Declaration of Participants of the Summit of Cooperation in Southeast Europe

SARAJevo, (Patria) - Participants of the Summit of the Cooperation Process in Southeast Europe (SEECP) Milorad Dodik, Željko Komšić, Šefik Džaferović, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Milo Đukanović, Stevo Pendarovski, Ilir Meta, Ana Brnabić, Boyko Borissov, Nicolae Hurduc, Zdravka Bušić, Georgios Iliopoulos, Oleg Tulea and Zorica Bukinac, in the presence of the Secretary General of the Regional Cooperation Council (RCC) Majlinda Bregu and representatives of the European External Action Service Angelina Eichhorst, adopted a joint Declaration.

"Reaffirming our commitment to the fundamental principles of the SEECP Charter, the UN Charter and the relevant documents of the EU, OSCE and the Council of Europe, reaffirming our full commitment to inclusive regional cooperation and joint activities among SEECP participants as a turning point for the development of stability and prosperity in the Region, on the foundations of strengthening democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, mutual understanding and interconnectedness, taking into account previous declarations adopted by heads of state and government as an important basis for further strengthening our mutual cooperation, reaffirming the full commitment of SEECP participants to the common future of the region in a united, democratic and prosperous Europe, emphasizing the importance of supporting diversified and sustainable economic growth based on modern technologies, digitalization and structural reforms, emphasizing that good neighborly relations, mutual respect and sincere political dialogue in resolving issues have no alternative, reaffirming our determination to work together at the regional level on all issues in order to find an effective response to all contemporary challenges, we agree on the following:

EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE OF THE REGION

We firmly believe in a common European future. The European Union project has proven to be the most successful and effective guarantor of peace, stability and prosperity in the history of the continent. The prospect of EU membership has proven to be the strongest incentive for encouraging necessary reforms, as well as the best guarantee for lasting peace, stability and security in the region. It is also the strongest driver for the complete transformation of the region and the promotion of democracy, human rights and fundamental freedoms, the rule of law, mutual understanding, interconnectedness and good economic governance. We are deeply convinced that only the full integration of the entire region into the European Union serves the best interests of the continent; it is necessary to maintain the momentum of enlargement and continuous commitment to reforms for the credibility of the enlargement policy, based on strict and fair conditionality, regional cooperation and good neighborly relations and the principle of own merit. Also, SEECP participants who are already EU members will continue to support the EU perspective of SEECP participants who aspire to it.

We believe that better coordination between different regional initiatives, focusing their efforts, avoiding duplication and joint work with European institutions can accelerate positive changes on the ground in our region, as well as the European path for those aspiring to become EU members. In this regard, we commend the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU and the Sarajevo Presidency of the SEECP for co-organizing the Informal Meeting to Strengthen Regional Cooperation in Southeast Europe, held on March 22, 2019, in Sarajevo, which brought together EU Directors for the Western Balkans, SEECP Political Directors, as well as representatives of the EEAS and the European Commission. We encourage future presidencies to continue this dialogue.

STRENGTHENING SECURITY

Participants are fully committed to working together to effectively address all security threats in the region. The security of Southeast Europe is a prerequisite for the security and stability of the entire continent. Participants emphasize the need for coordinated efforts in combating violent extremism and terrorism, organized crime with a focus on modern slavery, human trafficking, forced labor, smuggling of weapons and ammunition, money laundering and corruption. In this regard, participants welcome the launch of the implementation of the Integrated Internal Security Governance and its first pillar, the Western Balkans Counter-Terrorism Initiative (WBCT). Participants also welcome the results of the Sofia EU-Western Balkans Summit held in May 2018 and the London Western Balkans Summit within the Berlin Process, held in July 2018, in the field of security and the launch of the implementation of the Sofia Agenda of priorities and security commitments of the Berlin Process. Participants are convinced that the challenge of illegal migration can only be overcome through joint cooperation of all SEECP members and call on the European Union to continue to provide concrete support to our region in this matter. Participants also recognize the significant role of the Regional Initiative for Migration, Asylum and Refugees (MARRI), as well as the Law Enforcement Center for Southeast Europe (SELEC) and their contribution in the area of managing illegal migration and combating human trafficking.

