[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.