Tripartite Meeting Among Turkey, Romania And Bulgaria In Cesme Ends

CESME (A.A) - 15.05.2002 - President Ahmet Necdet Sezer said on Wednesday that he believed the ''Urgent Humanitarian Aid Cooperation Protocol'' signed among Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania would serve its goal in the best way and it would further improve the cooperation in the fight with natural disasters.
President Sezer thanked Bulgarian President Georgi Purvanov and Romanian President Ion Iliescu in the joint news conference for accepting his invitation to hold the meeting in Turkey.
Sezer said that they assessed the stage that has been reached in the tripartite cooperation in the meeting, adding that they focused on the cooperation opportunities.
''We reviewed the recent developments in our region and we took up the cooperation opportunities with European and Europe-Atlantic institutions. We exchanged views about other regional and international issues that concern our countries. We stressed the importance of regional cooperation to improve the economic development and prosperity level. We were happy to see as a result of our friendly and productive meetings that we share the same views and the same resolution to further improve the good relations between the three countries, to increase and diversify our cooperation to the benefit of our nations,'' Sezer said.
President Sezer said that they accepted the invitation of Romanian President Iliescu who proposed them to hold the summit in Romania next year.
''The protocol we signed today and the two agreements which were earlier signed are the evidence of the fact that the tripartite summit meetings yield concrete and beneficial results,'' he said.
President Sezer said that they also discussed the Agreement on Terrorism and Fight with Organized Crime signed by the three countries in 1998 in Antalya summit and the security dimension of the relations within the scope of Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
''We reached a consensus of opinion to further improve the cooperation we have in fight with terrorism and we decided that our interior ministers should come together in the shortest time possible,'' said Sezer.
President Sezer noted that Turkey regard Bulgaria and Romania as its partners in EU and as allies in NATO in the future, adding that ''you know that Turkey believes that these two countries should be invited to Prague summit and become NATO members and Turkey launches efforts to this end. I would like to reiterate our belief here. I hope this meeting will contribute to the peace and prosperity of the whole region and bring new dimensions to the cooperation among our countries.''
JOINT STATEMENT ISSUED AFTER FIFTH TRILATERAL SUMMIT OF TURKEY, BULGARIA AND ROMANIA
A joint statement was issued after the trilateral meeting that was held between Turkey, Bulgaria and Romania in Cesme town of western Izmir province on Wednesday.
The statement focused on the possibilities to further improve the cooperation between the three countries and the importance of the trilateral cooperation.
The statement said, ''well aware of the threats posed by terrorism, organized crime, illicit drugs, arms trafficking, as well as the illegal trafficking in human beings, the three Leaders reaffirmed their countries' resolve to further coordinate efforts in countering the new types of non-conventional threats and responding to emerging global challenges. They expressed their strong support for the activities of Bucharest SECI Center for combating trans-border crime and encouraged further cooperation in consolidating its regional role.
The Presidents underlined the importance of sustainable development in South East Europe for a lasting peace, cooperation and good-neighbourliness. They expressed their countries' readiness to work together for the realization of the following objectives:
- Take joint initiatives for the finalization of the Memorandum of Understanding of the Pan-European Transport Corridor VIII; Further coordinate their actions in order to speed up the completion of Pan-European Transport Corridors, in particular Corridors IV, VIII, IX, X, and to ensure a rapid restoration of free navigation on the Danube (along Pan-European Corridor VII), with an overall view to developing an integrated transport infrastructure in the region, in connection to the rest of Europe; Also coordinate their activities for the development of Europa-Caucasia-Asia Transport Corridor (TRACECA);
- Initiate trilateral experience-sharing cooperation on information technology (IT), e-business and communication infrastructures to foster, inter alia, business, education, and regional contacts;
- Strongly support active involvement of the governmental institutions, private sector, business associations, chambers of commerce and other relevant organizations in promoting trade and investment and further increasing the free flow of goods, capitals and services, facilitating direct business contacts and free trade instruments, as well as their participation in the EU projects dedicated to the region;
- Support regional energy cooperation, particularly in working out a regional network for the production and transmission of electricity, and transportation of natural gas, oil and oil products. They stressed the importance of the creation of a regional electricity market. In this context, they noted Bulgaria's proposal to host a Regional Energy Coordination Center;
-In the field of environmental issues, exchange views and, where possible, to coordinate their positions concerning the implementation of the Black Sea Strategic Action Plan, the finalization and adoption of the ''Draft Black Sea Contingency Plan to the Protocol of the Bucharest Convention on Cooperation in Combating Pollution of the Black Sea by Oil and Other Harmful Substances in Emergency Situations'' and finalization of the ''Draft Convention for Fisheries and Conservation of Living Resources of the Black Sea,'' the statement added.
The statement focused on the possibilities to further improve the cooperation between the three countries and the importance of the trilateral cooperation.
