Communiqué

On September 7, Special Coordinator Busek met with Deputy Foreign Minister Luan Hajdaraga, who is the SP National Coordinator of the Republic of Albania and was also representing the Presidency of the Regional Forum of the Migration, Asylum and Refugee Return Initiative (MARRI).

The discussion focussed on the co-operation between the Stability Pact and the MARRI Regional Forum, following the transfer of the Initiative to the region under the auspices of the SEECP.

Considering the importance of this development as a concrete step towards regional ownership and a further step towards the integration of the Western Balkan countries into Euro-Atlantic structures, the Special Coordinator reiterated that he would continue his strong political support for the issues of concern to the Regional Forum.

Albania, holding the Presidency of the Regional Forum for the first year, will be invited to keep the Stability Pact’s Regional Table informed about the Forum’s activities.

The Special Coordinator confirmed that the Stability Pact would actively participate in the meetings of the “Friends of the Regional Forum” which will provide its views and recommendations, as well as support specific activities of the Forum.

During the discussions the Special Coordinator and the Deputy Foreign Minister welcomed the progress on the establishment of the MARRI Regional Centre in Skopje, to be staffed mainly with seconded experts from the five countries and with initial financial support from several donor governments.

In order to ensure good communication and co-ordination with the activities of the Regional Forum and the Centre, the Stability Pact is assigning a Working Table III expert.

The expert will also assist the Regional Centre in seeking financial support for the activities under the responsibility of the Regional Forum.