Inter-Balkan Co-operation: a necessity

Statement by the President of SYNASPISMOS regarding the Balkan Leaders Summit Meeting

Crete, 2-4 November 1997

"The Summit comes with at least five years delay. A critical time space during which there were opportunities which were not put to good use.

Understanding and good relations between the Balkan States and the European Union should constitute a strategic priority of our Foreign Policy.

The meeting of the Leaders of the Balkan countries in Crete is an importan t opportunity to take decisive steps forward in multifaceted co-operation which will promote stability and peaceful co-existence in the Balkans.

This meeting should become a permanent institution, operating periodically. It should lead to a Balkan friendship and co-operation Pact.

The Summit should conclude its works with the signing of a common declaration which should stress:

• mutual respect of frontiers, international law and international Treaties
• the will of all participants for permanent structures of understanding within the framework of the Inter-Balkan Conference as a permanent institution
• the promotion of co-operation programmes in the financial field, for the development, the social support and the environmental protection of the Balkans".

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