ZAGREB ZAGREB, June 12 (Hina) - The Stability Pact for Southeastern Europe's Working Table on Security started its fourth regular semi-annual meeting in Zagreb on Tuesday.
ZAGREB, June 12 (Hina) - The Stability Pact for Southeastern
Europe's Working Table on Security started its fourth regular semi-
annual meeting in Zagreb on Tuesday. #L#
"The Stability Pact continues to be an important instrument in the
process of building stability, cooperation and prosperity in the
region and Europe. It can be an irreplaceable mechanism in
facilitating the enlargement of the European Union and NATO.
However, if that goal is to be achieved, the Table should
demonstrate a higher level of efficiency and adaptability," said
Vladimir Drobnjak, a co-chairman of the Table and Croatian
ambassador.
According to Drobnjak, it is important to recognise the good sides
as well as the drawbacks of current initiatives and activities
within the Stability Pact.
"On the basis of such an analysis we should determine priorities
which would direct this year's activities of the Pact. Setting
priorities is important because the Pact does not have the funds and
ability necessary for carrying out all current activities.
Finally, it is important to define a clear financial strategy for
the successful completion of scheduled projects," he said.
The Zagreb meeting gathered about 250 participants from 60
countries and organisations which are members of the Stability
Pact.
Welcoming the meeting, Assistant Foreign Minister Vesna Cvjetkovic
Kurelec said "a combination of regional cooperation and
implementation of concrete projects has been the Pact's strength
from the beginning." Therefore, jeopardising any of the two
segments would jeopardise the essence of the Pact and lessen
prospects for its success, she said. She also expressed
satisfaction that Croatia's initiative for an international fire
fighting exercise to be held in Croatia in 2002 was accepted and
included in the official activities of Partnership for Peace.
A statement by EU representatives on the occasion of the Zagreb
meeting reads that the Stability Pact continues to have an
important regional role in promoting democracy, human rights,
economic revival, security and dialogue and cooperation,
supporting countries in the region on their path toward Europe.
According to the EU, the Table's priorities should be arms control
and the reform of the defence sector, demining, the prevention of
uncontrolled possession and smuggling of light weapons, the
prevention and fighting of disasters, asylum policy and
migrations, and the prevention of people smuggling, organised
crime and corruption.
The two-day meeting is organised into two sub-tables on defence and
security issues and justice and internal affairs. After the second
plenary session on Tuesday afternoon, co-chairmen Kim Traavik and
Vladimir Drobnjak will hold a news conference.
The organisation of the Zagreb meeting marks the end of Croatia's
six-month chairmanship of the Working Table on Security.
(hina) rml