| Western Balkan development conference opens |
| 10 September 2008 | 15:39
| Source:
B92 |
LJUBLJANA --
A conference on the development of the Western Balkans has started in Tehnopolis Celje.
The Serbian delegation has refused to participate because of Kosovo.
The two-day conference on the development of regional stability began today. Tomorrow, the foundation stone for the new European Center for the Future of the Western Balkans will be laid. Serbian representatives will not participate at the conference in protest at the organizers’ decision to treat Kosovo as one of the countries of the region entitled to seek assistance from the future Center.
Slovenian President Danilo Turk said that ever since Slovenia declared independence from Yugoslavia, it had supported the development and stability of the Western Balkans, adding that the political steps of the 1990s had turned into commercial steps that would help the territory between Slovenia and Greece eventually become part of the EU.
"Issues that now seem difficult will then be solved the European way. Every issue can be solved through economic cooperation,” the Slovenian president said, adding that he was happy because Slovenia had assumed the initiative for the development of the Western Balkans.
Turk expects a synergy effect between the Slovenian, EU and Western Balkan economies.
Kosovo Transport Minister Fatmir Limaj said that Slovenian capital was already present in Kosovo and that Slovenia was already taking advantage of its position on that market. At the same time, he said that he expected Slovenia to increase its investment in Kosovo, and that other European countries would follow suit.
Tehnopolis Celje CEO Boris Klančik said that the Center for the Future of the Western Balkans would be worth EUR 60mn, and that it would include commercial buildings, adding that the Center should attract international financial and business investors to the region.
With this in mind, the financial center will be linked to other financial centers in the region.
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