BENITA FERRERO-WALDNER: WE NEED TO GIVE A REGIONAL DIMENSION TO OUR BILATERAL COOPERATION

Noyan Tapan
Feb 26, 2008

YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 26, NOYAN TAPAN. In an interview with Noyan Tapan,
European Commissioner for External Relations and European Neighbourhood
Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner presents the key features of the EU
Black Sea Synergy Initiative

Q. – Please present briefly the main points of the Black Sea Synergy
Initiative and its goals.

A. – Black Sea Synergy is a regional cooperation initiative of the
European Union for the Black Sea region which aims at developing
cooperation within the Black Sea region itself and between the region
and the EU. Through the increased political attention at regional
level and strengthening of ongoing cooperation Black Sea Synergy
opens additional space for cooperation with Russia, Turkey and all
eastern ENP partners.

Black Sea Synergy builds upon ongoing sector specific programmes of
the EC cooperation programmes. Main areas include energy, transport,
environment, trade, research and science, information technology,
fishery and maritime management.

Q. – The conflicts inside and between the Black Sea region (or,
as referred often, the Wider Black Sea) are usually mentioned as
impeding their cooperation and preventing them to feel as members of
a common region. Does the EU believe the initiative will help enhance
cooperation among the countries of the region and settlement of the
existing conflicts?

A. – Yes, I do. Even though it will be in an indirect way: Black Sea
Synergy is not intended to substitute for the existing negotiation
frameworks or to deal directly with these conflicts. Yet, Black
Sea Synergy tackles the underlying causes of conflicts, which
often include lack of economic development and lack of regional
cooperation. Moreover, our Cross-border-cooperation Black Sea programme
for 2007-2013 focuses on civil society, including people-to-people
contacts, which in my view may be a key element to facilitate solutions
for the conflicts you refer to; this is an EU programme very much
at the core of the Black Sea Synergy initiative. Like the rest of
EU policies towards countries suffering this kind of clashes, Black
Sea Synergy is an indirect means to create climates in which current
conflicts might be resolved and to prevent new conflicts from arising.

Q. – The initiative was presented last April. What is the reaction
of the countries of the Black Sea region to the initiative? Are there
any concrete projects? What are the perspectives seen?

A. – In preparing the Communication of April 2007, the European
Commission consulted all Black Sea partners and the general reaction
was positive.

There is broad agreement on the need for deeper EU involvement in
the region and in defining the cooperation mechanisms, goals and
priorities. We also agree on the main cooperation areas and the need
for closer contacts with the Organisation of the Black Sea Economic
Cooperation (BSEC), as well as with the other regional structures
and initiatives active in the Black Sea area.

The European Commission has formulated a working programme for the
coming years, identifying a large number of tasks. Some examples
are the development of sea transport, a regional dialogue on energy
security, an environmental dimension, the spreading of the successful
model of Danube-Black Sea cooperation on water management, civil
protection cooperation, the implementation of a cross-border programme
to strengthen civil society, fight against organized crime, a potential
platform on migration issues, and the development of maritime policy
cooperation and joint fisheries management.

Q- What incentives would the EU apply help the Black Sea Synergy
initiative progress?

A. – Black Sea Synergy stresses the importance of regional cooperation
for these countries. They know that stakes are high and do not need
specific financial incentives to make the initiative work. Regional
cooperation can deliver very positive results in the crucial areas
targeted by Black Sea Synergy.

Black Sea Synergy has no specific fund. However, planned Community
assistance to the non EU countries covered by Black Sea Synergy amounts
to â~B¬ 3.7 billion between 2007 and 2010. This means about â~B¬ 920
million per year, which represents an overall increase of 41% compared
to the period 2004-2006. We will stress the need to give a regional
dimension to our bilateral cooperation in the region. In addition,
the above mentioned EU Cross-Border cooperation Programme for the
Black Sea 2007-2013 of â~B¬ 17 Million will start later on in the
year. Finally, countries around the Black Sea will also benefit from
the Neighbourhood Investment Fund (â~B¬ 700 million for the period
2007-2013) and from increased European Investment Bank lending (â~B¬
3.7 billion over the same period).

Ed. The interview took place shortly before the 14 February the first
meeting of Black Sea Synergy at Ministerial level.

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