Vucin's Thaci backs declaration of common European future

At the end of the SEECP and Dubrovnik Summit, which were held in the Croatian city, the leaders -- the Kosovo, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia -- issued a joint declaration through which they pledge to support the efforts of each aspiring state on their European path to Europe.

In this statement, which has provided the newspaper “Voice”, it is specified among other things that all states of the region will without exception support each other in meeting the criteria and conditions that have been set for them, including good inter-side relations.

Region pledges regional co-operation, democratic processes
In the joint statement issued by all countries participating in the SEECP Summit, where Kosovo President Hashim Thaci and Serbia President Aleksandar Vuciq were also the president of Kosovo, Aleksandar Vuciq, they pledge their commitment to uphold the fundamental principles of the SEECP Charter, the UN Charter, relevant EU, OSCE and Council of Europe. On these principles and by repeating the importance of regional co-operation in Southeast Europe, the countries of the region confirm their commitment to comprehensive regional co-operation on the basis of strengthening democratic processes and rule of law.

“We firmly believe in the common European future. The European Union project has proved to be the most successful and efficient guarantee of peace, stability and prosperity in the history of the continent. We stress the importance of maintaining strong EU principles, such as equality, openness, solidarity and inclusion”, the joint declaration of leaders of Southeast European states says. Furthermore, the declaration also expresses the country's pledge to implement necessary reforms, as well as to maintain peace, stability and long-term security in the region. “We are convinced that European integration will not be complete until all SEECP participants become part of the EU. Maintaining the moment of continued expansion and commitment to reform is crucial to the credibility of enlargement policy, based on strict but fair conditions, including regional co-operation and good neighbourly relations, as well as the principle of its merit”, the statement said.

In this regard, they pledge: “We remain dedicated to supporting the aspiring efforts on their path to membership in Europe until they meet the criteria and conditions they have been imposed, including good inter-sident relations”, another part of this statement quoted.
Together Against Terrorism Threats
“We desperately and bitterly testify that terrorism and violent extremism continue to pose great threats to peace, security and stability, as well as to overall economic and social prosperity and the development of our societies”, said at the beginning of the part in which the forces are talked about fighting terrorism and extremism. “We strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations everywhere and by whoever has committed and reaffirmed our commitment to intensify co-operation in preventing and combating terrorism, violent extremism, radicalism, and all forms of organised crime. We decide to invest our best efforts in building a stable network for co-operation and exchange of information to effectively combat threats of terrorism and radicalism in the region, the statement further says.

Illegal immigration challenges, economic growth
Illegal migration is another issue on which regional leaders have agreed to join forces to fight. “We are convinced that the challenges of irregular immigration require stronger co-operation among all SEECP participants. A common approach, based on co-operation and dialogue, is necessary to address immigration challenges”, the statement said. As for economic development, leaders say convinced that economic interconnection among SEECP participants and developing ties with the EU market are the keys to economic growth and sustainable development of Southeast Europe.

This is especially true in the fields of energy production and transport. We will co-operate with the aim of boosting energy connections in the region, further developing the necessary infrastructure, allowing a reliable supply of energy from a different range of suppliers at a competitive price of”, the communiqué says. And meeting and easing conditions for investors will be one of the priorities of countries like Kosovo, Serbia, Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia. “