Home | Databases | WorldLII | Search | Feedback Edited Legal Collections Data

Busek, Erhard --- "South-East Europe on the way to Euro-Atlantic integration" [2005] ELECD 377; in Liebscher, Klaus; Christl, Josef; Mooslechner, Peter; Ritzberger-Grünwald, Doris (eds), "European Economic Integration and South-East Europe" (Edward Elgar Publishing, 2005)

Book Title: European Economic Integration and South-East Europe

Editor(s): Liebscher, Klaus; Christl, Josef; Mooslechner, Peter; Ritzberger-Grünwald, Doris

Publisher: Edward Elgar Publishing

ISBN (hard cover): 9781845425173

Section: Chapter 2

Section Title: South-East Europe on the way to Euro-Atlantic integration

Author(s): Busek, Erhard

Number of pages: 9

Extract:

2. South-East Europe on the way
to Euro­Atlantic integration
Erhard Busek

The Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe ­ which was established at the
EU's initiative in Sarajevo in July 1999 ­ and the Southeast European
Cooperative Initiative ­ which was launched in December 1996 as a regional
initiative by the United States to back the implementation of the Dayton
Agreement ­ have both been success stories.
Of course, there have been shortcomings, but what is more important is
that we have achieved a lot. Following four wars in the region, the map of
South-East Europe has been redrawn substantially and improvements have
been brought about in a comparatively short time. Today, many ministerial
meetings convene former opponents in war. I think this is an impressive
development despite the fact that we still have to wait for full reconciliation
to take place. That is of course the ultimate objective.
But I think things are moving in the right direction. My message is the
following: Let's focus on the positive developments!
What has been achieved in South-East Europe over the past decade?
Firstly, the process of democratization is certainly irreversible. All the
elections are monitored by the Organization for Security and Cooperation
in Europe and are conducted in a free and fair manner. But some uncer-
tainties still exist of course; for instance, the party landscape has not
reached a consolidation phase, it is moving, similarly to other European
countries.
Secondly, the region was given a clear European perspective ...