European perspective of the Balkans and the policy of partnership, dialogue and reconciliation are the main conditions of stability and development of the region, participants at an international conference "New Balkans and European Union Enlargement," held in Milocer on October 21-22, a resort in the Montenegrin Littoral, said Friday.

The participants of the event, organized by the European Center for Peace and Development of the University for Peace established by the United Nations (ECPD), also noted that the European and Euro-Atlantic integration were the most efficient mechanisms for positive transformation in the Balkans.

The speakers at the meeting pointed to the need of enhancing regional cooperation, stressing that the EU should not abandon the policy of further enlargement.

They said that the Balkans still had a few outstanding issues, such as the functionality of Bosnia-Herzegovina, relations between Belgrade and Pristina and delays in EU integration of Macedonia.

It was said that all issues should be resolved in the spirit of democratic dialogue and strengthening of mutual cooperation.

President of the ECPD Academic Council Takehiro Togo pointed out that there were still challenges in the Balkans that might threaten regional peace, and that the European and Euro-Atlantic integration was the best framework for establishing stability.

The former special coordinator of the Stability Pact for South Eastern Europe Erhard Busek said that the Balkans was no longer major bad news in the media worldwide.

Certain positive developments have indeed taken place, but there are still some open questions related to the situation in Bosnia, Kosovo and Macedonia, he said.

According to Busek, the Balkans is still attractive for investment, and he believes the predictions about the bankruptcy of the SEE countries will not come true.

Former Montenegrin prime minister Milo Djukanovic said that the future of the Balkans was in the EU.
It is in the best interests of not only the Western Balkan countries, but also of the EU itself, that the process of EU enlargement continues, he said.

The ECPD handed Djukanovic a charter of gratitude for his contribution to the policy of peace and tolerance in the region.

Although it was announced, the conference in Milocer was not attended by UN secretary general Boutros Boutros-Ghali.