Bulgaria stated that respect for the international legal order has no alternative and it is of utmost importance that the BSEC member states adhere to it and follow the basic principles and objectives of the organization
14 June 2023 News
The 46th meeting of the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the member states of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) was held today in videoconference format. Bulgaria was represented by Ms Slavena Gergova, Director General for European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. She stated that after three decades since its establishment, the organisation has become a model for multilateral economic cooperation.
The Director General stressed that our country strongly condemns the unprovoked Russian aggression against Ukraine. The challenges of the war have complicated the functioning of the BSEC and the implementation of economic cooperation, which is the essence of the organization. She reaffirmed Bulgaria's strong support for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine within its internationally recognised borders. ‘Respect for the international legal order has no alternative and it is of utmost importance that the member states follow the basic principles and objectives of the BSEC, which imply interaction in the spirit of friendship and good neighbourliness, mutual respect and trust, dialogue and cooperation,’ Ms Gergova said.
The Director General thanked the Member States for their support for the appointment of Bulgaria as the country coordinator of the Working Party on Small and Medium-sized Enterprises for the period 1 January 2024—31 December 2025 and regretted that no decision had been reached on the renewal of observer status and sectoral dialogue partners for a number of countries.
Bulgaria encourages full cooperation between the BSEC and the EU aimed at sustainable development in the Black Sea region and calls for restoring and maintaining peace and security, economic cooperation and ensuring long-term sustainable development in the Black Sea region.
Serbia handed over the BSEC rotating presidency to Turkey for the period 1 July—31 December 2023.
The BSEC members are Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Republic of Moldova, Republic of North Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine.