Parliamentary Assembly
Assemblée parlementaire

Doc. 10831
1 February 2006

Overcoming Remaining Obstacles to Economic Development in South-eastern Europe

Motion for a resolution
presented by Mr Högmark and others

This motion has not been discussed in the Assembly and commits only the members who have signed it

1.       South-eastern Europe has over the last decade – following the end of the succession of civil wars that engulfed the territory of the former Yugoslavia – experienced a considerable political and economic renewal. The countries in the region have gradually come to realise that conflict holds no future and that peace and economic reform and co-operation are the way forward, especially if membership in the European Union is to be realised.

2.       The time has now come to eliminate the remaining obstacles to continued economic development in South-eastern Europe. These include: at last freeing up the wholly insufficient trade and cross-investment volume between countries in the region from the shackles of red tape, customs barriers and obstacles to free capital movements and bank integration; intensified struggle against often endemic corruption, economic crime and smuggling; and institution-building, especially in the administration of justice. Action in these areas will require political courage as the focus moves from the conflicts of yesterday to the opportunities and challenges of tomorrow.

3.       The Assembly recalls its many past initiatives on behalf of the economic development of South-eastern Europe. The prospect of EU membership for many countries in the region offers a unique opportunity to address and overcome the remaining shortcomings and thus prepare for a truly dynamic and prosperous south-eastern Europe, integrated internally at the economic level as well as externally with the EU, the wider Europe and the world. The Assembly should therefore consider these issues.

Signed 1:

HÖGMARK, Anders G., Sweden, EPP/CD
AÇIKGÖZ, Ruhi, Turkey, EDG
BLANCO, Jaime, Spain, SOC
DRAGASSAKIS, Ioannis, Greece, UEL
HAUPERT, Norbert, Luxembourg, EPP/CD
HERKEL, Andres, Estonia, EPP/CD
LINDBLAD, Göran, Sweden, EPP/CD
LOBKOWICZ, Jaroslav, Czech Republic, EPP/CD
OHLSSON, Carina, Sweden, SOC
ÖHMAN, Conny, Sweden, SOC
SASI, Kimmo, Finland, EPP/CD
ZAPFL-HELBLING, Rosmarie, Switzerland, EPP/CD

1        SOC: Socialist Group
       EPP/CD: Group of the European People’s Party
       ALDE: Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe
       EDG: European Democratic Group
       UEL: Group of the Unified European Left
       NR: not registered in a group