This year’s Informal Meeting of Foreign Ministers of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) whose Chairmanship in Office is currently assumed by Serbia, was held on 31 January 2012 in Belgrade. Turkey was represented by Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, Minister of Foreign Affairs, at the meeting.

At the meeting, participant states mentioned that SEECP process has made concrete contributions to cooperation in the Balkans. In his speech, Foreign Minister Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu stated that it would be beneficial to make a new assessment in the scope of SEECP which was founded in 1996 and added that in the years of foundation of SEECP, Balkans had had difficult times, however, conditions changed and today an economical earthquake was being experienced. He also noted that a new cooperation concept is required to prevent emergence of new problems in the region. Underlining the importance of the EU vision, Mr. Davutoğlu stated that it would be appropriate to make realistic evaluations in the field of economy as well. He proposed implementation of an action plan in the period extending to 2016, covering deepening of political dialogue, development of joint economic projects and exerting joint efforts in the field of education.

On the sidelines of the meeting, Foreign Minister Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu had bilateral meetings with Foreign Minister of Serbia Vuc Jeremic, Foreign Minister of Montenegro Milan Rocen, Foreign Minister of Croatia Vesna Pusic, Foreign Minister of Macedonia Nikola Poposki and Foreign Minister of Greece Stavros Dimas. In addition, he was received by President of Serbia Boris Tadic.