| Statement by Foreign Minister Ali Babacan, Kiev, 14.02.2008 |
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Statement by His Excellency Mr Ali Babacan, Distinguished Colleagues, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, I would like to thank our esteemed hosts for organizing this historical event. It is a pleasure for me and my delegation to be in Kyiv on this occasion. International focus on the Black Sea area is growing. Analyzing and understanding the reasons behind the growing international and strategic importance of the Black Sea area can illuminate our path towards the future. This region is at the heart of three major continents. It is on strategic transport and trade routes and energy corridors. It has significant economic and human potential as well as natural resources including energy. Last, but not the least, the region is seen as Europe’s final frontier on the east, with windows opening onto completely dissimilar regions, the Caucasus, Central Asia and the Middle East, requiring different policy responses. All these reasons that highlight the importance of the region also draw our attention to the growing importance of preserving the stability and security. The Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) was established in 1992 on the idea that stronger economic cooperation among the Black Sea countries would enhance peace and the stability in the region. Although it has fallen short of its real potential, lately the situation has started to reverse. It is viewed by the international community as an anchor of cooperation in the region. Current number of observer countries, which is higher than the members, is a proof to this fact. Distinguished Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen, When we come to the EU-BSEC relations, we may say that Observer status granted to the EU Commission within the BSEC will allow the EU to witness the activities of the BSEC and the opportunities and potential it offers for a mutually beneficial and fruitful cooperation between the two Organizations. Already three BSEC member states are also members of the EU. Among the countries of the BSEC and the region, Turkey is negotiating for membership to the EU, the Russian Federation is a strategic partner of the EU and Georgia and Ukraine are Partners of the European Neighborhood Policy. Therefore, the BSEC is already the natural partner of the EU in the region. In this regard, we know that some EU states are reluctant towards undertaking an in depth cooperation with the region and particularly the BSEC. Yet, there is a fact that none of the EU countries could neither underestimate nor reverse: Now, the EU has a common border with the Black Sea and this means that the EU became an actor in the region. Moreover, there is a second fact that EU countries should not underrate: the BSEC is the most inclusive and only fully-fledged international organization in the region. This gives the EU side an opportunity for a wide range of interaction in many sectors, where there is already a legal basis within the BSEC ranging from transport to soft security issues. There may be differences among the countries of the Black Sea region. However, there are also so many common features and values that these countries share. The important point is to have all these countries in the wider Black Sea area around the same table. And only the BSEC manages that regularly. Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Colleagues, We believe that the establishment of an institutional relationship between the BSEC and the EU will serve the interests of both sides. This meeting may also be translated as the inauguration of this relationship. Interregional cooperation should start with the areas where we can have enough potential for progress and benefits for all. Activities in the fields of environment, transport, energy, trade and combating organized crime would have direct effects and consequences on the lives of the people. Also, in the areas of telecommunications as well as science and technology, there is potential in the form of existing projects that we can make use of. There is a huge potential for trade among the Black Sea countries which have complementary economic structures. We should be able to seize the opportunity for cooperation in the area of trade. This can be in the form of trade facilitation or more ambitious schemes, subject to consensus by the two sides. Recently signed “Memoranda of Understanding on the Coordinated Development of Black Sea Ring Highway” and the “Development of the Motorways of the Sea in the BSEC region” will not only develop land and maritime transport in the region, but also contribute to the development of Euro-Asian transport links. The same approach also goes for the Trans-European energy networks. Mr. Chairman, Distinguished Colleagues, I would like to state my conviction that our two organizations, BSEC and EU, will seize the opportunity for mutually beneficial results in the Black Sea region. As a last word, I would like to reiterate our thanks to Ukraine for the warm hospitality extended to us all. |