Press Release (96)100 25 June 1996

1996 NATO Economics Colloquium 26-28 June 1996 "Economic Developments and Reforms in Cooperation Partner Countries: the Social and Human Dimension" The 1996 Economics Colloquium, to be opened at 14.30 hours on 26th June with a Welcoming Message by Ambassador Gebhardt von Moltke, Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs, will focus on the most important aspect of economic developments in Cooperation Partner countries - the effects on individual citizens. From a security viewpoint these effects are reflected in the stability and social cohesion of these states, a point to be stressed in the Keynote Speech by Dr. Lajos Hthy, Political Secretary of State in the Hungarian Ministry of Labour. Following a review of the current economic situation, speakers will discuss specific factors affecting stability and will look closely at defence forces and defence industries. An effort will then be made to forecast future developments through presentation of several possible scenarios. The main presentations will be delivered by four panels, with 5-6 members each, as follows: 26 June 16.15 to 18.30 hours Panel I Balance Sheet of Economic Performance and Reforms in Cooperation Partner countries 27 June 09.15 to 17.45 hours Panel II Living Standards, Social Welfare and the Labour Market Panel III Armed Forces and Defence Industry in Transition Economies: The Human Dimension 28 June 08.45 to 14.00 hours Panel IV Scenarios for Economic Development and Social Cohesion Summing Up. A limited number of spaces are available for journalists (no cameras allowed). Reporting by journalists will be on a background basis, but speakers' papers will be available and may be quoted. All requests for attendance should be referred to Mr. Felix Dorough, tel: 707.45.43.