Predsednik Pahor in predsednik Josipović v Dubrovniku gostila voditelje Brdo Process

Predsednik Republike Slovenije Borut Pahor in predsednik Republike Hrvaške Ivo Josipović sta v Dubrovniku gostila voditelje Brdo Process, letošnja posebna gostja je bila nemška kanclerka Angela Merkel.

Kot nadaljevanje pobude Brdo Process, ki je bilo prvič lani na Brdu pri Kranju, sta predsednik Republike Slovenije Borut Pahor in predsednik Republike Hrvaške Ivo Josipovič v Dubrovniku gostila drugo srečanje voditeljev regije Zahodnega Balkana. Kot posebna gostja je bila na srečanju prisotna tudi kanclerka Zvezne republike Nemčije Angela Merkel. Srečanja so se udeležili še predsedniki Republike Srbije, Bosne in Hercegovine, Republike Makedonije, Republike Albanije, Kosova in Črne gore.

Oživitvi pobude Brdo Process je botrovalo spoznanje o nujnosti krepitve političnega dialoga, ustvarjanja zaupanja ter nujnosti sprotnega reševanja odprtih bilateralnih ter regionalnih vprašanj.


Foto: Hina/STA


JOINT CONCLUSIONS: MEETING OF BRDO-BRIJUNI PROCESS MEETING

Dubrovnik, 15 July 2014

We, the Leaders of the Brdo Brijuni process, having met in Dubrovnik on July 15th, 2014, following a constructive debate on the future of the region, conclude to:

1. Express condolences and sympathy to the citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Croatia for the lost lives and immense destruction of property in the catastrophic floods that struck the region. We commend the immediate acts of solidarity extended to the flooded areas and huge contributions that have been made from the region, all of Europe and beyond.

Recent floods have proven that there is a need for more practical coordination and crisis prevention and management mechanisms in case of natural disasters. In this regard we support the donor conference for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia that is organised by Slovenia, France and European Commission on the 16th of July in Brussels.

2. Promote, encourage and strengthen an advanced stage of regional cooperation, and cooperation between the region and the EU that would assist the final political and economic consolidation of this region within the EU enlargement framework.

Zagreb and Ljubljana, as members of the EU, remain fully committed to work on all these issues within the EU and with its neighbours.

3. Commend significant progress in the strengthening of institutional relations between the Western Balkans and the EU that happened since our last meeting a year ago.

Belgrade started accession negotiations, Tirana received a candidate status, Pristina concluded negotiations for the SAA, Podgorica has enhanced its progress in EU accession negotiations. These developments will contribute to the further integration and core stability in this part of Europe.

4. Recognise that there are still serious impediments for the progress of the region as a whole, which need to be tackled with more courage and political will by all.

While the primary responsibility for the necessary reforms remains in Bosnia and Herzegovina itself, EU's active engagement at the highest political level through an approach that takes into account country specifics is necessary for the acceleration of its accession process in the European Union.

We expressed hope that the European Council will reach a decision on the accession negotiations for Skopje, having in mind the posibilty of parallel accession negotiations and closing of bilateral differences.

We emphasize the importance of the visa liberalization process for Pristina, and while responsibility for the fulfillment of benchmarks remains with Pristina authorities, we encourage acceleration of this process and Pristina's EU future.

5. Reiterate commitment to continuation of internal reform processes, and achieving full reconciliation and opening of societies to even better cooperation on all issues of our common interest. Good governance, sustainable economic development, rule of law and zero tolerance to corruption should remain central tasks. Special attention should be paid to the unacceptably high unemployment rates especially among the youth.

6. Pay special attention to our youth, and support concrete initiatives enhancing regional cooperation granting more scholarships and opening more access for the young people from the region to study in the EU, thus increasing youth mobility, strengthening further judicial administration and cooperation.

7. Recognise that the poor state of infrastructure in the region is a serious impediment for economic growth, and free movement of people, goods and capital. This is not just regional infrastructure, but a European one.

8. View key projects, such as finalising the Adriatic Ionian Highway and Munich-(through Ljubljana-Zagreb-Belgrade) Istanbul railway, as European projects from all aspects: planning, financing and building – all stages should be discussed, agreed and built within Europe, for Europe. These projects will enhance connectivity between the region and the EU.

9. Encourage the forthcoming Commission to reinforce planning of strategic European transport and energy infrastructure to include the Western Balkans as an integral part of European maps.

10. Support regional projects aimed at opening the South gas corridor with a view of diversifying energy supply of natural gas and increasing energy security of the region. In this regard we acknowledge the IAP/TAP pipeline and the South Stream in accordance with the EU energy policy.

11. Sustain the interest and engagement in the Western Balkans and therefore invite the European Council to organise an EU-Western Balkans Summit to evaluate achievements, obligations, opportunities and plans for the full integration of this region into the EU.