DEBATE ON SOUTHEAST EUROPE IN NEW YORK ENDS

NEW YORK, May 3 (Hina) - The European Union (EU) will financially and military be present in the Southeast Europe until the region becomes a stabile and prosperous part for the Old Continent, the European Union High Representative for joint foreign policy and security, Javier Solana, said at the end of a debate on Southeast Europe in New York Tuesday. Solana said that, excluding military expenses, the European Union directly invested EUR9 billion in Southeast European countries in the past ten years. United States Secretary of State Madeleine Albright advocated greater share of private investors in stimulating economic development in the upcoming period. Albright, as well as Solana, pointed to the responsibility of each country for the stability in the region. She stressed that the United States would not be able to carry out its extremely significant role in the Balkans without sufficient funds. Albright added that the behaviour of the United States Congress was irresponsible because the funds from the budget earmarked for the international assistance had been cut in half in the past 10 years. Special Advisor of the United States President Christopher Hill commented on the restraint and repulsion of certain countries towards a so-called regional approach. He denied that the idea hides a desire for a joint formal connecting of the countries of Southeast Europe. The Southeast European countries cannot escape their environment, and the more successful and better their mutual, primarily economic relations are, the closer they will get to the membership in EuroAtlantic integration, Hill stressed. Croatia's First Deputy Prime Minister Goran Granic at yesterday's meeting reiterated Croatia's well-known stance that each country should with its own merits gain its seat in the community of European countries and trans-Atlantic associations. Representatives of other states voiced the same stance apart from Albanian President Rexhep Meidani. He thought regional connecting was a precondition for a joint accession into the European Union. The meeting on development and possibilities of investing into the Southeast of Europe was held in New York Tuesday and was organised by the East - West Institute. (hina) it jn