Since its foundation in 1996, SECI has established a direct connection with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe (UN ECE) and the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), who have since the very beginning supported the idea of the creation of SECI. At a later stage, the establishment of the former Stability Pact for SEE, its subsequent impact upon the development processes within the region of South Eastern Europe, as well as the assumption by the SECI Coordinator, Dr. Erhard Busek, of its second capacity of Special Coordinator of the Stability Pact for SEE (SCSP), the Stability Pact for SEE also became one of the most important strategic partner for SECI and for the implementation of many of the projects initiated under the umbrella of SECI.