Daniel Mitov: SEECP is a leading political format for cooperation in the region
23 May 2015 News
Minister Daniel Mitov participated in the meeting of the foreign ministers of the South-East European Cooperation Process, which was held on 22 May in Tirana as part of the concluding events of Albania's SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office. The top diplomats discussed the latest development in Southeastern Europe, as well as the opportunities for the SEECP's adaption to the current challenges facing the region in view of achieving a more effective and results-oriented cooperation.
Speaking at the forum, Minister Mitov emphasized the role of the initiative as a leading political format for cooperation in the region and a factor for security, stability and prosperity. He underscored the SEECP's importance for the EU integration of the countries from the Western Balkans. Minister Mitov noted that the 20th anniversary of the SEECP coincides with the Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office (1 July 2015- 30 June 2016). The Foreign Minister briefly presented the main priority areas of cooperation, such as energy and infrastructure connectivity, the freedom of media and of expression, migration and management of the refugee flow. Daniel Mitov underscored that Bulgaria will continue to make efforts in the priority areas as identified by the previous two chairmanships of Romania and Albania.
The participants in the SEECP foreign ministerial confirmed the re-election of Regional Cooperation Council Secretary General Goran Svilanovic for a period of three years as of 1 January 2016. The foreign ministers also adopted a Declaration of the SEECP Tirana Summit, which will be approved by the heads of state and government of the SEECP participating countries on 26 May. The declaration focused on the activities of the Albanian Chairmanship-in-Office during the past year, aimed at deepening the synergy between the SEECP and RCC, establishing regular consultations in the Troika format, the RCC and the European Union, increasing cooperation in the field of security with the adoption of the Joint Statement on Terrorism by the Foreign Ministers in February 2015. Special emphasis was placed on the forthcoming Bulgarian Chairmanship-in-Office and the Summit in Bulgaria in 2016.
More photos
