ZAGREB, March 28 (Hina) - The Stability Pact's regional donors' conference, to be held in Brussels on March 29/30, will consist of three elements: clear obligations of countries in the region regarding reforms; medium- and long-term
obligations of the European Union and G8 toward coordinated assistance to the region; and a special programme of measures for urgent implementation, drafted with the aim of implementing a new policy of the Pact, focusing on regional cooperation and integration, Stability Pact Coordinator Bodo Hombach said. In an article discussing the need for partnership in achieving democracy and prosperity in the Balkans, sent to Hina from his office, Hombach says the EU and G8 will invest efforts to make an important step in the right direction at the upcoming donors' conference in Brussels. Just above one billion Euros will be needed for a package of measures for urgent implementation,
ZAGREB, March 28 (Hina) - The Stability Pact's regional donors'
conference, to be held in Brussels on March 29/30, will consist of
three elements: clear obligations of countries in the region
regarding reforms; medium- and long-term obligations of the
European Union and G8 toward coordinated assistance to the region;
and a special programme of measures for urgent implementation,
drafted with the aim of implementing a new policy of the Pact,
focusing on regional cooperation and integration, Stability Pact
Coordinator Bodo Hombach said.
In an article discussing the need for partnership in achieving
democracy and prosperity in the Balkans, sent to Hina from his
office, Hombach says the EU and G8 will invest efforts to make an
important step in the right direction at the upcoming donors'
conference in Brussels.
Just above one billion Euros will be needed for a package of
measures for urgent implementation, however, money will not be of
crucial importance, except to the extent that it reflects the real
activity and development on the ground, Hombach said.
Each million Euros, which actually reach the address they have been
set aside for, are worth much more than the money, which,
regrettably, is too often disappearing in the black hole of
corruption and nepotism, he said.
Hombach also warns that it is not wise to create a situation in which
neighbouring countries would be competing for assistance and
political protection.
Assistance to countries in the region and reforms in those
countries are mutually dependent. Assistance without reform is
assistance in vain, Hombach said, adding though that without
considerable assistance from outside, reforms would remain only a
dream.
(hina) mm rml