Distinguished Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

On behalf of the Turkish Chairmanship-in-Office of the Southeast European Cooperation Process (SEECP), I would like to welcome you all in Turkey on the occasion of the Ministerial Meeting of the SEECP Summit.

It is a distinct honor and pleasure for me to be able to host this Meeting and to address you in this multifaceted city of İstanbul with also its Balkan identity.

I always say to my colleagues from the Balkan countries that they should feel at home in Turkey. Actually, that is exactly how I feel when I visit your countries.

Dear Colleagues,

Periodical meetings as such give us the opportunity take stock of what we have achieved in the past and what is to be done for the future. Therefore, I believe our sincere talks and deliberations today will shed light on the course of our joint efforts towards the bright future of our common home, the Balkans.

It has been 14 years since the SEECP was created. Much has happened since then. As individual countries and as institution, we went through a transition and adaptation period. Political climate in the Balkans has substantially altered. Despite that we are still talking about the conditions of lasting peace and stability in the region, we are far from the dark days of 90s. This must be a great source of satisfaction. Our priorities have also changed. Integration with the European and Euro-Atlantic structures has become the primary objective of our nations. What is more is that there exists overwhelming public support to this end. The political rhetoric, mentality and the standards have changed, too. We all take now democracy, rule of law, human rights and cultural pluralism as points of reference. We learned how to draw lessons from globalization and continue to do so. The structure of the membership has also changed. We gained new members within the SEECP.

At the final analysis, our conclusion is that the SEECP has become mature and steadfast enough to impose itself as the unique platform to discuss the destiny of our region with a view to displaying greater solidarity and materializing full integration.

Dear Colleagues,

Our common historical and cultural heritage, as well as shared values and targets for the future of our region provide us with a sound ground to move forward in the right direction.

Here is what we dream for the Balkans: We wish to see the Balkans as a region generating peace, stability and prosperity at the heart of Europe, and not at its periphery. We wish to see a neighborhood where cooperation, solidarity and mutual support prevail over destruction, revenge and selfishness. We wish to see the Balkans as the young, dynamic and energetic driving force of Europe. We wish to see a region which becomes a hub for infrastructure, transportation and energy projects as well as financial transaction. We wish to see the cities of Sarajevo, Belgrade, Skopje, Pristine, Dubrovnik, Plovdiv prosper again together with Istanbul, Thessaloniki or Bucharest.

I know that this is an ambitious undertaking, but I am equally convinced that the Balkans is capable of achieving it. Deep historical, cultural accumulation and human bonds between our countries is our best asset in this endeavor.

Thus, as the Chairman-in-Office of the SEECP, since last June, we have strived for prioritizing the European and Euro-Atlantic convergence of South East Europe, together with development of a new vision for regional cooperation.

The motto of our Chairmanship, “From Shared History to Common Future”, is the bare expression of this understanding.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

SEECP is after all a European institution. All countries within the SEECP are members of the European family. Regardless of our differences we enjoy a partnership that flourishes over shared history, common values and a joint vision. When we speak about this, we understand a Europe where diversity is a source of enrichment in line with the “unity in diversity” approach. And we also understand a Europe which effectively responds to the demands of its citizens.

Dear Colleagues,

The EU and NATO are the key instruments of the European and Euro-Atlantic structures. It is crystal clear that membership perspectives of these institutions have been the overwhelming impulse for progress for most political and economic stakeholders in the region. Indeed, it is of paramount importance that the EU as well as NATO continues to keep their doors open to all Balkan countries, and give encouraging messages especially with respect to enlargement.

I am confident that, SEECP’s contributions to this effect deserve credit from the international community.

Inclusion of some South East European countries, like Serbia, Macedonia and Montenegro, into EU’s visa liberalization regime in 2009 was most welcome in that regard. Now we are hoping the same for Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania, as indicated lastly in June at Sarajevo Meeting. And, I should remind you that it would be unfair and incomplete if the Turkish citizens did not receive this long overdue treatment, in the very near future.

