VARDAN OSKANYAN: OUSTING OF BSEC MEMBERS FROM TRANSPORT PROJECTS INADMISSIBLE

Arka News Agency, Armenia
Nov 3 2006

YEREVAN, November 3. /ARKA/. Armenian Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanyan
believes that the ousting of some of the members of the Black Sea
Economic Cooperation (BSEC) from transport projects is inadmissible.

Speaking at the 15th meeting of the Council of the BSEC Foreign
Ministers, Minister Oskanyan stressed the inadmissibility of the
policy of ousting some of the member-states and of ignoring the
existing transport facilities simultaneously with efforts to form a
transport link.

Despite bilateral problems, the BSEC member-states have many common
features. To create a harmonious atmosphere for the settlement of
political problems these common features must prevail over differences,
Oskanyan said.

He also proposed studying the experience and new challenges and
carrying out necessary institutional reforms to enhance the BSEC’s
efficiency as part of preparations for the BSEC’s 15th summit in
Istanbul, Turkey.

Speaking of the expected membership of Bulgaria and Romania in the
BSEC, Oskanyan pointed out that it will create new opportunities
for closer cooperation between BSEC and the EU, considering common
interests and the membership of some countries in both organizations.

The 15th meeting of the Council of the BSEC Foreign Ministers was held
in Moscow on October 31-November 1, 2006. The meeting participants
adopted a declaration, and Serbia took over BSEC chairmanship from
Russia. P.T. -0–