I GENERAL

Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe (SP SEE) is a broad-based international political initiative aimed at enhancing cooperation between the countries of the South Eastern Europe. The Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe was established at the Sarajevo Summit on 30 July 1999.

The Stability Pact is based on the definition of “security” in a broader sense, with the objective to ensure human security that will comprise not only the traditional security-and-defence point of view but also social and economic security and welfare. Organisationally, the Stability Pact is designed as a Regional Table comprising three Working Tables: Democratisation and Human Rights, Economic Reconstruction and Development, and Security Issues.

Apart from the 8 recipients (all states of the former Yugoslavia (except Slovenia) and Albania, Moldova, Bulgaria and Romania) the Stability Pact includes donor countries (members of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Japan, USA, Canada and Russia), international organisations (among others the EU, NATO, OSCE, CoE) as well as international financial institutions (EBRD, IMF, the World Bank etc.). The Stability Pact is an important mechanism of transatlantic cooperation, attributing a significant role also to the USA (deputy Special Coordinator is always a representative of the USA).

The 35 collaborators of the SP Secretariat are located in Brussels. There are some 20 diplomats working in the Secretariat, seconded by donors and recipients as well as international organisations. The one year mandate of the Special Coordinator is confirmed or prolonged every autumn at the GAERC meeting. The Working Tables are divided into 27 Task Forces, located either in the SEE region or in donor countries. The Task Forces carry out their programmes and projects in close cooperation and coordination with their colleagues in Brussels. The Stability Pact is currently chaired by the Special Coordinator Dr Erhard Busek.

At the European Union Summit in Thessaloniki (20-21 June 2003) the heads of state or government of the EU, the acceding countries and the SEE countries confirmed and underlined the significance of the complementary role the Stability Pact plays with relation to the stabilisation and association process in SEE. Regional cooperation in these areas is of utmost importance in finding solutions to shared challenges of the SEE countries as well as in fulfilling the Copenhagen criteria.

II SLOVENIA’S ROLE IN THE STABILITY PACT

Slovenia’s activities in the Stability Pact for SEE are led by a national coordinator at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and coordinated and planned by an interministerial working group including representatives from the ministries and government offices.

2.1 WORKING TABLE ON DEMOCRATISATION AND HUMAN RIGHTS (WT 1)

In the field of democratisation and human rights the following projects are currently being carried out:

Linking up of COBISS (Cooperative Online Bibliographic System and Service) library information systems, carried out by the Information Technology Institute. To date, information systems for libraries in Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia and Serbia and Montenegro have been put in place. For more information see www.cobiss.net.

The Education for Democratic Citizenship Project – From Policy to Effective Practice and the Network for Cooperation in Education in SEE, within which the Ministry of Education, Science and Sport is carrying out the “Expert Days” project (41 expert days in 2003, 170 expert days in 2004).

The Office for Youth co-finances the activities of non-governmental organisations in projects of international youth work in SEE countries, and carries out the Training Programme for Youth Leaders from SEE Countries. The project is being implemented in cooperation with the European Commission and the SEE Youth Resource Centre.

Slovenian institutions are directly engaged in various activities of the SP SEE, usually in cooperation with international organisations. Slovenian Institute for Adult Education is very actively involved in an adult education project for SEE, led by a German institute. Other public institutes (Centre of the Republic of Slovenia for Vocational Education and Training, Headship School etc.) in cooperation with international institutions, e.g. the European Training Foundation, carry out different activities.

The Office for Equal Opportunities is active within the Working Group for Gender Equality, chaired by the Slovenian representative Ms Sonja Lokar. There are two Slovenian members in the advisory committee of the Working Group. The Republic of Slovenia is also engaged in establishing national mechanisms for gender equality policy, and setting up relevant legislation and other measures in this area. For more information on the working group for gender equality see www.gtf.hr..

2.2 WORKING TABLE ON ECONOMIC RECONSTRUCTION AND DEVELOPMENT (WT 2)

With the aim to implement the Strategy for the participation of the Republic of Slovenia in economic reconstruction of SE Europe, the Ministry of Economy has concluded agreements with relevant Slovenian institutions with regard to the implementation of the Stability Pact programme. In this way the Ministry of the Economy co-financed the implementation of projects and financed technical assistance, thus awarding non-repayable funds to the beneficiaries. The programmes of technical and development assistance include training for business persons and representatives of state administrations and public institutions, lectures given by Slovenian experts in SEE countries, as well as the promotion of Slovenian economy in South Eastern Europe.

