(Aghios Achilleios, 14 July 1999)

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Mr George Papandreou, Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr Aleksandar Dimitrov and Minister for Foreign Affairs Mr. Paskal Milo met in Aghios Achilleios, on 14 July 1999, in order to exchange views, in a regional and European perspective, on matters of common interest.

The Foreign Ministers underlined the importance, on a SEE and European scale, of their trilateral meeting, hosted by Greece, member of the European Union and NATO.

Minister Dimitrov and Minister Milo, supported by Minister Papandreou, stressed that the integration of their countries in the European family will enhance peace and stability in the region and in Europe. Foreign Minister Papandreou reiterated the Greek support for the earliest possible accession of the two neighbouring countries represented by Minister Dimitrov and Minister Milo to the European Union and NATO and the deepening of the relation in the framework of the Stabilization and Association Agreements. The two Foreign Ministers expressed their countries’ deep appreciation for the Greek stance and support to this end.

The three Ministers reviewed, among others, the situation in the region including the developments in Kosovo. They underlined the importance of the implementation of the Stability Pact. They also supported the need for an overall reconstruction of South Eastern Europe taking into account the most affected countries. They declared their firm intention to work for a South East Europe where stability, cooperation and economic prosperity will prevail. The three countries at the suggestion of Greece are developing the process by which they can insure the full participation in the implementation of the Stability Pact. They decided to reinforce their cooperation in fields such as regional transport and telecommunications infrastructure, energy networks and projects to protect the shared cultural heritage, environment and combating trans-border crime.. In this context, the three Ministers agreed to work together for the promotion of concrete regional projects, such as corridor 8, the Ionian - Dalmation hiway, the revitalization program for SMEs, etc. They also discussed the proposal by Minister Dimitrov on the necessity for the creation of fund for the financing of urgent needs and projects. They agreed to examine the possibility for the creation of a pilotal trilateral free circulation zone in the area of Prespes, and at the same time to promote Eco-tourism projects of common interests in the same area. They welcomed the existing trilateral trans-border cooperation and encouraged the local authorities to further strengthen their ties.