    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (1999, Book II)]
    [December 17, 1999]
    [Page 2313]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    United States-European Union Summit Statement on Southeast Europe
    December 17, 1999

        We reaffirm our commitment to the emergence of a secure, democratic
    and prosperous Southeastern Europe. We agree on the central importance
    of promoting democratic change in Yugoslavia and will remain engaged in
    enhancing the security of the region until that happens. We will
    therefore work together with Yugoslav democratic forces, including the
    Government of Montenegro, to promote such change. We support the efforts
    of the freely elected government of Montenegro to advance political and
    economic reform within the FRY. We will also continue our support for
    the full implementation of Security Council Resolution 1244 and for
    UNMIK and KFOR's efforts to establish in Kosovo a safe environment for
    all individuals regardless of their ethnic, religious or other
    affiliation. We will lay the foundations for an effective administrative
    and judicial system, just as we will continue our strong support for the
    work of SFOR and the High Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina. We
    call upon Croatia to take steps to ensure that its parliamentary and
    presidential election processes are free and fair, in accordance with
    democratic principles and OSCE standards.
        We are further strengthening our cooperation with all the countries
    of Southeastern Europe in fulfillment of the goals and commitments of
    the Stability Pact. Led by the European Union and strongly supported by
    the United States, the Pact has achieved much since the Sarajevo Summit
    last July, including specific steps to improve the investment climate,
    fight corruption, control small arms and light weapons, implement
    commitments on weapons of mass destruction, and advance democracy and
    human rights throughout the region. The countries of the region will
    play an essential role in implementing the Pact and have recognized the
    importance of accelerating overall economic and political reforms. There
    is now much work to do in the months ahead to transform the commitments
    of each country into concrete progress and to prepare for a Regional
    Funding Conference to be held in the first quarter of 2000. The European
    Union and the United States have made clear their readiness to provide
    assistance for regional reform efforts and to fight corruption and
    organized crime, build sound public institutions, mobilize private
    investment, and expand trade. We intend to work closely with
    Southeastern Europe to take full advantage of the opportunity before us
    at the verge of a new century to forge greater stability and advance the
    region's integration into the Euro-Atlantic mainstream.

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this joint statement.