ECONOMIC COOPERATION, INTERCONNECTEDNESS AND PROSPERITY OF THE REGION

Participants believe that strengthening economic cooperation between SEECP participants, as well as between the economies of SEECP and the EU, is of utmost importance for economic growth, sustainable development and the prosperity of the citizens of Southeast Europe. In this regard, participants are fully aware of the urgency of expanding connectivity within the region, as well as between the region and the EU. Connectivity is understood in a much broader sense than just infrastructure. This includes business connectivity, digital connectivity, cultural exchanges, youth engagement, etc. By improving connectivity, the entire region's ability to compete in the global market, as well as the overall well-being of its citizens, will increase.

Participants emphasize the great potential of digitalization for transforming their economies and cross-border connections, and therefore recommend expanding cooperation in this area. Participants welcome the Second Digital Summit of the Western Balkans, held in Belgrade on April 4-5, 2019. Participants particularly welcome the signing of the Agreement on Reducing Roaming Prices for Public Mobile Networks in the Western Balkans region by 6 participants, as an important step in strengthening the connectivity of the region's citizens. Participants understand the potential threat to the stability of our economic progress and sustainable development caused by the exodus of a large number of educated and skilled young people to more prosperous economies. This phenomenon is not perceived as temporary, and it needs to be jointly addressed by all stakeholders in the region. In this regard, participants welcome the round table on the topic "From Brain Drain to Brain Gain", organized within the framework of the Sarajevo SEECP Presidency in April 2019.

SEECP participants consider it extremely important to promote a positive perspective for young people and to help improve their prosperity in the SEECP region by increasing economic cooperation and emphasizing the European perspective. The capacities of young people are also crucial for building more stable and cohesive societies. In this regard, participants welcome the contribution of the Regional Youth Cooperation Office (RYCO) and the Western Balkans Fund (WBF) as part of the cooperation environment in Southeast Europe. Participants also welcome the Conference "How to Better Respond to the European Aspirations of Young People in the Western Balkans", organized by the Romanian Presidency of the Council of the EU with the support of the European Commission and Norway through EEA and Norwegian grants.

The event was organized in close cooperation with the Regional Cooperation Council and the Regional Youth Cooperation Office. The conference held in Bucharest on May 28-29, 2019, represented an important step towards a sustainable dialogue between young people in the EU and the Western Balkans, fostering mutual understanding, reconciliation and broader connection with European values.

Participants fully support the implementation of the UN Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030, as an opportunity for the complete transformation of our region in numerous economic, social and environmental aspects. Recognizing the importance of this Agenda, the Sarajevo Presidency organized special events and a round table on this topic in April of this year.

PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE SEECP

Participants strongly support the work of the Parliamentary Assembly of the SEECP, recognizing the crucial importance of mutual cooperation between legislative bodies in our region, especially through sharing best practices and lessons learned in all areas. This is seen as an appropriate framework for implementing European standards and harmonizing legislative work with the European Union. Participants acknowledge the Parliamentary Assembly of Bosnia and Herzegovina for successfully leading the parliamentary dimension of the Sarajevo SEECP Presidency.

Participants noted that the Parliamentary Assembly of the SEECP agreed to keep the debates and work on creating a fully functional Permanent Secretariat high on the Agenda in order to increase its efficiency.

SEECP-RCC SYNERGY

On the twentieth anniversary of the Stability Pact for Southeast Europe, which was a paradigm idea launched in 1999 in Sarajevo and aimed to bring positive changes in the development of security and stability ties in the region, participants particularly appreciate the role of the RCC for its tireless work on the sustainability of regional progress. Effective and results-oriented cooperation between SEECP participants, the European Union and the RCC has provided a framework for regional cooperation that has achieved concrete results in digital connectivity, labor mobility, social inclusion and cohesion, gender equality, parliamentary and security cooperation.

The RCC has proven to be a relevant catalyst for numerous regional initiatives and a comprehensive regional organization that plays a key role in connecting the region with the EU and the global economy. Regional cooperation continues to be a strong driving force for the EU integration of SEECP aspiring participants. The RCC's operational growth corresponds with the growing demands of SEECP participants for a better-connected region, where stability fosters prosperity and economic growth leads to greater economic convergence with the EU and other advanced economies in the world.

SEECP participants entrust the RCC with the mandate to continue implementing the regional connectivity policy in all possible ways. As the SEE 2020 Strategy is nearing its end, SEECP participants expect the RCC to prepare a vision for the post-SEE 2020 Strategy in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals Agenda 2030. Eleven years of constructive and visionary synergy between the RCC and the SEECP framework have brought about enormous changes and provided important lessons for the future. As the world changes and regional challenges grow, so does the necessity to strengthen the role of the RCC, based on effective synergy between the SEECP and the RCC.