ZAGREB DECLARATION ADOPTED AT STABILITY PACT PARLIAMENTARY SUMMIT

ZAGREB, Sept 13 (Hina) - Support to the full implementation of the Stability Pact for South East Europe through parliamentary cooperation and cooperation with executive authorities, with the strengthening of economic activities and full democratisation of the society, with the aim of permanently stabilising countries of South East Europe and their drawing closer to Euro-Atlantic Associations, are messages conveyed in the "Zagreb Declaration" adopted by participants of the Pact's Parliamentary Summit at the end of the conference on Wednesday. #L# Applauding the organisation of the conference in Croatia at a time when important democratic changes are taking place in the country, participants of the summit stressed in the declaration they "are determined to provide continued support to the Stability Pact process". Since "security and prosperity of the global community depends on the security and prosperity of individual regions and countries," the parliamentarians said they "commit ourselves to expanding parliamentary cooperation and working with respective executive branches, civil society institutions and the public at large in our countries in promoting the use of the Pact to achieve long-term stability of the European continent". As a precondition for long-term stability participants accentuated the importance of the programme of regional return of refugees, which demands political will and commitment for providing the financial means of all those interested. Stating the Zagreb summit had taken place "at a moment of global parliamentary efforts," such as the recently held UN Millennium Assembly, members of the summit expressed in the declaration support to the "goal of those countries of South Eastern Europe who wish to do so, to become fully integrated into European and Euro- Atlantic structures, and believe that the Stability Pact and the implementation of its objectives within such a regional framework will significantly contribute to the process". "Therefore, we affirm the importance of the provision of Article 8 of the Cologne Document, which clearly sets out the parameters for the integration of South Eastern European countries into the European Union on an individual basis and their commitment to continued democratic and economic reforms, as well as bilateral and regional cooperation among themselves," the declaration states. In this sense, the declaration hails the progress some countries have already achieved in the development of institutional relations with the EU, and stresses special importance of the Decision of the European Council in Santa Maria de Feira which stated that all countries included in the Stabilisation and Association Process are potential candidates for European Union membership. The Zagreb Declaration notes "the high expectations of the peoples and governments in the region for the implementation of the Stability Pact, particularly in important areas such as the development of transport infrastructure, communications, energy supplies and waterways, in particular the Danube waterway, as well as creating a favourable foreign investment climate and enhancing regional trade liberalisation". Participants stressed the need for timely initiation of "Quick- start projects", but also the fact that efforts in economy would be incomplete without similar progress in the development of a society based on democratic values. An entire article of the declaration has been devoted to the situation in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, which "continues to cause serious concern, in particular to its neighbouring countries, but also to the international community". The participants of the summit thus expressed firm support to democratic forces in Yugoslavia, calling on the Serbian Opposition and civil society to create alternatives to the regime which has isolated this country. Following several consultations and amendments, adopted at the insistence of the delegation of the Russian Federation, the final text of the document contains a sentence in which the participants of the conference "support the democratically elected government in Montenegro in its efforts to promote democracy, peace and stability in the region," and urge on "all in Kosovo to refrain from violence and to help build a democratic and multiethnic society". The declaration concludes by asserting the importance of regular multilateral parliamentary conferences, and invites parliaments of South eastern European countries to consider establishing relevant subcommittees for the Stability Pact. (hina) lml