Thank you, Mr. Chairman.

I would like to join my colleagues in the EU to take this opportunity to thank Mr. Hombach for his dedicated and unceasing efforts, which have resulted in great strides during his two and one-half years in the office of Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact.

It has long been apparent to us that the Stability Pact's success would translate into security advances for all of us. At this time, it is even more important that the Pact receive the support it needs to move forward proposals that assist the governments of Southeastern Europe in their daily struggle against terrorism and organized crime, things that are sometimes difficult to accomplish.

The recently signed Memorandum of Understanding on Trade Liberalization and Facilitation, the Agenda for Regional Action, and the Regional Table are indicators of the success the Pact has enjoyed during the previous months' time. We applaud this cooperation and look forward to continued achievements during the upcoming Regional Conference in Bucharest, specifically on the Working Table on Security Issues. We agree with the premise that nations cannot separate internal and external security from one another, but must adopt a combined approach less they fail in both realms.

Again, Mr. Chairman, we applaud Mr. Hombach's commitment and dedication, which will continue to serve the Stability Pact, as well as the OSCE, for the rest of this year.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman.