JOINT STATEMENT OF THE MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE SOUTH EAST EUROPEAN COOPERATION PROCESS (SEECP) Tirana, May 16, 2001 Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the South East European Co-operation Process (SEECP) participating and observer countries, Mr. Paskal Milo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mrs. Ilinka Mitreva, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. George Papandreou, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Goran Svilanovic, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Milovan Blagojevic, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Cristian Diaconescu, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Marin Raykov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Yigit Alpogan, Deputy Under-Secretary and Mr. Josko Paro, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs met in Tirana on 16 May, 2001 at the annual SEECP Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the participating and observer countries of the South East European Co-operation Process (SEECP). The Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe, Mr. Bodo Hombach, UN Secretary General's Special Representative and Head of UNMIK, Mr. Hans Haekkerup also attended the meeting as special guests of the SEECP Chairman-in-Office. Ministers of Foreign Affairs, recalling their countries' commitments contained in the SEECP Summit and Ministerial Declarations and in the Charter on Good-Neighbourly Relations, Stability, Security and Co-operation in South Eastern Europe, emphasised the role of the SEECP as an important means for regional co-operation and the strengthening of peace and stability in South Eastern Europe. Ministers welcomed the fact that, for the first time in the history of the region, in all their countries they have democratically elected governments, thus creating more favourable conditions for strengthening their relations and co-operation in the SEECP framework. They welcomed in this context the restoration of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Albania and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. They reviewed in this friendly atmosphere the state of their countries co-operation in the various fields indicated in the Charter and conducted consultations on the major political and security issues of their region. Ministers reaffirmed that regional co-operation and solidarity are an important contribution to their countries' common orientation towards European integration. All SEECP countries now participate in the European integration processes. They highlighted in this context the importance of the decisions of the Zagreb Summit. They welcomed the first Stabilisation and Association Agreement signed on April 9, 2001, in Luxembourg, by the Prime Minister Ljubco Georgievski and the representatives of the EU and its member states. They also welcomed the initialling of the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the Republic of Croatia and expressed their expectation that the EU will sign soon similar agreements with other SEECP countries in line with the ongoing process. Ministers appraised the NATO's and other countries' contribution through KFOR and SFOR in building peace and stability in South Eastern Europe. They emphasised that the integration of South East European countries into European and Euro-Atlantic structures will further strengthen the security in the region. Ministers recalled their countries' commitment in the Action Plan for the Regional Economic Co-operation adopted at the Skopje Summit, to promote their countries' co-operation in the fields of justice, combat against organised crime and corruption, elimination of terrorism, illicit drugs, arms and human trafficking, through bilateral and multilateral frameworks, including the means and facilities offered by regional co-operation initiatives. They noted with interest the initiative of the Albanian Government to establish in Vlora a Regional Centre for Combating Illicit Trafficking in collaboration with some other countries, as well as the invitation extended to other countries in the region to contribute to the establishment and functioning of the Centre. Ministers considered that the meeting of the Ministers of Public Order and Internal Affairs of the SEECP countries, which will take place in Tirana, as well as the forthcoming Regional Conference in Bucharest on Combating Human Trafficking and Illegal Immigration, will provide an opportunity to enhance regional co-operation in these fields, including the examination of issues such as the strengthening of co-ordination and information capabilities between the countries and relevant institutions. Ministers, in this context, addressed as well the importance of collecting unauthorised small arms. Ministers appreciated the efforts of the Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact for South East Europe and his staff and endorsed his initiative to hold a comprehensive Regional Conference in Bucharest on 25-26 October, 2001. They welcomed the Special Co-ordinator's report on the Quick Start Project package and urged rapid implementation of all projects by donors and recipients alike. Ministers expressed their deep concern on recent developments in Tetovo and Kumanovo areas. They strongly condemned the terrorist acts threatening the security and stability of the country as well as of the region as a whole. They called on the ethnic Albanian extremist groups to cease such actions, including armed violence, release the hostages, lay down their weapons and withdraw immediately. They expressed their full support and respect for the sovereignty, territorial