In cooperation with the Ministry of the Economy the Ljubljana Stock Exchange has set up an internet portal aimed at connecting stock exchanges in South Eastern Europe. Eight stock exchanges from the territory of former Yugoslavia are currently linked up into a unique information system. For more information on SEE stock exchange connecting see: www.sem-on.net.

The Small Business Development Centre (PCMG) carries out projects in the area of small and medium sized enterprises. Various projects are under way in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia and Montenegro and Macedonia.

The Centre of Excellence in Finance provides training for financial experts and public officers from all Stability Pact beneficiaries. Several workshops have been organised in thematic areas such as public finance reforms, budget and treasury system, the role and significance of public accounting, payment transactions reform, and the issues concerning hidden economy. Several seminars also took place intended for ministries of finance. During 2004, the Centre, in cooperation with the participating countries (Albania, Croatia and Slovenia), has been carrying on the 5-year pilot project aimed at implementing a training system for public accounting officers, for which donations have been obtained from the World Bank as well as British and Irish governments. For more information on the Centre of Excellence in Finance see www.cef-see.org.

2.3 ACTIVITIES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA WITHIN THE WORKING TABLE FOR SECURITY ISSUES (WT 3)

Chairmanship of the Working Table for Security Issues

Ambassador Janez Premože is the Chairman of the Working Table 3, consisting of the Sub-Table for Defence and Security Issues and the Sub-Table for Justice and Home Affairs. The current priority issues within the WT 3 are the fight against organised crime and corruption as well as migrations.

A declaration "on a Joint Campaign to Fight Organized Crime and Corruption" was adopted at the session of ministers of the interior and justice of the SEECP countries, held in Bucharest on 17-18 May 2004. The campaign envisages implementation of the Thessaloniki agenda - above all, the Palermo convention - in the fight against organised crime and corruption and the adoption of the European legislation in this area. The Stability Pact and the SECI Centre will provide assistance through their mechanisms (SPOC, Police Forum, Task Force on Trafficking in Human Beings, etc.) to the SEE countries in the implementation of the adopted commitments.

The Migrations, Asylum and Refugees Regional Initiative (MARRI) is the second priority issue within WT 3. It is based on an integral approach to the issue of migrations. Preparations are underway to establish a MARRI regional centre in Skopje, in accordance with the principle of regional ownership and transfer of responsibilities to the region. The centre will become fully operative in early 2005.

Other key priorities within the WT 3 are the reform of the defence sector (including reintegration of soldiers into civil professions and restructuring of the defence industry), the Ohrid Process for Border Management and Security and the fight against trafficking in human beings. For more information see www.stabilitypact.org/wt3/.

In relation to the reform of the defence sector, Slovenia participates actively within the Regional Arms Control Verification and Implementation Assistance Centre (RACVIAC) in Zagreb, where a security dialogue among the SEE Countries is regularly underway and thus contributes to an efficient implementation of the existing agreements on arms control and to the implementation of measures to establish confidence and security in the region. Slovenia seconded one representative to the RACVIAC Centre. For more information see www.racviac.org.

As part of the Stability Pact’s Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative (www.dppi.info.) Slovenia signed the Declaration on Co-operation in Disaster Preparedness and Prevention for South Eastern Europe in Bucharest in June 2002. The work within the DPPI initiative takes place on a project basis. The projects are being coordinated by the countries in the region and receive financial support from donors. The projects already underway within the DPPI include:

Disaster Management Training for South East Europe - DMTP

Joint Fire Fighting Unit - JFFU

Seismological Network for SEE. (Sufficient funds have not yet been allocated for the implementation of this project).

Slovenia and Croatia jointly carry out the Disaster Management Training for South East Europe Project. 24 courses have been held to date with a total of 600 participants. Within the Crisis Management in Europe Project, a three-day seminar took place in Poljče in March 2004. Click here to see the film featuring a rescue action and clips from the conference:

Slovenia hosted the International Conference on the Fight against Illegal Trafficking in Stolen Vehicles, where the SEE Countries committed to adopt national action plans to combat illegal trafficking in stolen vehicles. In autumn 2004, a conference to review the countries' progress in this area is expected to take place in Slovenia.

