Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the

Members States of the Central European Initiative

Ohrid, 26 June 2002

Final Document

1. The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Member States of the Central European Initiative (CEI) held their annual meeting in Ohrid on 26 June 2002. The meeting was chaired by H.E. Slobodan Casule, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Macedonia which holds the CEI Presidency for the current year.

2. The meeting was attended by the Ministers of Foreign Affairs or their representatives of Albania, Austria, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Italy, Macedonia, Republic of Moldova, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Ukraine and the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. Representatives of the European Commission, the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, the Council of Europe attended the meeting in their capacity as special guests. The meeting was also attended by the representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the CEI, by the Director General of the CEI-Executive Secretariat and the Head of the Secretariat for CEI Projects.

3. The Ministers had an exchange of views on developments in the region since the CEI Summit in Trieste and their political and economic implications paying special attention to the role and activities of the CEI which they considered a valuable instrument in the efforts of enhancing stability and prosperity among Member States.

4. They endorsed the CEI overall strategy of increasing cohesion among Member States, particularly in view that some of them are preparing to join the EU in the near future.

5. They reiterated their conviction that the changing European environment would in no way diminish the significance of the work done by CEI to keep open avenues of communication or to open up new ones among the future Member States of the European Union and those countries which have no immediate perspective of accession.

6. The Ministers expressed their conviction that the CEI should continue the internal reform process in order to define areas of specific competence where future work should be focused. It should also step up its operational activities in its multiple areas of competence and reach out to those groups and institutions in Member States which exert a determining influence on the political, economic and social development of society as a whole.

The Political Situation

7. The Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the enhanced level of stability in the CEI reducing the danger of a new crisis situation. This is a promising basis to move forward in the process of integration of the region into Euro-Atlantic structures.

8. The Ministers welcomed the adherence of all countries of the region to non-violent forms of conflict settlement. They encouraged all governments to avail themselves to the greatest extent possible of the existing fora for reaching peaceful and negotiated solutions to deep-seated controversies. Peace, stability and prosperity of the region are inseparably linked to the respect of human rights, including those of minorities rights and the reestablishment of a constructive dialogue among parties faced with divisive issues.

9. The Ministers reiterated that the major threat the world faces today were terrorism and organised crime. They condemned all forms of terrorism and supported efforts aimed at combating this evil. They also emphasised the need for greater co-operation among the countries of the CEI with respect to a more efficient fight against organised crime, including corruption, illegal trafficking in arms, narcotics and human beings, that represent a major challenge for its security and stability.

10. Regarding the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia the Ministers welcomed the recent progress in the implementation of the Serbia and Montenegro Agreement, in particular the establishment of the Constitutional Commission.

The Ministers also welcomed the adoption of the law on cooperation with the ICTY by the Yugoslav Parliament. Significant progress towards the full implementation of both the Agreement and the Law on ICTY- Cooperation should favour, as soon as possible, the opening of negotiations on the conclusion of a Stabilisation and Association Agreement between the EU and the FRY as well as the admission of the FRY to the Council of Europe. As to the integration into Euro-Atlantic structures, the Ministers commended the decision of the Government of the FRY to accede to the Partnership for Peace.

The Ministers appreciated the efforts undertaken by the FRY as the presiding country of the SEECP and emphasised the importance of cooperation among regional initiatives and organisations, particularly between the SEECP and the CEI.

The Ministers agreed that the elections in Kosovo were an important step towards the establishment of provisional self-government in accordance with UN SC resolution 1244 (1999). The Ministers urged all political actors in Kosovo to contribute to the secure environment and to concentrate their efforts on enforcing the rule of law and improving the economic situation. The Ministers expressed their hope that conditions will soon permit the return of refugees and internally displaced persons.

11. The Ministers welcomed the accession of Bosnia and Herzegovina to the Council of Europe on 24 April 2002 and expressed their hope that this would bring the country decisively forward on its road to attain European standards. The Ministers fully share the priority given by the newly appointed High Representative and EU Special Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina Lord Ashdown to rule of law and economy. They also reiterated their support for the full implementation of the Dayton/Paris Agreement and for the efforts of the Council of Ministers of Bosnia and Herzegovina to that end.

12. The Ministers took note of the intention of Belarus authorities to introduce economic and institutional reforms and encouraged them to proceed resolutely towards implementing further democratic reforms in co-operation with European institutions.

The Regional Context

13. The Ministers agreed on the important role of the international community to bring about durable solutions for peace and good-neighbourly relations in the region which are the precondition for further economic and social progress. They stressed the importance of maintaining the momentum of reform processes conducive to stable democratic structures and functioning market economies able to benefit to the fullest extent from renewed intraregional co-operation as well as of attracting foreign know-how and investment.

14. The Ministers acknowledged the indispensable role of the EU as a stabilising factor in the CEI region. They emphasised the potential of the Stabilisation and Association Process for bringing the countries of South Eastern Europe into immediate touch with the on-going efforts for European integration. They noted with satisfaction the agreements signed with Macedonia and Croatia, which moved these countries closer to the European Union and confirmed their status as potential candidates and supported the opening of negotiations with other countries of the region leading to the conclusion of analogous contractual instruments.

