BODO HOMBACH MEETS WITH PRESIDENT KUCAN

Ljubljana, 16 July 1999


With the Stability Pact Europe has finally taken on responsibility for its south-east, estimated President of the Republic Milan Kucan in his talks with Bodo Hombacher, special coordinator of the Southeastern Europe Stability Pact at Brdo Castle today. The President underlined that the success of the Pact will mainly depend on good coordination and close cooperation between states in designing and implementing projects that are to enable the reconstruction and especially the development of this part of Europe, thus opening up the path leading to European integration in the shortest time possible. In President Kucan's opinion, the Stability Pact constitutes the decisive opportunity for shifting events in this part of Europe from irrational to rational. The President especially emphasised the importance of the opennes and plurality of the media. Discussions also revolved around Slovenia's role within the Stability Pact, Slovenia's proposal to organise round tables on the role of minorities in the enforcement of human rights and on support to the development of small and medium sized enterprises, as well as other specific projects where Slovenia could succesfully participate as a partner and expert on the area.