Perspectives of Euro-Atlantic Integration and Ways for Regional Cooperation

Atlantic Council of Serbia International Conference
Five Years in the Family: Partnership, Success, Future Vision and New Challenges

Fabrizio W. Luciolli

Secretary General of the Italian Atlantic Committee

Belgrade, 22 June 2006

Five years since the establishment of the Atlantic Council of Serbia we can list many achievements and lessons learned.
 
In the security field, a few kilometers away from here, democratic discussions regarding the future geopolitical asset of the region are taking place while others issues have already been settled in a peaceful way.
 
Moreover, Serbia achieved relevant results in the economic sector. In fact, the Financial Times recently described Belgrade as a regional economic pole, potentially able to attract foreign investment just like Barcelona and Zurich. The growing presence of foreign companies in Serbia – such as Italian banks and insurance groups - are concrete examples of the improvement of the Serbian economy, with an 8.6% GDP increase in 2004 and a growth of 6% in 2005.
 
However, the way to improve stability in the region must be paved by a comprehensive and global strategy of cooperation and integration. An integration process, progressively leading all countries in the region closer to, and possibly in, the Euro-Atlantic institutions.
 
Regional cooperation is of the utmost importance in order to improve economic development, social stability, and security in the region. These three pillars are at the basis of the Stability Pact launched in 1999, and are strictly interdependent, since democracy and respect of human rights, economic and social development, can be achieved only in a safe and stable area, and vice versa.
 
Economic and social development in the region should be based on two primary goals and objectives.
 
First, liberalization of trade in the region through cooperation in the customs field and by breaking the internal dividing lines and barriers in the region, which are not permitting the integration of the local economies in a wider commercial and trade system.
 
In this respect, with the Salzburg Declaration of 11 March 2006, the European Union and the representatives of the Western Balkan countries encourage regional cooperation, including a free trade area building on CEFTA [Central European Free Trade Agreement], and look forward to the Commission´s proposals on people to people contacts, including visa facilitation in line with the common approach, as well as on adequate financial assistance.
The new agreement, to be concluded under the auspices of the Stability Pact by 31 December 2006, will include modern trade policy provisions on competition rules and state aid, government procurement, and protection of intellectual property.
 
The second objective and goal is to promote the development of infrastructures for the entire South Eastern European region.
This constitute a crucial aspect for the success of the economic development process.
In fact, the development of an infrastructure framework in the area represents the fundamental condition to attract private investments and to develop a solid commercial web of small and medium companies and industries.
 
Political and financial efforts to assist the region must promote local and regional commercial actors and subjects. It is imperative to avoid the errors that jeopardized the reconstruction process in Bosnia, where over the 50% of the consumption are financed by international aids.
 
Despite the wounds and traumas caused by the war, these five years have witnessed the establishment, within a relatively short period of time, of good-neighbourly relations. However, these relations are still fragile and need to be reinforced by strong cooperation at the international, national, and local level.
 
NATO and the European Union, together with other international organizations, have significantly supported, and will continue to support, the process of regional cooperation and building of good-neighbour policies.
 
NATO and the other international security organizations are particularly active in supporting the security sector reforms (SSR). In this area there are few security challenges that can be handled by individual states and many that need to be addressed in a regional and international context of cooperation, such as terrorism, illegal trafficking, and organized crime. Implementing SSR in the region also entails a comprehensive approach, that embraces various security sectors such as armed forces, police, justice.
 
The parliamentary dimension and the successor generations are also key targets to be addressed. In this respect, the Atlantic Treaty Association and the Atlantic Council of Serbia are playing a relevant role.
 
In the light of the NATO and EU perspective of integration many reforms have been already promoted.
 
2006 will be a decisive year for the region and the international organizations must be ready to foster their cooperation in order to implement the decisions that will be agreed upon.
 
In this regard, the definition of the future status of Kosovo under the auspices of the UN is a crucial element for the stability of the region. And the EU is expected to play in Kosovo a stronger role in the areas of police and rule of law, as well as economic affairs.
 
However, the Euro-Atlantic perspective of integration of the Western Balkans does not depend on the kind of status that will be chosen for Kosovo.
 
The Declaration on Western Balkans, issued on 15-16 June 2006 by the European Council, clearly states that the future of the region lies on the Euro-Atlantic structure and specifically underlines that a peaceful and prosperous Serbia fully integrated into the family of European nations is very important for the stability in the region.
 
This perspective will not change. Neither the present Serbian difficulties related to the cooperation with the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia, nor the EU enlargement scepticism and the question of absorption capacity of the European Union, can steer the integration process of the Western Balkans.
 
However, a perspective of integration and association will be possible only if coupled with a strong commitment of the countries of the region in order to develop, update, and adapt their legislation to the European standards in different fields: ranging from the economy to the the enforcement of democratic and effective institutions to strong countermeasures against organized crime.
 
The efforts and the cooperation spent today by the international community in the region are not diminishing the role of bilateral cooperation between the countries. In this respect, let me mention the role of Italy that is devoting a major effort to the stability of this region, that we feel close to us not only because of its geographical proximity.
 
Moreover, the success of the national and international efforts requires a strong commitment of the local leaders to move their countries with confidence towards the Euro-Atlantic values and institutions.
 
Five years of activities carried out by the Atlantic Council of Serbia represent an extraordinary contribution in supporting the stability and peace of the region. As a representative of the Italian Atlantic Committee, I had the privilege of being here five years ago. Todays international conference, attended by representatives from so many countries interested in the stability of the region, confirms the great role always played by the Atlantic Council of Serbia even in difficult times. And I wish to conclude by congratulating the Atlantic Council of Serbia and its leadership for these relevant achievements.