|
The Stability Pact is the first serious attempt by the international
community to replace the previous, reactive crisis intervention
policy in South Eastern Europe with a comprehensive, long-term
conflict prevention strategy. On 10 June 1999, at the EU's initiative,
the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe was adopted in Cologne.
In the founding docu-ment, more than 40 partner countries and
organisations undertook to strengthen the countries of South Eastern
Europe "in their efforts to foster peace, democracy, respect
for human rights and economic prosperity in order to achieve stability
in the whole region". Euro-Atlantic integration was promised
to all the countries in the region. At a summit meeting in Sarajevo
on 30 July 1999, the Pact was reaffirmed.
The idea for the Stability Pact arose in late 1998 and thus
predates the Kosovo war. But the NATO intervention undoubtedly
acted as a catalyst in strengthening international political will
for co-ordinated and preventive action in the region.
The Stability Pact is based on key experiences and lessons from
worldwide international crisis management. Conflict prevention
and peace building can be successful only if they start in parallel
in three key sectors: the creation of a secure environment, the
promotion of sustainable democratic systems, and the promotion
of economic and social well-being. Only if there is progress in
all three sectors can a self-sustaining process of peace be achieved.
Contact Details:
Special Co-ordinator of the Stability Pact for South-Eastern Europe
rue Wiertz 50 B-1050 Brussels Belgium
Telephone: +32 2-401 8700 Fax: +32 2-401 8712
E-mail: scsp@stabilitypact.org
|