15. The Ministers welcomed the fact that the work on the negotiating mandate for a Stabilisation and Association Agreement with Albania has been successfully concluded and a political agreement has been reached on its content. The mandate will be adopted and negotiations opened after the summer, depending on further progress on the reform agenda and political stability in the country.

16. The Ministers expressed their satisfaction at the conclusions of the General Affairs Council of the European Union which mentioned the CEI among those regional initiatives which make an important contribution to enhance regional co-operation.

17. With regard to the progress achieved by seven CEI member countries in their accession negotiations with the EU the Ministers held the view that the EU enlargement constituted a vital element in the consolidation of a durable and viable European architecture and expressed their hope that these negotiations would be completed in the near future.

18. The Ministers welcomed the EU agreement on establishing a new high-level political forum between the EU and the Stabilisation and Association Process countries – the Zagreb Process – which will provide a regular opportunity to discuss key issues of common concern.

19. The Ministers further concluded that the process of EU enlargement should uphold the dynamics of further incorporating the countries that have signed the Stabilisation and Association Agreement with the EU, as well as those who are in the process of negotiating Stabilisation and Association Agreements.

20. The Ministers emphasised the significance of the relations of Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova with the EU, and speedier implementation of their Partnership and co-operation Agreements.

The Ministers welcomed the fact that the EU following the decision of the Goteborg Council last year to invite Ukraine and Moldova to participate in the European Conference, had embarked on the debate of a “Wider Europe”. The Ministers emphasised the necessity of developing special and individual relations between the EU and Ukraine, Belarus and Moldova, in view of supporting their aspirations of European integration.

21. The Ministers took note of the intention of Moldova to join SEECP.

22. The Ministers noted that a number of CEI Member States are in different phases of the accession process to NATO and expressed their confidence that they will soon become full-fledged members of the Alliance.

23. The Ministers were aware of the crucial role played by the OSCE as well as the contribution of the Council of Europe, UNECE and the OECD in the region. In view of the existing needs the activities of such regional organisations as the Adriatic and Ionian Initiative, BSEC and SEECP and the newly established Danube Co-operation Process inaugurated in Vienna on 27 May 2002 - which is another important step to improve regional co-operation in a specific framework - are considered valuable in their own right and as complementary efforts to the CEI.

24. The Ministers welcomed the renewed efforts by the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe to step up the implementation of the programmes covered by its three Working Tables. While keeping in mind the long-term objectives of the Stability Pact, they supported the more focused approach initiated by the Special Co-ordinator and aiming at a set of priorities which would lend themselves to rapid implementation and encouraged further strengthening of co-operation between the CEI and the Stability Pact.

The CEI as an instrument for regional co-operation

25. The Ministers evaluated positively the activities of the CEI to promote and enhance regional co-operation. They re-emphasised the usefulness of the organisation in contributing to political stability, institution building and sustainable development throughout the region. They considered that the CEI offered tailor-made responses to the needs of its Member States and encouraged the CEI to continue strengthening its operational activities covering a wide variety of subjects.

26. The continued focus of the CEI on building cohesion and solidarity for a united Europe without dividing borders was strongly endorsed by the Ministers. They encouraged the CEI to concentrate its assistance in areas where it would be most beneficial to the less advanced member countries.

27. While facilitating the EU enlargement process, the CEI should continue to offer an effective framework for co-operation for all its Member States within the priorities agreed upon in its Plan of Action. It includes people-to-people contacts in border areas as well as other forms of cross-border co-operation.

28. They were supportive of the endeavours to streamline and consolidate the CEI mechanisms with the goal of concentrating available resources in fields where the organisation disposes of a clear comparative advantage.

29. The Ministers took note of the on-going efforts to improve the co-operation, and to co-ordinate the activities of the various Regional Initiatives active in the Eastern European region or certain parts thereof. They were supportive of the various measures adopted to enhance the transparency of the CEI such as the publication of a Newsletter or the circulation of documents to other organisations.

30. The Ministers expressed their satisfaction at the enhanced co-operation with the Parliamentary Dimension. The Ministers acknowledged the important role which the Parliamentary Dimension could play in advancing democratic decision making in Member States and expressed their conviction that the Parliamentary Dimension was well placed to make valuable contributions to the work of the organisation as a whole. The enhanced role of the Parliamentary Dimension was to be reflected in an amendment of the relevant paragraphs in the Guidelines and Rules of Procedure of the CEI.

31. The Ministers were supportive of the recent steps taken to integrate the Central European Chamber of Commerce Initiative more fully into the work of the Organisation. The Ministers considered that this business component of the CEI activities was an important complementary field of activity of the organisation and deserved to be encouraged. The enhanced role of the Business Dimension was to be reflected in an amendment of the relevant paragraphs in the Guidelines and Rules of Procedure of the CEI.