2.4 PARTICIPATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA WITHIN THE STABILITY PACT INITIATIVES

Slovenia is actively engaged in several initiatives and processes of horizontal cooperation: the Social Cohesion Initiative, the Business Advisory Council, the SEE Education Reform Initiative, the Disaster Preparedness and Prevention Initiative, the Ohrid Process for Border Management and Security, the Regional Energy Market and the Sava Basin Initiative.

Regional Energy Market

Slovenia advocates the liberalisation of the energy and gas markets in South Eastern Europe. For this reason, Slovenia joined, as an observer, the Memorandum of Understanding aimed at liberalising electricity and gas markets in SEE by 2005. After Slovenia's joining the EU, its status became equivalent to that of Austria, Italy and Greece, the three countries being politically involved in the process. Slovenia supports the endeavours of the EU for the Memoranda, that is non-binding political papers, to become binding agreements with SEE countries. Recently, Slovenia informally notified its intention to expand its electricity market (BORZEN) to the regional level that would provide the possibility of trade also to players from SEE countries.

For more information on the SEE energy market see: www.stabilitypact.org/energy/default.asp.

The Sava Basin Initiative

In Kranjska Gora, on 3 December 2002, Slovenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia and Montenegro signed the Framework Agreement on the Sava River Basin and the Protocol on the navigation regime. This is the first multilateral agreement signed between the countries of the former Yugoslavia not dealing with issues of common past but rather with future-oriented issues of common interest. For this reason, it has a special significance, above all in terms of promoting cooperation in other areas as well.

The Agreement regulates the navigation regime, economic development, integral water management and environment protection of the Sava River Basin. The inclusion of the Sava River into modern Europe's system of navigational routes will provide opportunities for economic development and attract foreign investments. In addition, it will contribute to an all-round strengthening of relations and cooperation among the signatories.

The Agreement is in the process of ratification in all four members. It was agreed by the member states that Zagreb would be the Permanent Seat of the Sava Commission, while the Republic of Slovenia is the depositary of Treaties. Slovenia has already ratified the Agreement, which entered into force in July 2004. The Sava Basin Initiative is a good example of regional ownership and represents a major economic and investment potential. Slovenia is interested in a speedy beginning of work of the Sava Commission in Zagreb and favours implementation of the projects within the Sava River Action Plan as soon as practicable. The support by the international community to the Action Plan projects will send a positive signal to the SEE countries to expand cooperation to other horizontal areas.

The Social Cohesion Initiative

Slovenia joined theSocial Cohesion Initiative in 2001. Slovenia has been especially active in areas of health and social protection both as a donor and as a knowledge provider. In 2002, the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Slovenia became actively involved in the SEE Health Network, carried out by the WHO under the auspices of the Stability Pact.

ACTIVITIES OF THE REPUBLIC OF SLOVENIA WITHIN THE SOUTHEAST EUROPEAN COOPERATIVE INITIATIVE (SECI)

The Southeast European Cooperative Initiative (SECI) was launched by the USA in December 1996. The purpose of the SECI was to provide an additional catalyst for the all-round endeavours of the international community to achieve stabilisation of South Eastern Europe, enhance regional cooperation and facilitate the participating countries' adaptation to European standards and structures.

On 6 September 2000, the National Assembly of the Republic of Slovenia ratified the Agreement on Cooperation for Preventing and Combating Trans-border Crime. In November 2002, the Republic of Slovenia seconded its representative (a liaison officer) for a period of four years.

The European Commission reviews the work of the SECI Centre. Its revision comprises three SECI member states. Slovenia is also one of the countries that underwent revision. The assessment by the European Commission will provide the groundwork for future cooperation with the SECI Centre.

For more information see www.secicenter.org.

For additional information please call:

National Coordinator for the Stability Pact and SECI Janez Premože, DPS

Tel.: +386 (0)1 478 2152

Fax: +386 (0)1 478 2139

Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe

Rue Wiertz, 50

B-1050 Brussels (Belgium)

Tel.: +32 (0)2 401 8700

Fax: +32 (0)2 401 8712

E-mail: scsp(at)stabilitypact.org

Webpage: www.stabilitypact.org