The Budva conference, organised by the Sarajevo-based nongovernmental organisation International League of Humanists, was focused on relations between the European Union and countries of the region.
The event was attended by Croatian President Stjepan Mesic, Albanian President Alfred Moisiu, the chairman of the Bosnian collective presidency Nebojsa Radmanovic, Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov, Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski and the chairwoman of the European Parliament's Committee on Southeast Europe, Doris Pack.
Although his arrival had been announced, Serbian President Boris Tadic did not show up at the event. The visiting officials were welcomed by Montenegrin President Filip Vujanovic and the conference was opened by the secretary general of the International League of Humanists, Zdravko Surlan.
Croatian President Mesic called for the continuation of reforms and changes necessary for the countries of the region to become truly democratic states. "From this conference we are sending to the European Union a message of peace based on tolerance and coexistence, a message of solidarity in which everyone is aware of the responsibility fort the safety of others," Mesic said.
He reiterated that membership of the European Union was the priority strategic objective for all countries of the region.
Doris Pack said that all countries of the region should become EU members when they meet the required criteria. The idea of peace can be realised only through a joint fight against terrorism and radicalism, the German parliamentarian added. She called for the strengthening of cooperation in the region and promised the European Parliament would help the region draw closer to Europe. We need you and you need us, Pack said.
Bulgarian President Parvanov promised that his country, a new EU member state, would assist other countries in the region, adding that cooperation was a condition for receiving assistance.