April 14, 2008
The Conference of the Parliamentary Speakers of South East Europe is an important forum, which outlines the trends of interaction between the legislative assemblies of the member countries in the Process for Cooperation in the Region, stated National Assembly Chairman Georgi Pirinski in his introductory speech. The event is held in Sofia on April 14, 2008. Delegations from the national parliaments and assemblies from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Republic of Bulgaria, the Hellenic Republic, the Republic of Macedonia, the Republic of Moldova, Romania, Serbia, the Republic of Turkey, Croatia and Montenegro are taking part.
In his welcoming speech Georgi Pirinski emphasized that this Process is of primary importance to the countries in the Region and that it was launched right here in Sofia 12 years ago. The Speaker of the Bulgarian parliament said that at the end of February, 2008 new forms of cooperation in the Region were started in Sofia, namely The Council for Regional Cooperation. He also stressed the importance of synchronizing the interparliamentary cooperation with the main interaction trends between the countries on government and state level.
In his speech PM Sergey Stanishev reiterated the support of Bulgaria for the accession of all countries in the Region to NATO and for the finding out of mutually acceptable solutions to all intricate issues between them in order to reach good neighborly relations. Mr. Stanishev pointed out that the regional cooperation is not a substitute for but a very important prerequisite and condition for an effective practical integration of the countries in the Region. The newly established spirit of partnership is of utmost importance for the steps that the Western Balkans countries have to undertake for their successful Euro Atlantic integration, as it was in the past with Bulgaria and Romania.
Sofia has been chosen to host the Regional Secretariat for Parliamentary Cooperation and we are aware of the great responsibility of Bulgaria, Mr. Stanishev added. He also assured the delegates that the Secretariat will have the full support of the Bulgarian Government.
In his speech, Vice President Angel Marin said that the Conference in Sofia was bearing testimony to the deepening cooperation in South East Europe and that the fact that countries in the region were affirming their will to promote the democratic processes development was very encouraging.
National Assemblies/Parliaments Speakers delivered speeches before the Conference.
The participants in the7th Conference of Speakers of Parliaments of the South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) will sign today a Memorandum of Understanding on Interparliamentary Cooperation in South East Europe. At the end of the Forum a Final Declaration will be adopted. The Declaration will confirm the commitment of the SEECP Member Countries to promote the regional development and their European perspective.