The statement said, ''the three Leaders welcomed the positive developments since their last meeting in Plovdiv in the accession processes of their countries to the European Union, as well as EU's increasing level of engagement in the Balkans through the Stabilization and Association Process.
President Sezer, Purvanov, Iliescu reiterated their support for further cooperation among their countries in the process towards full membership to European and Euro-Atlantic structures.
The Presidents discussed the issue of NATO enlargement with a special emphasis on Bulgaria's and Romania's bids for early accession to NATO. They reiterated their strong conviction that NATO's enlargement towards South East Europe would strengthen NATO's military capabilities and provide NATO with strategic depth to, inter alia, combating more effectively against terrorism and non-military threats, such as organized crime in all its forms. At this historic juncture in reshaping European security, the inclusion of South-Eastern European countries in NATO would strengthen overall stability and security on the continent. They highly valued the joint Istanbul (13 February 2002) and Athens (29 March 2002) Declarations of the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania and Greece. They also pointed out to the added positive contribution of the Ministers of Defense to this end. The three Leaders underlined the usefulness of the Membership Action Plan (MAP) and welcomed the progress achieved by Bulgaria and Romania in all areas covered by MAP. Welcoming the Final Communiqué of the Ministerial Meeting of the North Atlantic Council held in Reykjavik on 14 May 2002, the three Presidents reaffirmed their clear conviction that at the upcoming Prague Summit in the Alliance will extend invitations to Bulgaria and Romania to become full-fledged members of NATO.
The Presidents expressed their readiness to contribute to the efforts of streamlining the Stability Pact activities and support its role as an important instrument to further regional cooperation, as well as the political, economic and social development of South East Europe. The three Leaders emphasized the need for a stronger engagement by International Financial Institutions (IFIs) in the implementation of specific projects.
The Presidents highly appreciated the results of the Tirana Summit of the Heads of State and Government of Countries of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) and expressed their satisfaction with the decision of the Summit to assign the Chairman in Office with the duty to represent the SEECP at the Informal Consultative Committee of the SP, and to explore modalities to develop closer links between the Process and the Pact. The three leaders emphasized that the SEECP, as the only initiative emanating from within the region, should enhance its effectiveness through a better utilization of the mechanisms available in its Charter, and act as a means of the close association of the Balkans with the decision-making processes of the Pact.
The three Leaders commended the activities of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), a well defined organization aimed at promoting economic and social development of its member states. They welcomed the upcoming tenth anniversary of BSEC and expressed their confidence that it will further consolidate its role in enhancing contacts between the business communities of the member states.''
The statement noted that ''The Presidents expressed their support for a practical follow-up to the process started in Istanbul with the EU-OIC Forum on Civilization and Harmony which will foster dialogue and mutual understanding between different cultures. They stressed the need to promote the fundamental values of freedom and democracy, as well as cultural diversity and tolerance, as essential elements of peace and stability.''
''The Presidents welcomed recent positive developments in the region which started to remove some of the sources of tension and instability. They observed that the prevailing suitable environment presents a unique opportunity for the enhancement of regional cooperation initiatives. The three leaders underlined that a continued international commitment is still of paramount importance to achieve comprehensive and lasting stability in the region.
The three leaders expressed their satisfaction with the successful process of democratization in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia. They welcomed the Agreement, which initiates the restructuring of relations between Serbia and Montenegro. They emphasized that this compromise on a future partnership state will positively contribute to FRY's aspirations to integrate into the European and Euro-Atlantic mainstream.
The Presidents also expressed their satisfaction with the November 2001 elections carried out in Kosovo with free and democratic participation of all communities. They welcomed the establishment and functioning of the institutions of Provisional Self-Government. They expressed their hope that the work of these provisional institutions in accordance with the U.N. Security Council Resolution No. 1244 (1999) would consolidate the centuries-old tolerance and solidarity sprit among all communities in Kosovo, and contribute to overall peace, stability and security in the Balkans. The Presidents, reiterating their commitment to the sovereignty, territorial integrity and inviolability of borders of the Republic of Macedonia, further expressed their satisfaction with the signing of the Framework Agreement in August 2001 and the adoption of the constitutional amendments set forth by the Agreement. They welcomed the adoption of the Law on Local Self-Government and the Amnesty Law as positive steps for the future of the Republic of Macedonia. They called on the authorities of the Republic of Macedonia to continue consistent and timely implementation of the Framework Agreement and the reform laws enacted accordingly.
Drawing attention to the forthcoming local elections in southern Serbia and Kosovo, as well as the parliamentary elections in Macedonia and Bosnia-Herzegovina, the three leaders expressed their hope that they all would ensure free and full participation, provide for equitable representation, and positively contribute to peace, stability and security in the Balkans and the whole of Europe.''
The presidents agreed to continue their Trilateral Summit meetings on a regular basis.
The next summit meeting will be hosted by Romania in 2003.