ZAGREB/ATHENS, Jan 14 (Hina) - The Greek Presidency of the European Union wants to kick-start the process of the European integration of the Balkans, a new political forum to help further develop mechanisms that will stimulate
political dialogue and regional cooperation in the region and between the region and the EU.
ZAGREB/ATHENS, Jan 14 (Hina) - The Greek Presidency of the European
Union wants to kick-start the process of the European integration
of the Balkans, a new political forum to help further develop
mechanisms that will stimulate political dialogue and regional
cooperation in the region and between the region and the EU. #L#
The mechanisms stepping up political dialogue and regional
cooperation should be developed further through the establishment
of a new political scheme, called the Process of the European
Integration of the Balkans, building on the Zagreb Summit of 2000
and the conclusions of the Council of Ministers of May 2002, reads a
document called "The Priorities of the Greek Presidency for the
Western Balkans", released in Athens on Tuesday.
The heads of state and prime ministers of five countries in the
region and their colleagues from the EU would hold regular meetings
within the Process of the European Integration of the Balkans.
Similar meetings would be held by the countries' foreign ministers,
while other ministers would hold meetings when needed.
The document highlights six priorities for the Western Balkans -
the promotion of peace, stability and democratic development; the
continuation of the Stabilisation and Association Process (SAP)
with the five countries in the region (Croatia, Bosnia-
Herzegovina, Yugoslavia, Macedonia and Albania); the development
of the SAP and its adjustment to the new environment after the EU's
expansion; the launching of the "Process of the European
Integration of the Balkans"; directing attention to issues which
are important for the region, such as the fight against organised
crime, refugee returns, the reconstruction of historical and
religious facilities and the promotion of regional co-operation
and initiative in South-East Europe.
With regard to the second priority, Greece stressed that it wanted
to encourage the continuation of the process of ratification of the
Stabilisation and Association Agreement between Croatia and the
EU, so that it could go into force and be applied, enabling the
further deepening of relations within the SAP.
The SAP remains the foundation stone of the European policy in the
region and Greece wants to enrich it with its experience gained in
the process of expansion, the document notes.
The progress of each country will be judged by its own merits and
achievements.
Particularly important is Greece's goal for the EU to officially
confirm that countries which successfully complete the SAP will not
have to sign new contracts or agreements to become full EU members.
Greece wants the EU to send a strong political message to countries
and peoples in the region at a summit of the EU and five Western
Balkan countries to be held in Salonika on June 21. The message
should contain the following elements: the Western Balkans remains
high on the EU's list of priorities, European prospects are the most
credible and attractive alternative for the region, these
prospects are in no way threatened by the process of enlargement,
which is underway.
The document also notes that after a decade of conflicts and crises,
major progress has been achieved in the stabilisation of the region
and that free and democratic elections were held and democratic
governments established in all the countries. However, in many
regards stability and progress are very fragile and the
implementation of international agreements which put an end to the
conflicts in the region is not always satisfactory, says the Greek
Presidency of the EU, adding that exclusiveness, nationalism and
ethnic tensions remain an obstacle to reconciliation and
integration.
(hina) rml