BARI, Oct 9 (Hina) - The economic growth is a locomotive of the development of south-eastern Europe, and today's meeting is the millennium's turning point in getting this region closer to the European Union, according to speeches of
Stability Pact Special Coordinator Bodo Hombach and Italian Premier Massimo d'Alema which relay messages of the EU for the Stability Pact's Task Force for economic recovery, development and cooperation that is holding its first session in Bari, Italy. Both Hombach and d'Alema described Saturday's inaugural session as the first step toward initiating stronger economic development of the European south-eastern region, a long process that requires considerable financial support. According to d'Alema, the economic growth, security and the rule-of-law were so tightly linked that it is difficult to decide on where to start. The economic development is a pre-condit
BARI, Oct 9 (Hina) - The economic growth is a locomotive of the
development of south-eastern Europe, and today's meeting is the
millennium's turning point in getting this region closer to the
European Union, according to speeches of Stability Pact Special
Coordinator Bodo Hombach and Italian Premier Massimo d'Alema which
relay messages of the EU for the Stability Pact's Task Force for
economic recovery, development and cooperation that is holding its
first session in Bari, Italy.
Both Hombach and d'Alema described Saturday's inaugural session as
the first step toward initiating stronger economic development of
the European south-eastern region, a long process that requires
considerable financial support.
According to d'Alema, the economic growth, security and the rule-
of-law were so tightly linked that it is difficult to decide on
where to start.
The economic development is a pre-condition of the overall
development, but the international community must be sure that it
can invest its money in the south-east of Europe without any fear,
the Italian Premier said.
Foreign investors must get firm assurances in this regard, he said
and called on the eradication of crime and corruption.
During the war southeastern European countries became cross-roads
of crime and nor was Italy spared of it. Italy will notify the EU
ministerial session in the Finnish town of Tampere of the necessity
to organise a conference on security and safety at the Adriatic.
According to d'Alema's speech, the Adriatic must not be a route for
smuggling, primarily cigarettes, but also arms and people into
Europe, and Italy is not the sole EU member-country that must cope
with such a problem.
Italy will play a major role in the fight against corruption as well
as in efforts to achieve the economic growth, its Premier promised
concluding that a project for the development of south-eastern
Europe is a challenge for the entire continent.
German diplomat Hombach expressed regret at the fact that Serbian
people had no representative at the Bari gathering, and also voiced
hope that the current regime in Yugoslavia (Serbia/Montenegro)
would be soon changed.
Serbs are not our enemy and we shall miss their contribution,
d'Alema said adding that Europe is obliged to show solidarity with
the south-east of the continent, eliminate causes of conflicts and
set up a framework for peaceful coexistence.
In this context, it is necessary to co-ordinate efforts in order to
establish the rule-of law, security, democracy and the economic
development in the region, the Italian Premier added.
(hina) ms