Dear Colleagues,

Distinguished Delegates,

It gives me great pleasure to welcome you at the Istanbul meeting of Foreign Affairs of South East European Cooperation.

Our meeting takes place in the context of a historic renewal we witness in Europe. This is a time of change and hope the climate of the cold war which hindered progress in several of our countries seem to belong to a distant past. Dividing lines based on ideological camps have disappeared democracy, freedom and development are at the forefront of our shared values. We communicate with each other with the unifying language of constructive cooperation.

Several European nations are in a process of political and economic rebirth the challenge we face is to construct the Europe of the next millenium with its Euro-Atlantic and Eurasian Dimensions Capable of providing its peoples and those of other areas with more freedom and progress. We believe that the Dynamism of our region and the traditional wisdom of our peoples will contribute to a rejuvenated Europe.

South East Europe has been the scene of important developments in the recent past. We have witnessed not only progress but also setbacks, and even one tragedy, in sharp contrast with the overall promising atmosphere of the post cold war era. I hope and I presume we have all drawn the appropriate lessons from the bitter experience of Bosnia to prevent the recurrence of such tragedies.

By "we", I do not mean solely the South East European countries but all countries of Europe. They all had direct or indirect responsibility. What can be done now is to ensure the full implementation of the Dayton peace agreement. It is the major means to attain durable peace and stability in the region.

Dear Participants

The inevitable turmoils and difficulties of a period of change have caused for some of us delays in catching up with the progress of our continent, the gap should be bridged through enhanced cooperation and integration mechanism. In this context, positive aspects of globalization provide new opportunities.

As South East Europe, one of our priorities should be to take our place in the emerging new international environment it is high time to overcome the difficulties which still persist among ourselves and to develop appropriate tools to transform into practice a common vision for our future.

A very important characteristic of our region is its multi-ethnic and multi-cultural identity. We should look at this reality as one of the most important binding elements of our cooperation. We should respect and preserve this rich historical heritage. It is on this rich cultural background that we can build the future of our next generations. This would contribute to widening and strengthening of a solid democratic environment in South East Europe.

The South East European cooperation process is an initiative which has originated from within our region. Issues of our region, therefore, require our own attention in the first instance, our openness, capability and determination to resolve the problems of our region are also important elements for developing good neighbourly relations, stability and security in South East Europe. We may have different opinions on how to manage crisis at national and international levels, or to identify our responsibilities vis-a-vis certain security issues. Nevertheless, the elimination of those problems requires objective analysis, constructive dialogue and close cooperation.

In this connection I would like to address the situation in Kosovo, unfortunately, this issue continues to maintain its utmost priority for the stability and security of our region. Recent developments, I regret, have acquired a serious dimension and this increases our concern. Any form of violence, excessive USE of force and all forms of terrorism have to be stopped immediately in Kosovo. It is my Government's sincere wish that talks for obtaining a durable and effective solution to this problem start as soon as possible. These talks, no doubt, have to safeguard the human and civil rights of all inhabitants of Kosovo Albanians, Serbs, Turks and others, who have acquired these legitimate rights in the course of history. Furthermore the recent outflow of refugees has created a tragic situation for the masses concerned and serious problems for neighbouring countries. We must solve the problem of Kosovo before it is too late. As the countries of the region we have the duty to address this problem with great responsibility.

Distinguished Delegates

Today, solution of several of our problems necessitate help and intervention of the international community. Yet, outside assistance cannot always be available or become conducive to the solution of certain problems unless there is support of local democratic forces as well as of neighbours.

The ongoing process of cooperation in South East Europe is the collective achievement of the initiatives and efforts of all the countries of our region our multilateral regional cooperation, as I see it, is on the right track and is unfolding as a continuous process. Let me identify, as I see them, some of the prevailing characteristics of our cooperation process.

First, our regional cooperation is an indispensable element of a wider European integration. These two parallel processes are complementary and they are requirements of the General stability of our continent.

Secondly, we have already established a certain institutional framework. We have regular ministerial meetings and our heads of state and government will also meet regularly. Our political directors come together every three months and they review the developments in various fields of our cooperation. They have recently prepared a comprehensive report about the activities that we have accomplished or envisage to materialise.

There is great merit in this kind of gradual institutionalization. In the future we may wish to expand these regular meetings to other domains, such as the meetings of the Ministers of the interior, of transport and of trade and economy.

Turkey as the organizer of this meeting here today will also host the next Summit Meeting which is due to take place in Antalya on 12-13 October. Prime Minister Mesut Yılmaz will forward his invitations to the participating countries soon.

Thirdly, our regional cooperation is an all-embracing process. Our purpose should be to remove all kinds of barriers between our countries and avoid formation of new dividing lines in our region our objective should be to bring together all the countries of South East Europe and allow their participation in all the activities of regional cooperation initiatives with a view to establishing a prosperous and cooperative future.

Fourthly, enhanced regional cooperation within the European context is a common project for all the countries of South East Europe. As our heads of state and government stated in Crete, we should pursue the South Eastern European cooperation, on a mutual and equal basis, in the firm belief that each of us has much to learn from the other.

Finally, South East European cooperation process will enhance our ability to avoid unnecessary duplications between various regional cooperation initiatives. Coordination between all these processes creates a mutual reinforcement and this should be maintained and respected as a dynamic feature of our cooperation.

On this occasion, I would particularly like to mention that, parallel to our meeting here. A business forum is also taking place in this hotel, bringing together some hundred businessmen of our countries with a view to enhancing trade and economic relations between our countries as well as examining the prospects for wider cooperation.

I would also like to recall that the preparations for the establishment of regional trade promotion center are also under way and that the center will become operational by the beginning of next year.

Dear Colleagues

We represent peoples and nations who share history. I believe that the history we share is a common asset for us all. I believe as well that we share a common future, a future which will be democratic peaceful and prosperous.

With these general remarks, I would now like to invite the distinguished heads of delegations of the South East European countries to make their general statements.