32. The Ministers acknowledged the importance of the CEI Working Groups as the principle instruments for demand-driven co-operation activities. They welcomed the recent steps taken to define the Terms of Reference under which the Working Groups operate and the adoption of a procedural decision by the CNC on the selection and confirmation of Working Group chairpersons.

33. The Ministers expressed their support for the intention to strengthen the role of Trieste as the seat of the CEI-ES by considerably increasing the number of meetings to be held in Trieste. They took note with satisfaction of the willingness of the central and regional authorities of Italy to improve the meeting facilities in the CEI-ES in order to offer to visiting delegates optimal working conditions.

34. The Ministers welcomed the Meeting of High Representatives of Information and Media (Belgrade, 23 May 2002) which adopted a Statement of Common Purpose emphasising the role of the media in the functioning of democratic societies and endorsing certain standards which ought to guide the relations between governments and media.

35. The Ministers welcomed the organisation of the first Conference of the CEI Ministers of Culture (Skopje, 27 June 2002) which has on its agenda the adoption a Final Declaration committing themselves to an intensified cultural co-operation among CEI member countries and to further develop the specific role of the CEI and its potential in the field of culture within the priority areas contained in the Plan of Action 2002-2003.

36. The Ministers expressed their satisfaction with regard to the creation of the CEI Co-operation Fund which will allow the CEI-ES to support co-operation activities in Member States to a higher degree than until now. They exhorted all Member States who have not yet done so to transfer their agreed contributions to the CEI-ES as soon as possible.

37. The Ministers welcomed the revised and simplified procedure for the allocation of resources. This new procedure guarantees a rapid, unbureaucratic and objective implementation of project applications by Member States. With the increased resources available to the CEI Secretariats for project financing, the CEI was henceforth equipped for a better respond to the demands of Member States in the area of technical co-operation.

38. The Ministers took note with appreciation of the results achieved in the framework of the Co-operation agreement between CEI and ICS-UNIDO. They also welcomed the joint programme adopted for the year 2002 which focused on the following priorities for research and development: sustainable industrial development in the CEI region; orientation to cross-border co-operation and sub-regional economic development; investment in environmental protection; information society as major factor of development.

39. The Ministers welcomed the confirmation, within the CEI framework, of the establishment of the Secretariat of Corridor V, which will promote transport investment projects fostering the involvement of the business community.

40. The Ministers expressed their satisfaction with the increasing role of the CEI in the economic field. This is the result of strengthening CEI structures in economic areas, the recent replenishment of the CEI Fund at the EBRD by Italy (EURO 5 million), the impact of the annual CEI Summit Economic Forum and projects and programmes managed by the Secretariat for CEI Projects at the EBRD and in Trieste.

41. They noted with satisfaction the portfolio of technical cooperation and investment projects developed by the EBRD in the CEI region, which gives a special dimension to the relationship that the CEI maintains with the EBRD since 1992. Combining the CEI Fund, contributed by Italy, with the larger investment operations of the Bank, the CEI can achieve a higher impact in its areas of economic priority.

42. In the context of the Stability Pact, the Ministers welcomed the start of the CEI investment facilitation programme for transferring know-how and best practice from one CEI country to another, in cooperation with the OECD- Investment Compact programme. The Ministers also welcomed the fact that CEI promotes the implementation of the goals and objectives of the Szeged Process.

43. The Ministers recognised the importance of the cooperation between CEI and OECD in the field of industrial districts and clusters of SMEs. This work will impact on the transition process and in the socio-economic development of certain CEI areas. In this context, the CEI-PS has funded CEI membership to the OECD-LEED programme, and a series of CEI workshops leading to a regional conference in Trieste in October which will bring together entrepreneurs and businessmen from Eastern and Western Europe.

44. The Ministers appreciated the continued cooperation, i.a. in the areas of investment promotion and entrepreneurship development, between the UNECE and the CEI supported by the CEI Fund, recently reconfirmed at the CEI-UNECE annual meeting in Geneva. A close CEI-UNECE cooperation is again envisaged for the CEI Summit Economic Forum in Skopje in November 2002. The Ministers endorsed the continuation of the micro-financing project in Albania and the wholesale markets programme supported by the CEI in co-operation with UNECE.

45. The Ministers welcomed the new CEI cooperation programme started with FAO, EBRD and the well established CEI Wholesale Markets Foundation (CWMF) under the presidency of Poland. Several technical cooperation activities will be organised for the institutional strengthening of agricultural wholesale markets in CEI member countries and for the establishment of common information and marketing systems.

46. The Ministers noted the synergy between the above mentioned projects and the CEI Summit Economic Forum in Skopje in November 2002 which has the general theme of “Investing in European Co-operation”. They expressed their appreciation to Italy for supporting the organisation of the Forum in Skopje through the CEI-PS. The Ministers felt that the Summit Economic Forum would strengthen CEI action and cooperation. They stressed the need for all CEI countries to contribute to the success of this Forum.

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47. The Ministers expressed their gratitude to the Government of the Republic of Macedonia for the excellent organisation of the Meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the CEI Member States in Ohrid.