Statement by Ms. Mette Kjuel Nielsen,
Director, Eastern Affairs Department, 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Denmark

Allow me first of all to extend my thanks to the Romanian Government for its readiness to host this Conference and to the organizers, The European Commission, The World Bank and the Special Coordinator for their important work in preparing our deliberations.

I would also like to associate myself fully with the remarks made earlier today by the Presidency of the European Union.

Mr. Chairman, we are gathering at a time where the international community is facing extremely serious problems following the tragic events in the United States on September 11. These problems have their own crucial bearing on all aspects of international cooperation and should also influence our work in the organs of the Stability Pact, especially under Working Table 3. With this in our minds we should confidently continue our endeavours towards the development of a sound basis for a stable, democratic and a more prosperous South East Europe.

The Stability Pact has over the last two and a half years increasingly played an important role in urging and facilitating regional co-operation. It is a unique framework, which unites all the key players inside and out side the region. It has been a useful framework for a broad variety of projects from Governmental to NGO level. The Stability Pact has been a catalyst for increased dialogue, co-operation and cross-border contacts at all levels. It has been a slow process but we are beginning to see encouraging trends.

The adoption of the Quick Start Package at the first regional Conference in Brussels in March 2000 was a tangible step in the right direction. Then, unfortunately, a period of a disappointment and some frustration occurred, - perhaps due to too high expectations in some member countries. But lately a positive development towards a more realistic approach to the Pact and increased regional participation and cooperation has taken place. Denmark welcomes this development.

The new focus and the more precise priorities of the work of the Stability Pact that were defined during the Regional Table on June 28 gave a very positive contribution to the streamlining of the Pact. A key element in this is to ensure maximum coordination with the activities under the Stabilisation and Association Process of the European Union ands its CARDS programme.

Enhanced regional cooperation in South East Europe lies at the heart of the Pact. The Memorandum of Understanding from June 27 between the countries of the region outlining the road to the conclusion of free trade arrangements to be entered into force by the end of 2002 is a welcome example. As is the new attention given to the creation of a sound environment for private investments, to anti-corruption initiatives and to fighting cross-border crimes.

In conclusion, Mr. Chairman,

The Stability Pact is among the important tools designed to contribute to the creation of a stable and prosperous whole of Europe. Looking to the future, the decade of tragic and dramatic events following the end of the cold war should be put behind us. Tremendous time, efforts and resources are focused on assisting the peoples of South East Europe. Local ownership in this process is crucial. Regional co-operation is the tool. We all share a responsibility for enforcing and strengthening the Stability Pact so that it can prove itself as a suitable and well functioning tool for the achievement of this historical goal.