SEE the European Perspective
BULGARIAN
Chairmanship-in-Office
2007/2008

CONFERENCE OF THE PRESIDENTS OF SEECP PARLIAMENTS

SEVENTH CONFERENCE

Enhancing the Overarching Role of Regional Parliamentary Cooperation in South East Europe

Sofia, 13-15 April 2008

Speech by the Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Bulgaria Mr. Georgi Pirinski

Dear Colleagues,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

As we all clearly realize, the Seventh Conference of Presidents of Parliaments from South East Europe is taking place at a moment of new developments of a particularly important nature for the countries of the region. Therefore our Conference's theme - "enhancing the overarching role of regional parliamentary cooperation" becomes not simply a desirable wish but rather an essential requirement.

This is so because lately lines of division between individual countries have yet again grown more evident. A number of unresolved issues, having to do with internal reforms as well as in relations between states, have been contributing to the development of this trend.

These developments coincide with the basic changes taking place in the architecture for security and cooperation in the region- with the phasing out of the activities of the Stability Pact the direct engagement of the international community with broadly inclusive interaction with the countries of the region has expired. What is more - after a period of constructive cooperation, the contact group of six countries is in effect blocked because of deep-going
differences among major participants with unclear prospects for early deblocking.

With the creation of the Regional Cooperation Council our countries for the first time have assumed the major responsibility for elaborating and applying multilateral decisions in favor of stabilizing and integrating the countries of the region with European and global structures. The essence of such decisions can be no other but the creation of the conditions and prerequisites, necessary for the development of each of our countries as full-fledged modern states, capable of offering their citizens a life in security, wellbeing and dignity.

It is therefore of primary importance that the Council starts implementing the practical lines of its activities as early as possible in accordance with the stipulations in its inaugural act:
- economic and social advancement;
- infrastructure;
- justice and home affairs
- cooperation in the security field ;
- human capital development, as well as
- parliamentary cooperation as an overarching theme, present in all other areas.

Thus it is our parliamentary sphere that is called upon in no small measure to discuss and outline an overall perspective for development of the region and to "communicate" it to the concrete areas of cooperation. Of decisive importance for the elaboration of such a perspective shall be our capacity to incorporate the interests of each of our countries in an agreed upon regional program for development in the areas indicated, open to both the European and Euro-Atlantic as well as the Black sea and Mediterranean communities and structures.

However complex and ambitious such a task may seem, we have at our disposal sufficiently convincing examples of encouraging practical achievements along the lines indicated. Such undoubtedly are the evolution of the Central European Free Trade Area, the Energy community of the countries from the region as well as the intensive cooperation in the areas of border controls and home affairs.

The "aquis" accumulated over the past twelve years as a result of the activities under the Process of Cooperation in South East Europe represents a durable foundation for both the achievements so far as well as for our further endeavors. I therefore consider it quite appropriate that in the very initial paragraphs of the Final Declaration of our Conference we emphasize the value and advantages that the Process provides precisely because of having originated and evolved from within the region that we all belong to.

Today however we must reach agreement on the mechanisms and procedures which would enable us to realize the benefits and advantages of interparliamentary cooperation. In this regard the establishment and continuity of a sufficiently close link and synchronization between initiatives along parliamentary lines and the activities of the Regional Cooperation Council shall clearly be of decisive importance.

It is in this light that we view the enhancement and upgrading of the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Cooperation as a result of the common efforts of all countries from the region. In the period since our last Conference in Zagreb thanks to just such efforts much was done towards preparing it for becoming fully operational and it is at this point that I would like to express our gratitude to all of you, to the representatives of the Stability Pact and other partners for your contributions towards the successful launching of the Secretariat.

It is evident that the results of its future activities shall depend upon the decisions that we all shall reach at our present Conference. It is therefore with satisfaction that I would like to take note that as a result of the intensive work by the experts from our Parliaments - the National Coordinators for parliamentary cooperation, and who merit our particular recognition, we now have the opportunity to sign the Memorandum spelling out the durable basis for the full-fledged functioning of the Regional Secretariat.

Doubtless the agreement on and implementation of a substantial Work Plan of activities in accordance with the priorities and interests of our countries shall be of defining importance. The Conference on visa matters as one of the issues of vital importance to our citizens held here in Sofia just a week ago represents a good example in this regard.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Regretably, during the last months developments in our region once again provided food for the stereotyped perceptions of it as an area of insoluble problems and rivalries, as a source of threatening developments and animosity. We all know that we can do better, that it is not inconceivable to seek understanding and compromise in the spirit of European practice and by now tradition from the second half of last century.

Undoubtedly such a perspective finds itself confronted by multiple barriers - both internal as well as coming from without. Therefore it is we before all who are the ones facing this challenge - the ones called upon to give expression and to stand for the fundamental interests of our people, to be the guardians of legality and partnership both within our own countries as well as in relations between us and with our partners from Europe and across the world.

In fact we are confronting a challenge of truly historic magnitude - to create a new image of the Balkans in place of the traditional stereotype, all the more not by means of a successful public-relations campaign but rather as the result of deep-going change both in our individual countries as well as the region as a whole. May we be equal to this challenge, may we succeed in responding to the expectations of our citizens, of our friends and partners!

Thank you for your attention.