Balkans Should Solve Its Problems Within Itself To Integrate With E.U.

ISTANBUL - Former Swedish Prime Minister, United Nations (U.N.) Secretary General Kofi Annan's Special Envoy for the Balkans Carl Bildt said on Thursday that the Balkans should solve its problems priorly within itself to integrate with the European Union (EU).
Speaking in the Conference on Security and Cooperation in Southeastern Europe held in Istanbul, Bildt said that atmosphere of security was ensured relatively in the Balkans.
Bildt noted that existence of U.N., NATO and international community was necessary for maintenance of that atmosphere.
Stating that EU Thessaloniki Summit showed that the future of the region was in the EU, Bildt said that atmosphere of regional security should be enhanced for that.
Bildt pointed out that peace agreement had not yet been made although four years had passed since Kosovo war.
There was dialogue in the region but it should be enhanced to solve political problems, Bildt said.
Bildt stated that war would not be tolerated in the region from now on. Therefore, he said, military forces should be diminished.
There was not any threat of attack coming from outside against regional countries, Bildt said.
Bildt drew the attention that the region should solve its problems priorly within itself to integrate with the EU and added that it was not possible for the region to integrate with the EU if it did not integrate within itself.
(BRC-AÖ) 26.06.2003