Greek Foreign Minister’s speech in SEECP Informal Ministerial Summit

Thank you Mr. Chairman,
Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

I wish to congratulate the Serbian Chairmanship-in-Office of the South East Europe Cooperation Process for organizing this meeting in an excellent manner and for extending us such a warm hospitality.

The SEECP constitutes a unique institutionalized political forum for regional cooperation in South East Europe. Based on the fundamental principles of regional ownership and all-inclusiveness, the SEECP has evolved into a truly important political, social and economic process promoting regional cooperation and economic partnership and producing concrete results.

However, we cannot have productive regional cooperation without trust and confidence. Greece believes that good neighborly relations still have to be consolidated in our region and in all areas of state activity. It is imperative to put an end to out-dated inter-state and inter-ethnic disputes and strengthen reconciliation, confidence and cooperation.

Being a strong supporter of EU enlargement, Greece is actively engaged and has played a leading role in shaping the European perspective of the Western Balkans. Our common and strong commitment to the European and Euro-Atlantic perspective of South East Europe, depending on the individual aspirations and merits of the respective countries, is the best way to achieve lasting peace, reconciliation, democracy and prosperity for our peoples.

The EU has repeatedly affirmed its unequivocal commitment to the Western Balkan states’ European perspective. It is well understood, I believe, that the reunification of Europe cannot be complete without the integration of the Balkans into the EU. And yet we presently have to offset a pervasive ‘enlargement fatigue’ as well as the distractions of the protracted economic and financial crisis and other events threatening to turn EU’s attention away from our region and to slow down the enlargement process of the Western Balkans.

These events have proven that the maintenance and reinforcement of the enlargement process in the Western Balkans constitute a key precondition for the stability and democracy in South East Europe. That is why there is now an even greater need to inject new impetus and new energy in the European perspective of the Western Balkans.

To this end, as you well know, Greece has initiated the “Agenda 2014”.

“Agenda 2014” is intended to be an important catalyst of the European integration of the Western Balkans. Therefore, it will be guided by the same basic principles of the Renewed Consensus on Enlargement of 2006 governing the accession process, i.e. the principle of rigorous and fair conditionality and of evaluating each country ‘on its own merits’. It clearly presupposes the respect of the Copenhagen criteria and the Stabilization and Association Process conditionalities. These include the principles of good neighborly relations and of promoting and upgrading regional cooperation and regional reconciliation.

The basic aim of “Agenda 2014” is to contribute to the development of a favorable political environment that will keep the Western Balkans’ European integration as high as possible on the list of EU priorities. At the same time it will encourage a demand-driven, project-oriented and locally-owned cooperation.

In this context, I would like to welcome the recent outcome of Croatia’s referendum, endorsing the country’s accession to EU. Croatia’s accession to the EU is a major step in the Western Balkans’ integration process to the European family. It proves that when the required conditions and criteria are met, EU delivers. Croatia showed the path, which the rest of the candidate as well as potential candidate countries of the region can and should follow.

Holding the Presidency of the South East Europe Cooperation Process (SEECP), the Central European Initiative (CEI) and the Adriatic-Ionian Initiative (AII), Serbia has been actively promoting regional cooperation and peripheral reconciliation.

Greece is a strong supporter of Serbia’s European course. We consider it fair that the candidate status should at last be granted to Serbia in the March European Council.

Similarly, Greece supports the EU sponsored Belgrade-Prishtina dialogue, aimed at contributing to the security, stability and development of the region. In this context, both sides should keep working towards finding creative, practical and mutually beneficial solutions.

The Serb SEECP C-i-O efforts to promote regional cooperation and reconciliation are truly commendable. I should also underline the special attention given by the current Presidency to the very important issues of organized crime and energy.

Combating organized crime is and should continue to be a fundamental priority for the governments of the region. Particular attention has been given to fighting all forms of trafficking, drugs and arms.

Significant progress has been made in forming a South Eastern Europe energy market. The projected regional energy market, including a modern natural gas network, will be essential for regional development, based on European standards, transparent rules and mutual confidence.
Concerning SEECP’s operational arm, the RCC, I would like to underline the strategic character of the SEECP-RCC synergy. The productive cooperation and effective coordination between SEECP C-i-O and RCC must continue and intensify. Regarding the implementation of the RCC Strategy and Work Program 2011-2013, the ongoing streamlining process of regional initiatives and task forces in South East Europe should remain on track.

On the key priority area of economic development, we note with satisfaction the transferring of the South East Europe Investment Committee (SEEIC) from OECD to RCC. An additional positive development is the new financial agreement signed with the European Commission, enabling the RCC to support the management of the SEEIC until the end of 2013. Further, we fully support and encourage the RCC’s efforts to widen access to financial resources for the private sector and promote integration of the capital markets in our region.

International and regional economies are intertwined. Sustainable economic development and growth should be placed high on our agenda. This way we shall make the best use of human potential and natural resources in our region, including the energy sector, for the benefit of our national economies.

We believe that the time is ripe to examine specific measures aiming at producing all-inclusive and job-creating growth. This will be done more effectively if our countries work together. Fostering economic cooperation on regional and international level is needed now more than ever.

Dear Colleagues,

We are going through difficult times; this is felt in the whole region of South Eastern Europe. The only way that we can cope is by promoting reconciliation, solidarity and cooperation.
I would like to conclude by expressing our full support and appreciation for the endeavors of the Serbian Presidency of the SEECP.