A lasting peace in South Eastern Europe as well as political and economic stability of the region are of key importance for Slovenia as its national security and economic development depend upon them. Slovenia, which officially took over the co-chairing of the working table on democratisation and human rights from Romania for a six-month period on 12 February this year, has proved its constructive role in the economic reconstruction and promotion of democratisation in the region. The country participates in all three working tables of the Pact.

It provided US$ 5.13 million for projects in the region, within the Pact as well as at the bilateral level, last year alone. Slovenia is in addition the major foreign investor in Bosnia and an important economic partner for other countries in the region too.

Among Slovenia's priorities during its six-months co-presidency of the working table for democratisation and human rights are the encouragement of democratisation, the respect of human rights, an improvement in inter-ethnic relations, the protection of ethnic minorities in South Eastern Europe, and closer co-operation of religious groups in the region. An additional importance is laid on the return of refugees to their homes, education, training of local authorities, inter-parliamentary co-operation, gender equality, and young people. Slovenia will also act towards setting strategic goals of the working table more clearly, consolidating the contacts between all working groups of the working table as well as a major integration of countries from SE Europe. Among the most noticable Slovene projects are the establishment of the International centre for Interethnic relations and Minorities in SE Europe, Regional Centre of Excellence in Public Expenditure Management and the International Post-Graduate School of Economics for SE Europe. Slovenia is co-financing the projects. The priorities of the working table on democratisation and human rights are stability, multiethnicity and multiculturalism in the region, the return of 1.5 million of refugees and displaced persons to their homes, the implementation of democratic reforms and the freedom of the press and free thinking In addition to co-presiding over the first working table of the Pact, Slovenia is also actively involved in the other two working tables: for economic reconstruction and development, and security issues. The most successful Slovene initiative in the latter is the International Fund for Demining and Mine-Victims' Assistance (ITF). The Slovene-managed fund has cleared more than 12 million square kilometres of mine fields. Around 400 mine victims have also benefited from the fund. The U.S. has supported the ITF since its conception. A total of 23 countries have contributed funds to the ITF. The fund is a leading organisation in its field in the world. UN statistics show that the ITF controls 13 percent of all humanitarian demining in the world. Slovenia manages the International Trust Fund for Demining and Mine Victims Assistance. Between 1992 and 1999 it provided over 100 million dollars' worth of humanitarian aid for 100,000 Bosnian refugees and in 1999 helped 3,000 Kosovo refugees. Slovenia is contributing its knowledge in numerous initiatives concerning interior security. Slovenia has also focused its efforts in the working group for economic reconstruction and development on the removal of trade barriers and on the assistance in the market economy institution building.

It is impossible to guarantee stability and economic prosperity in the region, which are in Slovenia's strategic interest, without supporting democratic values and the respect of human rights, the rights of ethnic minorities and the rule of law. Slovenia has successfully solved the problem of minorities' participation in public life and can therefore contribute to a multicultural and multiethnic society in the region with its experience.