UNMIK/PR/798
PRISTINA/SALZBURG – Strengthened regional co-operation in the fields of trade liberalisation, the fight against organised crime, energy, return of refugees and displaced persons and media development were on the agenda when SRSG Michael Steiner met yesterday with three senior internationals in South Eastern Europe. The informal meeting took place in the Austrian city of Salzburg upon invitation of the Special Coordinator for the Stability Pact, Erhard Busek and was also attended by the High Representative for Bosnia and Herzegovina, Paddy Ashdown and the EU-representative in Macedonia, Alain Le Roy.
In their talks, the four took stock of the latest achievements in the Balkans. The four agreed to continue their efforts, together with governments in the region, to facilitate regional co-operation. This is the main objective of the Stability Pact and it is the only way to solve many of the remaining problems.
The four officials stressed the need for free, fair and quality elections and election campaigns during the upcoming "election autumn" in South Eastern Europe. The way elections are run and campaigns are conducted is very important for (international) perception of political stability. It is also a vital element for attracting much needed foreign investment. To that end, they called upon governments, politicians and political parties alike to respect the democratic rules of conduct in the upcoming elections.
SRSG Michael Steiner said: “It is in Kosovo’s immediate interest to be part of this regional co-operation. Kosovo is not an island in the region.”
