FOREIGN MINISTERS ADDRESS REGIONAL SUMMIT IN TURKEY
Anatolia News Agency, Turkey
June 25 2007
ISTANBUL (A.A) -25.06.2007 -The meeting of Council of Ministers of
Foreign Affairs of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) within
the framework of the 15th Anniversary Summit of the organization
ended in Istanbul on Monday.
Speaking at the meeting, US Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson
highlighted importance of the Black Sea region with its population
of 350 million, and said that they appreciated the BSEC’s reforms
and efforts to improve its relations with the EU.
Wilson said that the United States made a financial contribution of
10 million USD to the Black Sea Fund for development of rule of law,
democracy and cooperation in the region.
At the end of the meeting, a memorandum of understanding regarding
the Black Sea Sea Way Agreement was signed.
[In a report in English at 1123 gmt on 25 June, Anatolia says: "Joint
projects with the European Commission and reforms made by the Black Sea
Economic Cooperation (BSEC) are two successes of the current summit,"
said Theodora Bakoyianni, Greek Foreign Minister, on Monday.
"In a keynote speech delivered at the BSEC Council of Ministers of
Foreign Affairs meeting, Bakoyianni indicated that the BSEC has become
more visible in the European Union (EU).
"’Greece is working to establish a new EU regional policy and bring
a new dimension to the BSEC,’ noted Bakoyianni.
"Bakoyianni stressed that Greece will contribute to the Black Sea
coast highway and maritime journeys.
"Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov remarked
that the BSEC activities focus on multi-lateral projects such as the
Black Sea coast highway, traffic among sea ports and land highways.
"Lavrov noted that topics such as communication, information
technologies and health must be developed by the BSEC in the future.
"’We must have agreements among BSEC nations in the fight against
international crimes and terrorism,’ stressed Lavrov.
"On the other hand, Romanian Foreign Minister Adrian Cioroianu
indicated that ‘as a new EU member, Romania wants to contribute to
projects concerning the Black Sea region, including those on freedoms,
respect for human rights and economic wealth.’
"’The BSEC must have a dynamic relationship with the EU,’ said
Cioroianu."
At 1052 gmt on the same day, Anatolia added: "Bulgarian Foreign
Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Ivaylo Kalfin said Monday that
relations between Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and the
European Union have become closer in the last decade.
"Speaking at BSEC’s Special Meeting of the Council of Ministers of
Foreign Affairs in Istanbul, Kalfin said BSEC region has been an
emerging and developing region and current BSEC members have achieved
noteworthy transformations in terms of adopting free market economy.
"Stating that these were milestones for several BSEC countries to
join the EU, Kalfin said the region is important for Eastern Europe
and the Caucasus considering its strategically outstanding location
that covers transit countries for energy resources.
"Kalfin said there are still some major problems in the region such as,
human trafficking, and BSEC countries should overcome these problems
through mutual trust and cooperation.
"On the other hand, Moldovan Foreign Minister Andrei Stratan stressed
that all BSEC countries will benefit from this summit declaration to
achieve outcomes of the organization activities in Black Sea region.
"Albanian FM Lulzim Basha said his county will continue to support
projects regarding joint energy markets and construction of energy
corridors."
Finally, at 1027 gmt on 25 June, Anatolia reported: "’Black Sea has
united us for centuries, and we are in contact with each other today
through it (Black Sea),’ Armenian FM Vartan Oskanian said on Monday.
"’We should make use of this opportunity. But, water is sometimes
so deep that we prefer to stay on the shore,’ he stated during the
meeting of Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Black Sea
Economic Cooperation (BSEC) held in Istanbul within the framework of
the 15th Anniversary Summit of the organization.
"Oskanian appreciated economic activities of BSEC, however argued
that the organization cannot fully make use of the political potential.
"-RELATIONS WITH EU OF STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE, MAMMADYAROV-
"’We think that our relations with the EU are of strategic importance,’
said Azerbaijani FM Elmar Mammadyarov on the other hand.
"’Therefore, we think that establishing a more developed cooperation
and closer dialogue between the two organizations is also important,’
he emphasized.
"Claiming that there are threats against cooperation and development
in Black Sea, Mammadyarov said, ‘we can particularly show regional
conflicts as an example for this. Armenian and Azerbaijani armed forces
are coming face-to-face with each other in the region. And when these
norms and principles, and international law and state principles are
considered, I believe that a comprehensive regional cooperation can
be created especially in the South Caucasus.’
"-BSEC FACES SECURITY THREATS, BEZHUASHVILI-
"’EU’s joining us as an observer is a positive development. BSEC basin
is one of the most rapidly developing regions in the world. If required
economic development is ensured in this region, it will contribute
more to Europe’s security, and it can assume significant roles in
preventing international human and arms trafficking and proliferation
of weapons of mass destruction,’ said Georgian FM Gela Bezhuashvili.
"BSEC is important for Europe, and it will continue to be so as it
is situated on the energy route,’ Bezhuashvili stated.
"’BSEC, which will create a very important chain between the EU and
Central Asia, is facing security threats,’ Bezhuashvili pointed out
and added that regional disputes should be overcome by a comprehensive
cooperation."]