WASHINGTON, July 27 (Hina) - Consistent implementation of all obligations by all countries in the region and donor-countries is important for the success of the Stability Pact for South-East Europe, about which the United States has
great expectations, reads a document issued by the White House on the occasion of July 30, the first anniversary of the Sarajevo summit and the beginning of the Pact's operation. US President Bill Clinton, who is one of the initiators of the Stability Pact, says that South-East European countries have to continue decisively the process of political and economic changes. The Pact will continue to provide significant assistance, particularly through investment programmes and in fighting corruption, the document reads. The United States urges all donor-countries to fulfil their promises and see that all quick-start projects start functioning as soon as possible, by March
WASHINGTON, July 27 (Hina) - Consistent implementation of all
obligations by all countries in the region and donor-countries is
important for the success of the Stability Pact for South-East
Europe, about which the United States has great expectations, reads
a document issued by the White House on the occasion of July 30, the
first anniversary of the Sarajevo summit and the beginning of the
Pact's operation.
US President Bill Clinton, who is one of the initiators of the
Stability Pact, says that South-East European countries have to
continue decisively the process of political and economic changes.
The Pact will continue to provide significant assistance,
particularly through investment programmes and in fighting
corruption, the document reads.
The United States urges all donor-countries to fulfil their
promises and see that all quick-start projects start functioning as
soon as possible, by March 30 2001 at the latest. The projects
should have started operating by the end of this year but so far
funds have been secured for only about 50 of them.
Clinton warns that special attention should be paid to refugee
return. He also reminds that the US government has secured US$18.5
million for the return of refugees and displaced persons from and
within Bosnia-Herzegovina and Croatia.
The White House also supports the establishment of a disaster
prevention centre, which would be based in Zagreb, and it supports
the strengthening of cooperation between non-governmental
organisations in the region.
It is announced that the US agency for trade and development will
this year organise a regional conference on transport and power
industry, whereas the Exim Bank will increase its cooperation with
private entrepreneurs in south-east Europe.
The key factor of transformation (in the region) is the process of
establishing closer ties with the rest of Europe and transatlantic
institutions, reads the document. The White House therefore
welcomes the readiness of the European Union to take the lead in the
Pact and strengthen ties with countries in the region. The United
States has called on Brussels to open the EU market for products
from those countries as soon as possible.
(hina) mm rml