Russia talks expectations from Azerbaijan's chairmanship in BSEC

By Azernews

By Rashid Shirinov

Preservation of positive, depoliticized agenda in the work of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) is among the tasks of the organization for the period of Azerbaijan’s chairmanship in it, Spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova said at a press conference on July 5.

“As far as we know, the calendar of events of Azerbaijan’s chairmanship is being formed. We hope that it will be aimed at strengthening the substantive sectoral interaction among the member states of the organization,” she said.

The spokeswoman also noted that Russia expects the ministerial-level meetings, events of sectoral bodies in the fields of energy, transport, culture, cooperation in emergency situations, fight against organized crime, trade, economic development, tourism, small and medium-sized enterprises to be envisaged.

“Russia would also welcome steps aimed at expanding the project-oriented dimension of the organization’s activity and further building up its project capacity,” Zakharova added.

Azerbaijan took over the chairmanship in BSEC at the 38th meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the organization, which was held in Armenia on June 27.

At the meeting, the country was represented by Deputy foreign Minister Mahmud Mammadguliyev. Azerbaijan will chair the organization for the period of July-December 2018.

BSEC was established on June 25, 1992, on the basis of the Istanbul Summit Declaration and the Bosphorus Agreement signed by 11 heads of state. The key objective of the organization is to support multilateral political and economic initiatives in the Black Sea region. The organization comprises 13 countries.

BSEC was established as a model of multilateral political and economic initiative with the signing of the Istanbul Summit Declaration and the Bosporus Statement by the heads of state and government of the countries in the region in June 1992.

The organization includes 12 members -- Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine. BSEC aims to enhance interaction and harmony among its members, as well as to ensure peace, stability and prosperity, encouraging friendly and good-neighborly relations in the Black Sea region.