Dear Excellencies,
Dear Colleagues,

First of all, I would like to congratulate Minister Kalfin and his team for the successful Chairmanship-in-Office of the South East European Cooperation Process (SEECP) and to express sincere gratitude for organizing this event in a beautiful city of Pomorie.

Dear Colleagues,
This morning we participated to the first working meeting of the Regional Cooperation Council Board. As I mentioned earlier, I am pleased to mention that it is a great achievement of the South East European countries that the RCC establishment was a process coming from the region, and not only from outside, proving thus the maturity of our region.

Now, when the RCC is launched, we should focus all of our support for its development and for the benefit of the region.

The advancement of the region towards the European integration requires the RCC to concentrate its activity on the pre-established priority areas. Thus, the Republic of Moldova fully supports the regional priorities and objectives and we will undertake all the necessary efforts and assistance directed to their achievement, in particular, during the SEECP Chairmanship.

Excellencies,
Allow me to thank you once again for the support and confidence in my country in taking over the SEECP Chairmanship.

The years 2008—2009 is a great diplomatic challenge for the Republic of Moldova, taking into account that my country chairs 5 regional arrangements in Central and South East European region, such as: Central European Initiative (CEI), CEFTA, MAG RACVIAC, South East European Heath Network (SEEHN) and SEECP.

Focusing on the priority domains in our region, the Moldovan Chairmanships will organize high political and sector events, bringing together the countries of the region and international actors, with the common interest to make a difference in strengthening our cooperation and building our common future.

The European integration is the main driving force of the reforms and development of the countries in the region. At the same time, the regional cooperation represents an important complementary mechanism aimed at contributing to the process of advancement of the countries from region on their path to the EU, development in accordance with the EU standards as well as access to the European liberties.

The process of advancement to the EU depends on the individual performance and merits of each country. Therefore, the Republic of Moldova as Chair to the SEECP will focus in its discussions with the EU on the intensification of the bilateral dialogue of the European Union with the countries of the region.

We support the advancement of the SEECP role as a “united voice” of the region and supreme political forum of the South Eastern Europe. The atmosphere and quality of discussions and decisions from the framework of SEECP have essentially contributed to its advancement and rapid development, thus ensuring the fulfillment of the generally recognized objectives and aims.

Within the SEECP Chairmanship, the Republic of Moldova will concentrate on the implementation of the SEECP political documents and will undertake all of the efforts on the advancement in all of the main areas of cooperation by organizing more than 15 political and sectoral events. Thus, I would like to kindly ask the Secretariat of the Bulgarian SEECP Chairmanship to distribute to the esteemed delegations the Priorities and the Program of the Moldovan SEECP Chairmanship.

Being convinced and considering that the European integration is the only way to achieve long lasting political, social, economic stability and development, we will also very much concentrate on the SEECP—EU dialogue.

Excellencies,
Already today the SEECP existence can not be perceived without the EU concepts, values, standards and principles.

The regional cooperation in the South Eastern Europe is developing very well, but there is a more need of the EU involvement, bilaterally with the South East European countries.

We agree and support that the pace moving closer to EU should continue to be dependent on the individual performance and merits of each country.

The European integration is indeed a strong incentive for the deepening and directing of the cooperation of the states of the region. More than that, the taking over of the SECP Chairmanship by the Republic of Moldova coincides with the new positive dynamic in relations with the EU of each of the South East European state.

The Republic of Moldova has achieved positive progress in implementing the RM-EU Action Plan, strengthening the cooperation with the EU in political, trade, Justice and Home Affairs dimensions. Our commitment to achieve the European integration objective requires the continuation of the internal reform processes directed to the adjustment to the EU standards and the advancement in contractual relations with EU, by the signing of the new Agreement, which will offer the possibility of the gradual access to the main four freedoms of the EU.

Dear Colleagues,
By concluding, I would like to state that it is our great pleasure to take over the SEECP Chairmanship-in-Office and we encourage you to actively participate to the events to be organized in my country and we will be very pleased to welcome you as our guests.

Thank you

Pomorie, Bulgaria, 20 May 2008