While emphasizing the importance of the EU for the Balkans, I would like to express my pleasure to have our distinguished colleagues, especially Commissioner Fule, from the EU institutions, among us today.

Distinguished Colleagues,

Turkey shares a long history and culture with the Balkans. We have sincere and multi-dimensional relations with the countries of the region. We consider them all close neighbors regardless of the actual physical boundaries.

The existence of our kinsmen in the region, and the existence of Turkish citizens of Balkan origin urge us to pay close attention to the Balkans. It is such a natural interest that there is no room for misrepresentation. Turkey is a natural actor in this geography, which has valuable assets and capabilities for a better future of our region.

Our approach vis-à-vis the Balkans is not interest-, but human-oriented. Hence, we believe that policies or solutions that do not take the human being as a focal point, are doomed to fail.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Significant challenges remain to be tackled before it can be claimed that the Balkans is completely stable. As I said earlier, lessons must be drawn from the mistakes of the recent past. Regional ownership and all-inclusiveness must continue to be our guiding lines in this regard. We must continue to follow the unfolding developments in the region.

Bosnia and Herzegovina is passing through a crucial period. We emphasize the importance of the preservation of its territorial integrity, sovereignty and internationally recognized borders.

We have the responsibility to assist Bosnia to lay the ground for a comprehensive reform in the country with the participation of all stakeholders. We shall join our efforts in conveying the necessary experience and know-how to Bosnia and Herzegovina in this regard. Comprehensive reforms are sine-qua-non for the advancement of European and Euro-Atlantic integration processes of this country.

Bosnian leadership should also demonstrate their resolve in achieving this result. After all, it will be their efforts and conviction that will carry the country further.

Our endeavors to this end at bilateral, regional and multilateral platforms continue unabated. In particular, the trilateral consultation mechanism that we established with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia has proven to be an effective and resilient cooperation scheme. Let me express my gratitude and appreciation to Sven Alkalaj and Vuk Jeremiç for their dedication and sincerity. Thanks to their efforts, Trilateral Balkan Summit of Turkey, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Serbia on 24 April in Istanbul was a historical gathering.

I am equally convinced that Turkey-Bosnia and Herzegovina-Croatia trilateral mechanism will also deliver positive results beneficial for creating an atmosphere conducive to peace and stabilization of the region. To meet regularly to discuss our common issues, to support Bosnia and Herzegovina in all regional and international platforms, to contribute positively to the national reconciliation in that country and to assist some regional projects are among our priorities.

Bosnia’s getting Membership Action Plan (MAP) invitation at NATO Ministerial in Tallin last April was a very important step. We strongly supported this goal from the very beginning. Our firm support will continue, now to help Bosnia in meeting the requirements and commitments arising from the MAP status. We believe NATO will serve as the linchpin to anchor Bosnia and Herzegovina into Euro-Atlantic community. This would also encourage the reform process in the country. We are impatient to see the flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Brussels at the NATO Headquarters.

On the other hand, the general elections in this country will be held early October. Our initial priority must be to help ensure calm and restraint in the country during the election period. Following the elections, Bosnian leaders must shift the gear for comprehensive reforms towards creating a well-functioning state.

Dear Colleagues,

I firmly believe that isolation is not a functioning tool or a viable policy option. We are mature enough to discuss our differences. And when it comes to address the common challenges, we must be able to think and act together. Only with mutual understanding and cooperation, we can solve our problems. “All-inclusiveness” must always be at the fore-front. In this respect, we cannot sideline Kosovo from our daily life.

We believe the integration of Kosovo with the international community is essential for the overall stability in the region.

We are very much interested in Kosovo’s well-being and prosperity, and stand ready to assist Kosovar people to meet its needs.

Irrespective of the status issue, it is important that Kosovo be embraced in regional cooperation mechanisms. I have to say that it is a shortcoming on the part of the SEECP to be unable to include Kosovo, somehow, in its work.

