04/05/2000 (AGENCE EUROPE) - The Foreign Ministers of Greece and Turkey, Georges Papandreou and Ismail Cem, are "two great Europeans" and "model political leaders of the century", declared CFSP High Representative Javier Solana at the ceremony for the East-West Institute's "Statesman of the Year Award", presented to the two politicians for their "courageous and exemplary cooperation in the building of peace" in the region (for more on the prize, see EUROPE of 3 May, p. 5). At the same ceremony, US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright praised the work of the two ministers, observing that "the last century has taught us that America cannot feel safe as long as Europe is in danger, and Europe will always be in danger as long as its southeastern portion is in a belligerent state". "We have emerged from a period of political conflicts" and entered into one of co-operation, commented Mr Cem, and Mr Papandreou noted that the region is entering into an era of "radical changes", thanks in part to the Stability Pact for South-East Europe, which "will put the region on track for accession to the wider European family".