RCC Secretary General hails messages of EU-Western Balkans meeting in Sarajevo, and new era of regional relations
02 June 2010
Hido Biscevic, Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council. (Photo/Europe by Satellite)
SARAJEVO – “The Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) strongly supports political meetings, statements and decisions that lead to a new era of relations in South East Europe, based on trust, dialogue and tolerance”, said RCC Secretary General, Hido Biscevic, at today’s high level EU-Western Balkans meeting in Sarajevo, organized by the Spanish Presidency with the support of the EU.
Biscevic pointed out that the Sarajevo meeting gave an important new impetus to a stronger regional cooperation and EU enlargement policy for all the aspiring countries in Western Balkans.
“I firmly believe that this new window of opportunity will create a circle of hope and progress in our region. As we mark the 10th anniversary of the Zagreb Summit today, we should all look ten years ahead and work to see our region fully embraced in Europe, with a new profile, based on a brave vision of trust, coexistence and harmony, free from old stereotypes and doubt.”
“Such a political perspective is crucial for continuation of European and Euro-Atlantic integration, particularly against the backdrop of global economic and financial crisis, and generally unfavourable circumstances affecting South East Europe”.
The RCC Secretary General reminded that the EU-Western Balkans event was held in a period marked by political rapprochement of the countries burdened by tragic events and divisions of the recent past. He also highlighted the role the RCC can play in this context.
“Following today’s event and the forthcoming RCC Annual Meeting and Summit of Heads of State or Government of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) in Istanbul on 22-23 June 2010, I expect the RCC to emerge as a strengthened regionally-owned cooperation platform at a disposal of the countries of the region for their more vigorous use in the future.”
Secretary General Biscevic appreciated the statement by the chair of the high level EU-Western Balkans meeting affirming the work of the Regional Cooperation Council as a significant step towards inclusiveness and regional ownership, and underlying the importance of the new three-year RCC strategy to be endorsed by the Istanbul SEECP Summit.