28 May 2001

European integration of South East Europe The theme "Key steps for European integration: promoting peace and prosperity in South East Europe" is the theme of a four-day conference currently taking place in the coastal city of Dubrovnik, Croatia, 28 -31 May. High-level participants are analysing the political, economic, legal and security issues related to the European integration of South East Europe. Subjects such as combating organised crime, improving the investment climate in the area, immigration, civil-military relations, regional military cooperation and future security in South East Europe are being discussed. Lord Robertson, will close the conference on Thursday with a speech on "NATO and Europe". The conference is organised by Wilton Park, an independent agency of the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, in association with the Croatian Institute for International Relations, and is co-sponsored by the Croatian Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Defence and European Integration and NATO. Participants came from Austria, Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia, Slovenia, the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (1), the United Kingdom, the United States and from regional organisations (NATO and the EU). Turkey recognises the Republic of Macedonia with its constitutional name.