa regime with Russia.

Among specific tasks that face the countries in the region, Dr Türk highlighted the development of roads and infrastructure, as well as cooperation in the field of energy and combating organised crime. Among specific short-term political priorities of the international community, President Türk mentioned help to the efforts of Bosnia and Herzegovina on its path toward NATO, help to Macedonia and Greece in finding a solution for their dispute over Macedonia’s name, which would be in the interest of both countries, and assistance to Moldova. In relation to Kosovo, President Türk warned that it should not become the black hole in the region and in Europe. President Türk also stressed that mutual respect and cooperation among the countries were key to good relations in the region.

On the fringes of the South-East European Heads of State and Government Summit, Dr Türk met the President of the Republic of Turkey, Mr Abdullah Gül, who welcomed the admission of Slovenia into SEECP membership and expressed hopes of active cooperation. President Gül described bilateral cooperation between the two countries as very good and emphasised, in particular, the ever increasing economic exchange. In addition, the Turkish President said that he was impressed with the development Slovenia had made and that he looked forward to visiting Slovenia; he offered his congratulations to President Türk on Slovenian Statehood Day.

President Türk for his part stressed very good bilateral relations between the two countries and expressed his satisfaction about the forthcoming visit by President Gül and a Turkish economic delegation to Slovenia. President Türk particularly stressed the importance of the recent visa liberalisation in regard to the South-East European countries and of freedom of movement as one of the fundamental human rights, constituting a solid basis for economic cooperation and development. Among themes of interest to Slovenia, President Türk mentioned the Partnership EU - Turkey.