The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of South East European (SEE) Countries, Mr. İsmail Cem, Mr. Blagoj Handziski, Mr. Zivadin Jovanovic, Mrs. Nadezhda Mihaylova, Mr. Paskal Milo, Mr. Theodoros Pangalos and Mr. Andrei Pleşu met in Istanbul on 8-9 June 1998.

Mr. Vladimir Drobnjak and Mr. Huso Zivalj attended the Meeting as representatives of observer countries of the SEE Cooperation Process.

Representatives of France, Germany, Italy, Russian Fedaration, the United Kingdom, the United States, European Commission, the Presidency of the European Union (United Kingdom), Council of Europe, NATO, Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe(Poland), United Nations, World Bank, Black Sea Economic Cooperation, Central European Initiative, Royaumont Process, Southeast European Cooperation Initiative also attended the Meeting as observers.

Ministers of Foreign Affairs, recalling Declarations of Sofia (1996) and Thessaloniki (1997) and the Joint Statement issued by the Heads of State and Government in their meeting in Crete (1997) as important steps in developing further the process of good neighbourliness, stability, security and cooperation in South East Europe, have conducted consultations on matters of interest for their countries and for the Region as a whole.

They reaffirmed that the SEE Process, a comprehensive framework for cooperation originating from within the region, affirmed itself as a leading initiative complemented by other regional cooperation schemes in specific areas.

As the Heads of State and Government have jointly stated, the European orientation of South East European countries is an integral part of their objectives for political, economic and social development. They consider that disappearance of ideological, economic and military divisions in Europe has created unprecented opportunities for the development of their cooperation in support of the realisation of these objectives and for further enhancement of security and stability.

Ministers reviewed the political situation, as well as various areas of cooperation in the usual pattern of their previous meetings, and endorsed the report of the Political Directors.

Regarding their countries' efforts to enhance political cooperation, they noted with satisfaction that the political will manifested at highest levels is increasingly being transformed into actions. Contacts and cooperation, conducted multilaterally and bilaterally, lead to solutions and coordination of efforts to improve conditions of stability and security. They firmly believe that an increasingly favourable political environment will greatly contribute to the elimination of obstacles to cooperation and divergences.

Several   topics  have  been  examined  as  part    of   their consultations for enhancing political cooperation. Regarding the full  implementation of the principles of good  neighbourliness, Ministers    noted   with  satisfaction  the   efforts    made   by  participants  in their relations, bilaterally and multilaterally,  as well  as their search for cooperative responses to questions  of stability and security in the Region. In view of the suggestions to   develop a Charter of Good Neighbourly Relations in   SEE, Ministers asked Political Directors to initiate a study to that end.

Ministers emphasized that they shall encourage the cooperation of the genuine representatives of their peoples in their national Parliaments, as well as their common intention to create a forum of understanding and friendly relations.

Ministers  also  noted various initiatives in the  field  of defense  and  security  cooperation, including meetings  of  the Ministers  and of Deputy Ministers of Defence of  the  countries participating  in  the SEDM process. Ministers of the countries participating in these meetings  emphasized  that  the success of the initiative to create a multinational peace force, open to the participation of all able and willing NATO and PfP countries of the region as a cooperative contribution to NATO  or  WEU-led conflict prevention and  other  peace  support operations  under the mandate of the UN or the OSCE, will be  of great political significance. These initiatives will also enhance contacts, cooperation and interoperability between the armed forces and  will  promote  their ability to  contribute  to    collective peace-building in general.

Regarding the review of implementation of the confidence and security building measures concluded so far and the possibility of developing measures applicable in the whole or part of the region, those Ministers reiterated that the meeting to be held in Skopje at an appropriately high level is expected to provide recommendations to be examined by their authorities.

The Ministers underlined the growing significance of the new challenges and non-traditional risks for stability and security-organised crime, illicit drugs and arms trafficking, international terrorism and they noted the new initiatives for more developed frameworks for cooperation.

On the European orientation of their states and relations with Euro-Atlantic institutions, Ministers proceeded with an exchange of views on the enlargement processes of the European Union and NATO, emphasizing once again their conviction that Europe cannot be complete without their countries and their peoples representing civilizations and historical traditions which are essential to the establishment of a contemporary European identity and that European and Euro-Atlantic integration are essential in promoting common objectives. Participating NATO member countries in the meeting expressed once again their firm support for an early extension of the NATO enlargement process into South-Eastern Europe.

