Moldova hosts 12th SEECP summit
A meeting of the foreign ministers of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) is held in Chisinau on 4 June 2009. The event is organised in the context of a summit of heads of state and government, conducted in Chisinau under the auspices of Moldova's chairmanship at this regional organization.
High-level officials of the foreign ministries from the SEECP participating countries, representatives of the current Czech presidency at the EU Council and the future Swedish presidency, European Commission, as well as the secretary general of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) are to participate in the meeting.
The participants in the event are to tackle subjects on the progress in the South East European region in the European integration process. The participants will also discuss ways to consolidate SEECP's role as important political forum in the region, and to strengthen the cooperation with the RCC.
The participants in the meeting are to approve a string of documents which are relevant to the regional cooperation process in the South Eastern Europe.
The Republic of Moldova holds, for the first time during a year, in 2008 - 2009, the Chairmanship at the South East European Cooperation Process. It is a historical moment for the country and Moldova have assumed this chairmanship with pride and complete responsibility.
The South East European Cooperation Process is a political Forum that represents an efficient mechanism in approaching and promoting the common policies of the countries involved, as well as represents an active tool of the European Union in the region, with the aim of supporting the countries in their process of European integration.
According to Mr. Andrei Stratan,Deputy Prime Minister,Minister of Foreign Affairs and European Integration:"As SEECP Chairman, the Republic of Moldova will concentrate its efforts on the common objective of European integration of the countries from the region and will continue to implement the decisions relevant to the creation of the new regional framework in South Eastern Europe. In the process of achieving these objectives, we will look forward for successful actions and support of the regional and European partners in this sense. We express our belief that by joining our efforts and desires we will achieve the proposed objectives, for a continuous development of our region and advancement in the process of European integration. "
The South East European Co-operation Process(SEECP) was launched on Bulgaria's initiative in 1996. At the Bulgaria-chaired meeting in Sofia, the SEE countries laid the foundations for regional co-operation for the purposes of creating an atmosphere of trust, good neighbourly relations and stability.
A special characteristic of SEECP is that it is an original form of co-operation among the countries in the region launched on their own initiative, and not on the initiative of some other international organisations or countries. In that regard, the SEECP seeks to define itself as an authentic voice of SEE, complementary to the Stability Pact, SECI or the Stabilisation and Association Process.
The basic goals of regional co-operation within SEECP include the strengthening of security and political situation, intensification of economic relations and co-operation in human resources, democracy, justice, and battle against illegal activities. It is the intention of the SEECP to enable its members to approach the European and Euro-Atlantic structures through the strengthening of good neighbourly relations and transformation of the region into an area of peace and stability.
Reference:
SEECP Moldovan Chairmanship 2008-2009