Mr. Chairman,
Dear colleagues,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen, 

I would like to greet you on behalf of Montenegro. As the youngest member state, we have been dedicated from the first day to all activities within the SEECP. We respected all gatherings, at all levels. This one in particular, since as of tomorrow the smallest member, Montenegro, takes over the Chairmanship–in–Office of the SEECP from the largest member, Turkey. There is a special symbolic in this for the credibility of our Organization. Our role as the chairmanship is a great honor, but also a great responsibility. We have learnt from all of you, and I believe that with your support and assistance we will be able to fulfill our obligations in this capacity. I would like to thank our host, our friend Minister Davutoglu and Turkey for excellent organization of the meeting and extraordinary contribution to affirmation of the SEECP during the year of Turkish chairmanship.

Today, 14 years since it was founded, we can all be pleased that the SEECP confirmed itself as the widest framework and the most efficient mechanism of cooperation in our region. We can also be pleased with the progress of our countries and the region as a whole. We have improved bilateral relations, strengthened regional stability and showed that we can be an authentic regional partner to the EU. The EU Enlargement policy and the stabilization and association model proved to be the best policy and mechanism for making the great idea of united Europe come true. Euro Atlantic integration is a kind of catalyst in this process. It is of particular importance for our countries, united by these shared strategic goals, that the EU and NATO member states also belong to the SEECP. They are our role models, our friends and partners. In this context, we welcome and support the initiative of Slovenia to become a member of the SEECP. I believe this is a recognition of the results we achieved so far and a confirmation of the viability of our regional organization.

Our peoples and countries have tumultuous past. We have been united by geography, but historical circumstances often divided us. We have not been spared of this even at the turn of centuries. However, it was in the period of the SEECP existence that we have written the most honorable pages of our common history. Generations that recognize diversity as our greatest treasure have come. This is what recommends us, and what makes our path towards Europe more dynamic. For the first time in history, we may have found the formula for the Balkan rebus. I believe everyone understands today that even the most difficult problems can only be resolved through dialogue, negotiations, on a diplomatic and political level. It proves that even the problems of the Balkans can be resolved on the European model. I trust you will agree with me that one of the best examples of the progress we have all made was the referendum on independence of Montenegro, and the way in which Montenegro and Serbia resolved their relationship. Montenegro welcomes and supports all initiatives that contribute to regional stability. Turkey, our host, plays an important role in many of them. It is up to us to make use of the European chance, and of the commitment of the EU to the region. The EU–Western Balkans meeting in Sarajevo sent a clear message that Europe is counting on us. It is important to maintain the dynamics of this process through validation of individual results of each country. This meeting proved how important it is for regional cooperation when we all sit at the same table. I believe we should give due credit to all those who made that possible. The decision to grant visa–free regime for three member states of our Organization, with the expectation of similar decision for two more, strengthened the consensus on European strategic goals and promoted European values in the region. Important new signals were the decision on MAP for Bosnia and Herzegovina and the opening of the SAA ratification process for Serbia, as well as further progress of Croatia to conclude the negotiations soon. This is only a portion of good news for our countries and for the region that happened between the two meetings during the Turkish chairmanship.

In the meantime, Montenegro concluded important task of answering to the EC Questionnaire. The SAA came into force on May 1. Last week in Luxembourg we have constituted the EU–Montenegro Stabilization and Association Council. At the meeting of NAC in Brussels several days ago we have completed two–year cycle of IPAP, which enables us to draft first annual national program and launch the first cycle of MAP this fall. We have strengthened political and macroeconomic stability. Recent local elections showed high level of support to the Government’s foreign and internal policy.

I presented this data with the intention of proving we will perform our duty as the Chairman in office of the SEECP in stable conditions. At the same time, we are chairing two more important initiatives –Central European Initiative and Adriatic–Ionian Initiative. This also has its comparative advantages. We will make an effort to preserve authenticity and promote uniqueness of each.

We believe that the SEECP Chairmanship will enable us to concretize our dedication to regional cooperation and good–neighborly relations, which is our key foreign policy priority. I hope we will also be able to be a good model with our distinctive example of excellent multiethnic harmony we are proud of. We are all running our individual European race, but we want all of us to reach the same goal. We will continue excellent projects Turkey initiated and focus on coordination of all project initiatives under the SEECP political framework. We will work in particular on strengthening the role of the RCC, as the SEECP operational body, on strengthening the principle of regional ownership. We believe that, together with the Secretary General Hido Biščević and his team, we will be able to implement projects of common development interest within the strategic program till 2013, which we will approve today. These projects have infrastructural importance for the economic development, political and social stability, strengthening of cultural ties. Building transport and energy capacities and their regional dimension is in the interest of our countries and the region as a whole. Everything we do needs to be first and foremost in the interest of better life of our citizens. Strengthening institutions at national level and better regional cooperation will bring about stronger rule of law and more efficient fight against organized crime, corruption and all other problems our societies are not immune of. The Istanbul Declaration to be adopted tomorrow by the heads of states and Governments will be a clear guideline during our Chairmanship in Office.

I would like to thank Turkey once again for excellent work in chairing the Process. We believe that the sound friendship between Montenegro and Turkey will be further strengthened through the assistance Turkey will provide, especially in the beginning, but also during our Chairmanship. I hope that a year from now, when we meet in Montenegro, we will have a chance to express satisfaction with further progress of our countries and our region, and that in this time we will overcome new, more demanding phases on our course towards the EU and NATO membership. We are looking forward to seeing you in Montenegro.

Thank you.