Minister Vigenin: We should enhance SEECP effectiveness through project-oriented cooperation
18 February 2014 News
For almost two decades, the South-East European Cooperation Process has proven its outstanding significance for the promotion of security, stability and prosperity in the region.However, there are new challenges, which we should tackle in order to ensure further development of our regional cooperation, said Minister Kristian Vigenin in his statement at the informal meeting of the SEECP Ministers of Foreign Affairs, which is held today in Bucharest.
Bulgaria firmly believes that the countries from the region have the potential and capacity to successfully enhance SEECP effectiveness, mainly through emphasizing on the project-oriented cooperation. It is important to focus on areas where tangible progress is achievable, Minister Vigenin said. As possible areas of cooperation he identified justice and home affairs, as well as economy, tourism, road and energy infrastructure, which are crucial for the economic recovery of SEE.
In his statement Minister Vigenin emphasized the importance of strengthening the interaction between SEECP and other international and regional organizations and institutions, with priority on the European Union. As another option for fruitful cooperation he identified the creation of synergy between SEECP and other formats of regional cooperation such as the EU Strategy for the Danube Region and the Black Sea Economic Cooperation. “It would additionally contribute to the economic prosperity and the political stability of SEE and would increase the visibility of SEECP activities,” the Minister of Foreign Affairs said.
As far as Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) is concerned, Kristian Vigenin pointed out that its foremost role should be to identify the main needs in the region, to search for opportunities for cooperation between SEE states and to promote concrete projects to their benefit. Building stronger partnership between RCC-SEECP-EU is of major importance because attracting EU funds and using the Instrument for Pre-accession Assistance (IPA) program would have significant positive effect in the whole region, he said.
As its initiator and active participant, Bulgaria considers the SEECP Parliamentary Dimension as an important factor for enhancing the stability and cooperation in the region, Minister Vigenin pointed out. We rely on the support for the concept submitted by the Bulgarian National Assembly for transforming the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Cooperation in Sofia into a Permanent Secretariat of the Parliamentary Assembly, which is scheduled to take place on 9-11 May 2014, he said in conclusion.