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Addressing the summit, Mr Putin said that Russia is ready to develop energy cooperation with the countries of Southeast Europe, making use of all the experience of its work with the European Union, and will ensure that all the countries of the region have access to reliable energy supplies. The President said that transparency, fairness and long-term relations are the main principles underpinning energy cooperation.

Mr Putin noted the good prospects for cooperation between Russia and the countries of Southeast Europe in energy supplies, energy security and energy conservation.

The summit concluded with the adoption of the Zagreb Declaration, which reflects the interest the region’s countries have in intensifying and improving cooperation in the energy sector.

The Declaration states in particular that developing the region’s energy markets is an important contribution to general European integration. The parties also agreed that energy resources must not be used as an instrument for applying pressure in the pursuit of political objectives.

The Declaration contains a paragraph addressing environmental issues and states that the production, transportation and use of energy resources should not negatively impact the environment.

The summit was attended by leaders of the Balkan countries [Albania, Bulgaria, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia and Slovenia] and by representatives of the EU and OPEC.