HOMBACH DISMISSES CRITICISMS OF STABILITY PACT

SARAJEVO, Nov 29 (Hina) - The Stability Pact for Southeast Europe coordinator, Bodo Hombach, on Thursday dismissed claims on the Pact's inefficiency. The cooperation between the Southeast European countries has never been better, and it is the best indicator of the results accomplished so far through the Pact, Hombach told journalists in Sarajevo after meeting the High Representative for Bosnia, Wolfgang Petritsch, with whom he discussed the situation in the country. Hombach arrived in Sarajevo in order to take part in the signing of a letter of intent by which Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Yugoslavia are trying to encourage the establishment of free navigation on the Sava River as soon as possible. According to Hombach, economic cooperation among the Sava River region countries is the best way to the strengthening of trust among the countries. An open market of 55 million people was now practically existing under the auspices of the Stability Pact, which opens unimaginable possibilities for development, Hombach said. Funds for various development programmes, raised through projects of the Stability Pact, cannot solve all problems, but are nonetheless an important stimulation to those who want to help themselves, Hombach said. He is leaving the duty of Stability Pact Coordinator at the end of 2001. He was appointed Coordinator in 1999. (hina) np sb