22 November 2002
U.S. Commends Southeast Europe Stability Pact's Approach
(Douglas Davidson to OSCE Permanent Council) (470)
Deputy Chief of the U.S. Mission to the OSCE Douglas Davidson
commended the "forward-looking approach" demonstrated by Dr. Erhard
Busek, special coordinator of the Stability Pact for Southeastern
Europe, following Busek's address to the OSCE Permanent Council in
Vienna November 21.
Davidson encouraged continued cooperation between the Stability Pact
and the field missions of the OSCE, saying that such cooperation "can
only enhance the effectiveness of our field presences in Southeastern
Europe."
"Organizations such as the OSCE and the Stability Pact must reexamine
and revitalize their roles in the region to remain significant and
effective actors there. Clearly, Dr. Busek has already thought ahead
to address these changes," Davidson said.
The Stability Pact, which was launched in 1999, was initiated by the
European Union with strong U.S. Support and placed under the auspices
of the OSCE. It seeks to stabilize and revitalize the region by
increasing the pace of political and economic reform and expanding
cooperation among the countries of the region.
Following is Davidson's statement:
(begin transcript)
United States Mission to the OSCE
Response to the Address by the Special Coordinator of the Stability
Pact Dr. Erhard Busek
As delivered by Deputy Chief of Mission Douglas Davidson
to the Permanent Council, Vienna
November 21, 2002
Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
It is a pleasure to welcome Dr. Busek back to the Permanent Council
today. We would like to thank him for his statement as well as for his
able leadership as the Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact.
Mr. Chairman, we note the Stability Pact's significant achievements in
the areas of infrastructure development, refugee returns and the
establishment of free trade agreements.
Regional and subregional efforts, such as the Regional Crime Fighting
Center in Bucharest, are, we believe, important initiatives to
increase communication and to implement programs across borders.
We commend the Stability Pact's emphasis on regional ownership. This
is a key component in ensuring the effective implementation and the
sustainability of projects.
Dr. Busek spoke of the cooperation between the Stability Pact and the
field missions of the OSCE. We applaud this cooperation and hope that
both sides can continue to draw on each other for expertise and
support.
While, of course, we must be careful not to duplicate efforts,
cooperation between the OSCE and the Stability Pact can only enhance
the effectiveness of our field presences in Southeastern Europe.
We therefore commend Dr. Busek's forward-looking approach. The
ramifications of the enlargement of the European Union and the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization will be felt keenly in Southeastern
Europe.
Organizations such as the OSCE and the Stability Pact must reexamine
and revitalize their roles in the region to remain significant and
effective actors there. Clearly, Dr. Busek has already thought ahead
to address these changes.
In closing, Mr. Chairman, I would again like to thank Dr. Busek today
for addressing us. We look forward to continuing the cooperation
between the OSCE and the Stability Pact.
Thank you.
(end transcript)
(Distributed by the Office of International Information Programs, U.S.
Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)
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