integrity and the inviolability of the borders of the country. They welcomed the establishment of a broad coalition government for national unity. They expressed their full support to its efforts to end the violence, in a proportionate manner, consistent with the rule of law. They expressed their hope that the new government will achieve substantial results as soon as possible on issues included in the ongoing dialogue. They welcomed in this context the establishment of the mechanism for enhanced political dialogue under the leadership of President Trajkovski, with a view to ensuring a better future for all citizens, irrespective of their ethnic origin, and consolidating interethnic relations. Ministers reaffirmed their support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and of the other states in the region, in conformity with the principles of the Helsinki Final Act. They also expressed their support for further strengthening of the democratic processes in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. They emphasised in particular respect for human and minority rights, building of democratic institutions, establishing the rule of law, pursuing reforms in all fields, and its compliance with obligations under Dayton/Paris Agreement and the UNSCR 1244, including co-operation with ICTY. Ministers welcomed the orderly manner in which parliamentary elections in Montenegro, FRY, were held. They called for the early resumption of dialogue between the federal and republican authorities, excluding unilateral actions, with a view to a redefinition of the constitutional arrangements within an overall federal framework, in accordance with democratic principles and under conditions that will enhance the regional stability. Calling for the full and consistent implementation of the UNSCR 1244 and 1345, Ministers supported UNMIK and KFOR's continuing efforts towards establishing a secure environment, enabling the return of refugees and internally displaced persons, including the efforts to confiscate arms, prevent unauthorised movements and illegal arms transfers across borders and boundaries, having also in mind their negative effect in the region. They strongly condemned the use of violence, terrorism and extremism jeopardising these efforts. They appreciated the efforts of the international community and the UN Secretary General Special Representative and Head of UNMIK to restore the multiethnic society and ensure all necessary conditions for elections in co-operation with OSCE in Kosovo, FRY, to be held on 17 November 2001. The United Nations Secretary General Special Representative informed Ministers about his decision to approve the Constitutional Framework for Interim Self-Government. Ministers welcomed this statement and emphasised that preparations should be carried out so as to enable all communities to participate in the elections, stressing that only by participation their future could be secured. Ministers emphasised the need for the early implementation of confidence building measures in Southern Serbia, FRY, aiming at integrating the ethnic Albanian population into political, economic and social structures. Ministers reiterated their support for the full implementation of the Dayton/Paris Agreement and for the efforts of the High Representative and the international institutions, as well as the Government of Bosnia and Herzegovina to that end. They also expressed their full support for sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country and condemned all acts of separatist and nationalist violence, calling on political leaders in Bosnia and Herzegovina and in other countries of the region, to do the same. Noting the progress in the return of the refugees and displaced persons, they joined the international community in emphasising the fundamental objective of safeguarding the rights of all three constituent peoples and of other communities in Bosnia and Herzegovina in a democratic framework. With a view to further enhancing good neighbourly relations in our region and building our future on friendship, mutual understanding and co-operation in our region, Ministers proposed that the Ministers of Education of the SCEEP countries proceed with a thorough study with the objective of eliminating the notion of "bad neighbours" from history textbooks, with a view to inform the next SEECP Summit Meeting in Tirana. Ministers recall that the next Summit of the Heads of State and Governments is to be held in Tirana in February 2002. They suggested the following schedule for the forthcoming regular and parallel Meetings, to be held in Tirana within the framework of SEECP, such as the Meeting of the Ministers responsible for the Energy issues, in September 2001, Meeting of the Ministers of Public Order and/or Internal Affairs, in November 2001, Meeting of the Speakers of Parliaments, in March 2002, Meeting of the Heads of Parliamentarian Foreign Affairs Commissions, in April 2002, etc. Ministers of Foreign Affairs appraised the work of the Committee of Political Directors for the preparation of the Ministerial Meeting, as well as their contribution to the institutional development of the process. Ministers expressed their gratitude for the hospitality of Mr. Paskal Milo, Minister of Foreign Affairs, for hosting the Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the participating and observer countries of the South East European Co-operation Process. Starting from 01 March 2002 the Chairman-in-Office will be Mr. Goran Svilanovic, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The Ministers agreed to hold the next annual meeting in Belgrade, within the first half of the year 2002.