site.btaUPDATED Romania Assumes South-East European Cooperation Process Chairmanship at Summit in Sofia

The South-East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) Summit took place in Sofia on Wednesday. Bulgaria's President Iliana Iotova welcomed the heads of delegations attending the Summit at the National Palace of Culture, as the forum marked the 30th anniversary of SEECP's establishment.

Among the participants at the forum were Slovenia's President Natasa Pirc Musar, Albania's President Bajram Begaj, Montenegro's President Jakov Milatovic, North Macedonia's President Gordana Siljanovska-Davkova, Kosovo’s acting President Albulena Haxhiu, Bosnia and Herzegovina Presidency Chair Denis Becirovic, Moldova’s Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu, Serbia’s Prime Minister Duro Macut, Greece's Foreign Minister Giorgos Gerapetritis, Turkiye's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, Croatia's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlic-Radman, and Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu.

At the event, the Bulgarian head of State said the SEECP had become a key platform for regional cooperation, European integration and stability. According to the President, South-East Europe is of strategic importance for the stability and prosperity of Europe and should strengthen connectivity, economic cooperation and resilience against security threats. She said the region had the potential to become a key hub for energy diversification and transport links.

After the Summit, Iotova, Albanian President Bajram Begaj and Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu gave a joint press conference. Albania held the previous SEECP Chairmanship, while Romania assumed the next one.

President Iliana Iotova said that Bulgaria will continue working to ensure that Southeast Europe becomes the region in Europe and the world that is most connected and integrated. She noted that 30 years ago, Bulgaria established the SEECP and, three decades later, the format proved to be important, as over the years, a lot was achieved. Iotova expressed confidence that under Romania's Chairmanship, the SEECP will continue to strengthen its role as an important platform for regional cooperation and the European perspective of the region.

Albanian President Bajram Begaj stressed that there is a clear understanding that deepening cooperation among Southeast European countries is necessary. “Our cooperation in the region has concrete results - we are seeing progress in facilitating trade and the movement of people and goods,” he pointed out. Begaj also highlighted the need for successful integration in terms of digital connectivity. According to him, the meeting in Sofia continues these efforts.

Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu outlined the priorities of Romania's Chairmanship: the common regional market, security and the European integration of the countries of the region. She stressed that youth development will also be a key focus. "Young people will have a leading role. It is important that their interests are heard," Toiu said. She reported that Romania will work to ensure that the voice of the countries of Southeast Europe is heard in Europe, including in discussions on the European Union's next Multiannual Financial Framework. Economic and social development will also be among the Chairmanship's priorities, she added.

Acting President of Kosovo Albulena Haxhiu discussed with Iotova opportunities for deepening bilateral relations in numerous areas. An agreement on defence cooperation is set to be signed.

The SEECP is a regional platform for dialogue aimed at building trust, cooperation, and good-neighbourly relations in Southeast Europe. It was launched in July 1996 in Sofia, when foreign ministers from eight countries in the region adopted the Sofia Declaration on Good Neighborly Relations, Stability, Security, and Cooperation in the Balkans. Over the years, the number of participating countries has grown to 13: Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Greece, Kosovo, Moldova, Romania, the Republic of North Macedonia, Slovenia, Serbia, Turkiye, Croatia, and Montenegro, according to the Bulgarian President’s  Press Secretariat.