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Sofia, 25 July 1999 Joint Position on the
Implementation of The Bulgarian Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Mrs. Nadezhda Mihaylova, the Macedonian Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Aleksandar Dimitrov and the Albanian Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Mr. Paskal Milo met in Sofia on July 25, 1999. The meeting took place at the initiative of the Macedonian Foreign Minister in view of the forthcoming Stability Pact Summit on 30 July 1999 in Sarajevo. The Ministers underlined the importance of their trilateral meeting, confirming the willingness to contribute to the transition of South Eastern Europe from a geographical to a genuine part of the European continent. The Ministers reaffirming the strategic goal for integration in the European and Euro-Atlantic structures stressed that the integration of their countries in the European family will enhance peace and stability in the region and in Europe. During their first trilateral meeting the Ministers shared views on the implementation of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe proposed by the European Union and adopted by the Cologne Ministerial Conference on June 10, 1999. The Ministers confirmed their support for the principles of the Stability Pact as a new basis for the relations between the countries of the region. They asserted their belief that through its implementation, lasting stability can be achieved on the basis of comprehensive economic development of the region, fostering of security, enhancement of the democratic institutions and ethnic tolerance. The Ministers emphasized that for lasting stability to be achieved, democratization and development of civil society in the countries of the region and in particular in the FRY is essential. In this context they underlined the importance of the respect of human rights, including the rights of persons belonging to national minorities, free and independent media and civil society building. With regard to this the three Ministers welcomed the initiative of Bulgaria to host a Democracy Information Center which will promote civil society values, contacts and multiethnic dialogue and cooperation. The Ministers welcomed the proposal of the Macedonian Foreign Minister his country to host the first meeting of the Working Table 1 on democratisation. The Ministers agreed with the proposal of the Albanian Foreign Minister to work towards the abolishment of the visa regime between their countries, as well as the further liberalization of the visa regimes that the European Union has with the three countries. This will contribute to the rapid development of the economies, free communication of people and free circulation of goods. The Ministers expressed their understanding that sustainable development and stability in South Eastern Europe could be achieved only through comprehensive economic reconstruction of the whole region, giving priority to the most affected countries in the region. The economic activities of the countries in the region should be encouraged through direct foreign investments, development of trade, development of regional infrastructure - transport, energy and telecommunications - as part of the Pan-European infrastructure and participation of firms from the region in the reconstruction activities. The Ministers stressed that companies from the countries of the region should be entitled to participate on an equal basis in all project tenders. The Ministers strongly believe that projects of regional and cross-border importance should be financed within the framework of the Stability Pact. Such projects will secure more efficient connections of the region with the European infrastructure. Some of these projects which can be named Stability Pact Relevant projects, are the following:
The implementation of the above-mentioned projects is of importance for several countries of the region and for the establishment of direct links with the European infrastructure. The Ministers supported the reestablishment of the free movement along all Pan-European transport corridors passing through the region of South Eastern Europe. The Ministers stressed the importance of the facilitation of the cross border check points, conclusion of free trade agreements, establishment of free trade zones and developing programs for revitalization of small and medium size enterprises. The Ministers stressed the need the EU to create a concrete fund in order to meet the urgent needs of the most affected countries of the region. The three Ministers believe that each country of the region should establish an Investment Fund for financing of infrastructure projects implemented in the country, whereby the Fund’s resources would be accumulated from the payments of the respective country’s financial obligations to the Paris Club and other creditors. The Fund will be managed with the active participation of the creditors in defining the projects, in close cooperation with the respective country. In case of co-financing of a certain project, the financing of the Fund will have a multiple effect through mobilizing additional investments from other sources as well. The Ministers propose the EU to establish a special regional facility providing financial resources for projects in the countries of the region, similar to the catch-up facilities. The Ministers consider that providing of Governmental guarantees for the foreign investments in the region will facilitate the mobilizing of such investments and the accelerated commencement of implementation of priority projects of the Stability Pact. The three Ministers welcomed the decision of the European union to set up the European Agency for reconstruction and called for the soonest possible commencement of its activities. They shared the view that the Pact of Stability should aim at the economic reconstruction of the whole region and therefore the Agency should open offices in all countries of South Eastern Europe and in particular in their three countries. The Ministers welcomed the proposal of the Albanian Foreign Minister his country to host the first meeting of the Working Table 2 on economic reconstruction. The three Ministers paid a special attention to issues of regional stability and security in view of the positive outcome of the Kosovo crisis. They confirmed the support of their countries for the full implementation of UN SC Resolution 1244 and for the KFOR peace-keeping operation in Kosovo and their countries’ contribution to its goals by providing logistic facilities along the entire route of the KFOR units. The three Ministers consider the continuation of the AFOR mission in Albania and the NATO presence in the Republic of Macedonia to be of considerable importance for the stability and security in the region. The Ministers agreed that substantial steps for strengthening regional stability should be undertaken in the framework of the Stability Pact. The Ministers shared the opinion that NATO and the Euroatlantic Partnership Council (EAPC) should be involved very closely in the work of its Working Table 3 on security issues. The Ministers welcomed the proposal of the Bulgarian Foreign Minister her country to host and chair the first of its meetings. The three Ministers welcomed the establishment of the Multinational Peacekeeping Force/South Eastern Europe and the forthcoming opening of its Headquarters in Plovdiv, Bulgaria in September 1999 as a contribution to the security dimension of the Pact of Stability. The Ministers decided to reinforce the cooperation in the field of combating organized crime, corruption, terrorism and all forms of illegal activities and took note of the Macedonian proposal to host a regional consultative and educational Center to that end. The three Ministers of Foreign Àffairs agreed to present their joint position on the implementation of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe at the Sarajevo Summit on July 30, 1999. The Ministers confirmed the significance of their first trilateral meeting and agreed to hold such meetings in the future on a regular basis, the next being in Albania. Sofia, 25 July 1999 |
MEETING
OF THE MINISTERS OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS OF THE REPUBLIC OF BULGARIA, THE REPUBLIC OF MACEDONIA
AND THE REPUBLIC OF ALBANIA