STRASBOURG, Sept 23 (Hina) - The Council of Europe Parliamentary Assembly underlines the need for an urgent engagement of Europe and the international community in the economic reconstruction and development of countries of the
south-east of Europe as a region of vital importance for peace and stability of the entire continent. The Parliamentary Assembly stressed the issue in a draft recommendation on the economic revival and development in the south-east of Europe after the Kosovo crisis which was discussed Wednesday afternoon by delegations of 41 member-countries. The issue will be voted on on Thursday afternoon. The discussion was held based on a report by a group of parliamentarians of the Council of Europe's Committee for economic issues and development who had visited Kosovo and six neighbouring countries impacted by the Kosovo crisis, including Croatia. Explanations of the report were submitted at the Pa
STRASBOURG, Sept 23 (Hina) - The Council of Europe Parliamentary
Assembly underlines the need for an urgent engagement of Europe and
the international community in the economic reconstruction and
development of countries of the south-east of Europe as a region of
vital importance for peace and stability of the entire continent.
The Parliamentary Assembly stressed the issue in a draft
recommendation on the economic revival and development in the
south-east of Europe after the Kosovo crisis which was discussed
Wednesday afternoon by delegations of 41 member-countries. The
issue will be voted on on Thursday afternoon.
The discussion was held based on a report by a group of
parliamentarians of the Council of Europe's Committee for economic
issues and development who had visited Kosovo and six neighbouring
countries impacted by the Kosovo crisis, including Croatia.
Explanations of the report were submitted at the Parliamentary
Assembly session by head of the Croatian delegation, Nikola Obuljen
(on behalf of the parliamentary group of democratic Christian and
people's parties) and Bulgaria's Evgenij Kirilov (on behalf of the
parliamentary group of socialists), as the chief rapporteurs.
The report summarises the so far processed data and assessments by
various international organisations and financial institutions on
direct and indirect war damage in Kosovo and the six neighbouring
countries on the "first line".
Several paragraphs focus on damage in Croatia (especially
concerning tourism), and Croatia's plans on the construction of
traffic infrastructure.
Expressing support for activities connected wit the Stability pact
for the south-east of Europe, the draft recommendation
particularly underlines the need for action with the aim of
restoring the confidence of investors swayed by the Kosovo crisis,
as well as for the opening of prospects for the joining of countries
of the south-east of Europe into European associations.
The recommendation also seeks a preferential trade regime in the
countries' exports to EU markets and other developed countries.
The significance of this recommendation could be seen in the fact
that several important international organisations and
institutions have in the Council of Europe's Parliamentary
Assembly their chief partner to whom they submit their annual
reports.
(hina) lml