SOUTH-EAST EUROPEAN COOPERATION PROCESS (SEECP)

>> BACKGROUND

The South East European Co-operation Process (SEECP) was launched in 1996. At the Bulgaria-chaired meeting in Sofia, the SEE countries laid the foundations for regional co-operation for the purposes of creating an atmosphere of trust, neighbourly relations and stability.

A special characteristic of the SEECP is that it is an original form of co-operation among the countries in the region launched on their own initiative. In that regard, SEECP seeks to define itself as an authentic voice of SEE, complementary to the EU accession process of the countries in the region. This process goes hand in hand with the transformation and gradual phasing out of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe.

The basic goals of regional co-operation within the SEECP include the strengthening of security and political co-operation, intensification of economic relations and co-operation in human resources, democracy, justice, and combating organised crime. It is the intention of the SEECP to allow its members to approach the European and Euro-Atlantic structures through the strengthening of neighbourly relations and transformation of the region into an area of peace and stability.

Structure: The SEECP is a regional, non-institutionalised process, co-ordinated by the presiding country. The SEECP chairmanship-in-office lasts for one year and is rotated among the participants. The presiding country presents the Process at international meetings and hosts the annual meeting of heads of state and government, foreign ministers meeting and a number of annual meetings of political directors and relevant ministers. The SEECP participants have started talks on enhancing cooperation with the European Commission as well as on the role of the SEECP in connection with the Stability Pact exit strategy.

Croatia became a full SEECP participant in October 2004. After gaining independence, Montenegro applied for the status of an SEECP participating country.