We follow closely the process in the International Court of Justice (ICJ) whose verdict is expected to be issued perhaps next month. However this ruling may come out, restraint and calm should prevail. We will stand ready to help the parties on finding a modus vivendi to get along for the sake of the stability in the Balkans.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

I want to emphasize cordially that our relations with Serbia bear a special importance for us. We consider Serbia as a country which can play an important role for the bright future of our region. I would like to underline the recent momentum and substantial dynamism that we have forged with Serbia during the last period. We have a common will to deepen our cooperation in line with our “strategic partnership” objective.

We commend Serbia’s policy with regard to Kosovo that is based on diplomacy.

Serbia’s formal application for EU membership is a welcome development. We appreciate and fully support its EU cause. We believe Serbian Government’s pro-European stance deserves continuous support and encouragement from the international community.

I would also like to extend once more my appreciation for Serbian Parliament’s decision on Srebrenica in late March, which I consider an important expression of Serbian leadership’s visionary approach.

Following the memberships of Albania and Croatia to NATO, our expectation now is that Macedonia joins NATO without any further delay, as it has already fulfilled the requirements for it. NATO membership is essential for lasting stability in this country. However, the name issue remains to be the main obstacle for the necessary steps to be taken. Same concern applies to its EU integration process.

Turkey supports a mutually acceptable solution to the name issue through diplomatic means under UN auspices. We also encourage high level bilateral contacts between the parties. Finally, I also congratulate my dear colleague Antonio Milososki for the newly assumed Chairmanship at the Council of Europe.

We follow Croatia’s EU integration process with interest and appreciation, as we have simultaneously begun with our accession negotiations with the EU in October 2005. We express our satisfaction about the peaceful path followed by Croatia and Slovenia to find a solution to their border dispute.

We are also looking forward to EU Commissions opinions on Albania and Montenegro’s membership applications.

Moldova’s progress on EU path is promising. Commencement of negotiations with the EU on the “Association Agreement” is most welcome.

Dear Colleagues,

We cannot live in isolation of the events occurring in other parts of our world. The overarching principles that we uphold, including rule of law, respect for sovereignty and non-aggression has to be applied, in the Mediterranean region or the Middle East, too. In this respect, the violent aggression by the Israeli defense forces against a humanitarian aid convoy carried by peace activists at the high seas was unlawful, and has to be condemned strongly. We regret that nine Turkish citizens were killed at this tragic event, and call upon Israel to abide by international law.

Distinguished Guests,

We have been supporting the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) from the very onset, and will continue to do.

RCC, under the able leadership of Secretary General Mr. Hido Bişçeviç, has demonstrated, within a relatively short period of time, its capability to translate our vision of regional cooperation into concrete fields, as the operational arm of the SEECP.

As I have outlined before, establishing a new perception and conduct of regional cooperation in a compact and result-oriented manner is of utmost importance for the success of our European integration processes. We are convinced that the RCC has much more to offer in this sense.

I hereby thank the RCC for its contributions to our work during our Chairmanship-in-Office. Its assistance, both in the essence and in the form of secretarial support, in fulfilling our program of events is most appreciated.

Distinguished Colleagues,

We have learnt with great pleasure of Slovenia’s application for becoming a full participant in the SEECP. I commend the Slovenian leadership for this decision. I officially welcome hereby my friend Samuel Zbogar. Even he was absent in our previous meetings, we have considered Slovenia as part of the SEECP.

Turkey believes that Slovenia, as an EU and NATO member state, will bring much added value and contribute substantially to the objectives of the SEECP.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As the Turkish Chairmanship-in-Office, we have sought to offer you an ambitious and substantial program of events in the light of the vision that I have outlined.

I am convinced that the momentum gained so far within the SEECP will be maintained by the incoming Montenegrin Chair of the SEECP.

I wish Montenegro every success in their term of Office. We will stand ready to offer Montenegro our assistance and support in attaining the continuity and effectiveness of the SEECP activities.

Distinguished Colleagues,

The SEECP İstanbul Declaration that we will adopt after our deliberations today will be the manifestation of our common will and firm commitment to offer our peoples a peaceful and prosperous common future in the European family.

I am convinced that today’s meeting will provide a fresh impetus for our joint efforts to this end.

Thank you and welcome to Istanbul again.