Ministers listened to the contribution of the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Albania on his Government's efforts on progress achieved to return to political stability, restoration of internal security and of the national economy. They reiterated their support for the efforts of Albania to reach these objectives through democratic means, as well as their support to ongoing efforts of international community's assistance, in particular in economic and technical fields.

Implementation  of the General Framework Agreement for  Peace in  Bosnia and Herzegovina was another important issue discussed  by  Ministers. Several    aspects, including the effective working of the  common institutions,    cooperation  between  the  two Entities and three constituent peoples  free and safe return of refugees and displaced persons, economic recovery, War Criminals Tribunal, parallel agreements, have been mentioned.

Ministers  emphasized the importance of the continuation  of the     involvement  and  the  assistance  of  the     international community  and  full  cooperation  of all   the  parties  in  the implementation  of the conclusions reached at the meetings of the Peace Implementation Council, including the    continuation of  the  indispensable role which the UN-mandated NATO-led peace  force  has played  in  creating  a secure    environment  necessary  for  the general stability and for consolidation of a sovereign, integral, democratic and multi-ethnic State of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Importance of free and democratic elections was underlined.

Ministers also urged all the interested states formerly part of the SFRY to cooperate for the resolution of succession issues. The process of full normalisation of relations should continue.

On developing economic cooperation, Ministers emphasized the vital importance of achieving economic development, not only for the  well-being of their peoples, but also as  an  indispensable complement   to   stability.    While  recognising   the   present difficulties of the period of transition and reform, they  noted with   satisfaction    concrete  progress  and the reversal of the decline in production. Cooperation among their countries in  the economic  field and increase in the volume of exchanges are   in steady  progress, although potentials are far from  being  fully tapped. Encouragement   for   trade     liberalisation   through conclusion of bilateral agreements and by other means compatible with their international commitments, promotion of cross    border trade  and in   particular  cooperation  for    the  implementation  of major  infrastructure  projects, including the rapid construction of the ten Pan-European Corridors, in  the    fields  of  transport, telecommunications  and  energy are of   primary  importance  for economic  development and integration. Ministers  expressed  the conviction that continuation of the practice of regular meetings between  the competent Ministers and agencies at various    levels will   assist   efficient  cooperation   and    reaffirmed   their determination  to   intensify their efforts  to  promote  further cooperation in economic fields.

Ministers listened with great interest to the information provided on valuable contributions which other regional initiatives such as SECI, BSEC, CEI and Royamount Process make in their own areas for the same objectives, by activities mutually complementary and reinforcing.

They also took note of a presentation made by the Co-Chairmen of the Business Forum, held in Istanbul at the same dates, on their deliberations and conclusions. Businessmen, representatives of professional associations, as well as the representatives of the public sectors actively took part in the discussions on matters of common interest, including liberalisation and increase of exchanges, development of financial markets and banking sector, privatisation, financing of major infrastructure projects, encouragement and protection of investments. The Ministers consider that convening of Balkan business fora in parallel to their meetings provide a good opportunity for businessmen, professional associations and institutions to exchange views and to open new ways of cooperation.

Appreciating fully the importance of such fora for common objectives, they thanked the Co-Chairmen and the organisers for their initiative and for concrete contributions made by participants, which will be of great help also for competent national authorities.

Ministers  expressed  the opinion that, in order  to  ensure    more efficient cooperation, flexible procedures of  coordination and    interaction  will  be  useful,  in  particular   to   prevent unnecessary overlaps and for offering the possibilities of   some projects  or  schemes to non-participating  regional   countries. They   agreed  to  recommend to their   competent  authorities  to convene   expert    meetings  with  the  participation    of    the representatives   of  the    regional   initiatives   to   discuss possibilities for streamlining, preventing unnecessary overlaps, increasing cooperation and interaction.

They will keep under consideration the possibility of establishing a permanent joint secretariat. At the present stage of the process, the country hosting the meeting of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs will assume also the responsibility of secretarial services for one year.

Ministers consider that the multitude of ideas, projects and initiatives     proposed  in  previous  meetings   reflect     their governments'   political   will    for    multilateral    regional cooperation.   Considering   that  the  SEE  Cooperation    Process presents    a   general    framework   to   assist    and    promote implementation,  they  consider  that   the   procedural  measures recommended by Political Directors will facilitate the effective follow-up  and  monitoring of the progress. They   also   consider that,  although  the  implementation  is    basically  a  national responsibility,  they  do not exclude the possibility  of  joint financing or other contributions for some projects of multinational use, to be  decided on a case by case basis.

Ministers decided to meet again on the occasion of the meeting of the Heads of State and Government to be held in Antalya, Turkey on 12-13 October 1998.