TIRANA, Nov. 21 (Xinhua) -- Leaders from south-eastern European countries on Friday called for stepping up regional cooperation to diminish consequences of the world-wide economic crisis.

    "The global financial crisis won't bypass the region. Therefore, urgent and coordinated measures, as well as increased regional cooperation, are necessary to diminish the consequences," presidents of south-eastern European countries said.

    Presidents of Macedonia, Croatia, Montenegro, Bulgaria, and Albania and a member of Bosnia's tripartite presidency attended the two-day forum at Ohrid, a lakeside resort 190 kilometers south of the capital Skopje.

    Macedonian President Branko Crvenkovski said that in addition to individual efforts made by each country in tackling the consequences, regional cooperation is necessary.

    "The cooperation must be focused on infrastructure -- road, railroad, telecommunications and energy. Investments made in these sectors are directly linked to the development of region's economies," Crvenkovski noted.

    Bulgarian President Georgi Parvanov said the region should primarily focus on the construction of modern infrastructural network -- in energy, transportation and communications.

    "It is of utmost importance towards ensuring stable growth and boosting the confidence and competitiveness of south-eastern European countries," he added.

Special Report: Global Financial Crisis