Brussels, 10/06/2004 (Agence Europe) - During the commemoration of the fifth anniversary of the Stability Pact for South East Europe, participants at the seventh Regional Table concluded that the mood in the region has changed since this EU initiative was launched after its adoption in Cologne on 10 June 1999. In Portoroz, Slovenia, the Pact's coordinator, Erhard Busek, said the democratisation process in the region is now irreversible although economic development remains a problem. According to participants, the opinion of the European Commission in favour of opening accession negotiations with Croatia is an encouraging sign for the region. In his speech, Deputy Enlargement Commissioner Janez Potocnik, of Slovenia, reaffirmed that the European Union's strategy is clear and without ambiguity and must result in the Western Balkan countries' integration in the EU. "This will require total commitment on the part of political leaders and public administrations", he was careful to add, specifying that, by investing in regional cooperation through the Stability Pact, a country also shows its ability to assume European obligations. The next meeting of the Regional Table of the Stability Pact will be held on 18 and 19 November in Skopje.