Statement by Dr. Ernst Petric, State Secretary at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Slovenia

It is my honour to address this eminent gathering, participants in the Stability Pact.

I would like to express my thanks to the European Commission and the World Bank as the chief organisers of this Conference, which is of vital importance for the implementation of the Stability Pact objectives.

This meeting offers an excellent opportunity for the Stability Pact partner states to provide their support for the democratisation and development of South Eastern Europe, and for the countries of South Eastern Europe to reaffirm their commitment to political and economic reforms and to report on the envisaged measures to this end.

Slovenia, as a democratic and politically stable Central European country, participates to the best of its abilities in the strengthening of positive political and economic processes in South Eastern Europe and regards the Stability Pact as an effective mechanism to accelerate these processes.

In the negotiations with the EU, Slovenia is expeditiously carrying out reforms, which are a component part of the accession process of our country, with the objective of becoming as soon as possible a member of this Union.

Slovenia has some comparative advantages in cooperation with a large part of SE European countries - knowledge of the languages and culture, socio-historical circumstances, well-developed relationships and business contacts which result in developed economic cooperation (the portion of Slovenian exports to this region amounts to 16%, while the share of Slovenian investments abroad amounts to 70%).

The envisaged donor funds provided by Slovenia for 2000

The Government of the Republic of Slovenia earmarked DEM 7.6 million for Slovenia’s activities within the Stability Pact in its 2000 budget. The reserved donor funds from the remaining Slovenian organisations and companies for assistance in South Eastern Europe amount to DEM 2.5 million. The total envisaged donor funds for the current year accordingly amount to DEM 10.1 million.

The Republic of Slovenia has in the recent years implemented a series of economic programmes of cooperation and assistance to countries of South Eastern Europe, mainly at the bilateral level. Within the framework of the Stability Pact, it is drawing up special programmes and projects.

The Slovenian Government also supports the Investment Compact implementation.

In co-operation with the OECD, Slovenia will organise in April a Conference of Ministers of Development. On the basis of achievements of Slovenia, the Conference will seek to answer questions as to how to assist the countries of South Eastern Europe in the process of transition to market economy.

Slovenia is interested in strengthening of economic cooperation and trade links between the countries of South Eastern Europe and will strive to remove trade barriers between them.

It exercises free-trade agreements with some of these countries which significantly contribute to their self-sustainable development. We are positive that EU appreciates our efforts which are fully compatible with the aims of the Stability Pact. The co-operation of Slovenia with the countries beneficiaries of the Stability Pact is already well established in the field of European affairs.

In December 1999, the Government of the Republic of Slovenia adopted the Strategy of Slovenia’s integration into the economic reconstruction of South Eastern Europe. In accordance with this year’s programme of assistance, Slovenia will implement programmes of education and training, scholarships, assistance in the formation of state institutions and public services (statistics, customs, etc.) and other projects for which we hope to receive the support of international institutions (e.g. the Bosnia and Herzegovina stock exchange project and the project of development of small and medium-size enterprises). Bosnia and Herzegovina (including the Republika Srpska), Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo will be included in this year’s programme.

In the past years Slovenia has provided humanitarian assistance to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, Macedonia, Montenegro and Albania, and has sheltered and provided for a large number of refugees from the countries of former Yugoslavia.

Slovenia supports the approach of the Stability Pact, according to which the success of economic reconstruction and development of the South Eastern European countries is subject to the simultaneous carrying out of political reforms, democratisation and endeavours to ensure the respect for human rights. For the Stability Pact to be successful, all the participants must fulfil their part of the obligations to which they have committed themselves. Such development will accelerate the integration of the countries of South Eastern Europe into the EU and other international structures. To put it quite simply: when the developed European countries come to South Eastern Europe, when European values and standards are respected there, South Eastern Europe will become an integral part of Europe.

Democratisation and human rights are an extremely sensitive and complex area. In this area, no major success may be achieved in a short period of time. Therefore, immediate action must be taken, and the examples of good practices and good processes in interethnic relations must be followed, as they already exist in certain environments.

From the very beginning, Slovenia was actively involved in the activities of WT 1 and took over the sponsorship of the Task Force on Human Rights and Minorities.

It has also assumed an active role in other task forces (e.g. on education, good governance and media).

In the last half of the year it organised three international meetings, among which I would just mention the recent Conference on Inter-ethnic Relations and National Minorities in South Eastern Europe which was held in Portorož. The participants reaffirmed that co-existence among ethnic communities is the key to stabilisation of the situation in South Eastern Europe.

A Joint Declaration and a Framework Programme of Action were adopted and the participants expressed their support for the list of follow-up projects that had been submitted to the Office of the Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact. A quick-start package of projects and programmes will be launched this year in the countries of South Eastern Europe under the direction of the Council of Europe, in various areas and at different levels. Their common aim is to promote the concept of multi-ethnic society and democratic citizenship.

Slovenia constructively participates in the Working Table on Security Issues.

In this area the most successful Slovenian project is the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance in Bosnia and Herzegovina (ITF), which last year expanded its activity to Croatia, and more recently to Kosovo. The Fund is functioning smoothly thanks to donations provided by the US Government and by other countries and organisations. We hope that in view of its efficient work, the donors will continue to support the activities of the Fund.

Slovenia supports the realisation of the Anti-corruption initiative adopted at the meeting of WT 3 in Sarajevo. In this connection, I would like to stress that the Republic of Slovenia has already harmonised its legislation with the European Union acquis in the area of the prevention of corruption, and has enacted the provisions of the acquis by relevant laws.

What poses a special problem is the absence of the FRY in the Stability Pact process. Its full integration into the international community and participation in the activities of the Stability Pact will only be possible when democratic changes occur in Serbia. Ever since the Stability Pact was first devised, Slovenia has supported the participation of Montenegro and has established good cooperation with this republic and also provides technical assistance. In addition, Slovenia supports participation of the Serbian opposition forces in the Stability Pact.

In conclusion may I express my hope that the projects which have been endorsed at the preceding political and expert meetings within the Stability Pact will gain full support at this conference.

Thank you for your attention.