1. PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY OF THE BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION
PABSEC
BLACK SEA ECONOMIC FORUM
Yalta, 26-27 November 2010
Speech by Mr. Mehmet CICEK
PABSEC Vice-President
Dear Mr. Chairman,
Distinguished Participants,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
On behalf of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, I would like to
express our thanks for the kind invitation to take part in the Black Sea Economic Forum.
In my capacity as Vice-President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic
Cooperation, I would like to brief you on PABSEC and its activities. The Parliamentary Assembly
of the Organizaiton of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation represents a forum of dialogue and
cooperation for twelve member states from the Black Sea region: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan,
Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine. Ever since its
creation, the PABSEC major objective was to provide support to the actions of the National
Parliaments on entering into force the legislation necessary for implementation of the projects of
the BSEC Organisation and ensuring legal framework for successful development of multilateral
economic, political and cultural cooperation in the region. We have three specialized committees –
the Economic, Commercial, Technologic and Commercial Affairs ; the Legal and Political Affairs
Committee; the Cultural, Educational and Social Affairs Committee – which debate and draft
recommendations on cooperation in different fields. It has a committee comprised of ministers of
foreign affairs from BSEC countries and a central bank with headquarters in Athens. Secretariat
General of PABSEC is located in Istanbul.
Dear Mr. Chairman,
Dear participants,
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2. Referring to the issue of your agenda, let me say that multilateral economic cooperation and
sustainable development were placed on the top of the Assembly’s agenda. In this field, the
long-term goal is to foster development and to deepen regional economic integration as a
building stone towards integration of the region into the European and global economy.
With this aim, the Assembly has fully supported the BSEC economic initiatives and projects
and has called on the Parliaments and Governments of the region to undertake
administrative and legislative reforms in line with the European and international
requirements.
Thus the members of the Assembly adopted Reports and Recommendations on issues like “Trade
Development in the Black Sea region” , “BSEC Free Trade Area: Part of the New European
Architecture” , “Promotion and Protection of the Investments in the Black Sea Region Promotion
of Small-and Medium Enterprises in the Black Sea Region”, “Economic Integration in the BSEC
region: Current State and Future Prospects”, “Shaping A European Economic Space”, “Foreign
Investments and Economic Growth of the BSEC Member States”, “The WTO and the Economic
Development of the BSEC Member States”.
PABSEC places particular importance on the trade liberalization and integration of the regional
market and, in its turn, on adjusting to the WTO rules, which are a unique and comprehensive
mechanism in regulating trade relations between countries. BSEC region plays an important role
in the world economic system and it needs more stable and predictable trade and economic regime
that is possible through progressive implementation of multilateral trading principles in frames of
the WTO.
The Assembly is committed to enhancing regional cooperation aimed at the creation of a proper
investment climate by improving the legislative framework in this field, as well as expressing its
concern and readiness to give necessary assistance in establishing a dialogue between the investors
and governments.
During our General Assembly held in Trabzon just a few weeks ago, we participated in the Black
Sea Business Forum, organized by the Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey
(TUSKON). The forum, which brought together over 600 businessmen from all the countries of
the Black Sea Region, represented an opportunity for bilateral business meetings and exchange of
views, especially in such a difficult period due to the financial crisis that affected our countries
too.
The Participation of Mr. Vladimir LİTVİN, the President of Supreme Rada of Ukrainian, in the
PABSEC General Assembly in Trabzon gave us special honor.
One again, I would like to take this opportunity to express my confidence for the Ukrainian
PABSEC Presidency in continuing its fruitful contribution to the achievement of the PABSEC
goals and wish all the success to the Verhovna Rada of Ukraine for their relevant efforts within the
PABSEC Presidency.
Dear Mr. Chairman,
Dear participants,
The role of the BSEC region in international investment flows has grown spectacularly in last
decade underpinned by widespread liberalization of trade and globalizing processes. Nevertheless
the share of the region in general investment flows is low in comparison with other regions of
Europe and the world. All the countries of the region need to consolidate their efforts for
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3. investment promotion both at the bilateral level and in frames of the BSEC through elaboration
and implementation of joint projects. National governments have to find ways of real integration
of the regional market that in its turn would lead to the effective investment policy.
I am well aware of the fact that the financial crisis had a great impact on the economies of all our
countries. However, the time of crisis is also the time for opportunities and should challenge us
and under these circumstances, this event is a timely gathering which will produce some guidance
for the way ahead. I do hope that meetings like the one that we have today will help you to
intensify and to further develop the dialogue and cooperation and to find solutions for the crisis
and the improvement of the trade and investments, for the benefit of our people and our region.
Dear Participants,
The geographical location of this union covering BSEC countries is the most vital region of the
world with respect to geo-politics and geo-strategy. It is a bridge inter-connecting Asia, Europe
and Africa. All human, political, cultural, economic, military movements developing along East-
West, North-South direction took place via these bridging countries throughout history, from Asia
to Europe and Africa, from Europe and Africa to Asia.
Today, natural gas, petroleum, underground and over-ground mines of Central Asian Turkic
republics, as well as all products of Russia, energy sources over a zone from Iran to China reach
the consumer states of Europe through Nabukho, Blue Current and similar paths. The Rapid Train
Line starting from London and extending to China via Turkey after covering the historical Silk
Road will connect Asia to Europe over this bridge as the world’s fastest means of transport.
In our present time when Europe displays indications of exhaustion and inertness, the unused
sources, human power and historical experience of BSEC countries will perform a revitalisation
function for Europe. The EU Parliament being aware of this fact, wanted to initiate integration
with PABSEC and carried out prior works.
BSEC countries should merge their existing historical, cultural, social, political, economic, geo-
political and geo-strategic potential with their young and well-educated human power to assume a
pioneering role in the developments unfolding in Europe, Africa and Asia with a view to rescue
from inertness. The TUSKON event that took place in Trabzon needs to be re-organised in all
BSEC countries.
Any cooperation between BSEC countries should be expanded with practical implementations.
Planned works should be brought into life.
The most valuable capital for each BSEC country is their values and historical experience.
My country Turkey shares its experience, material-moral capabilities with member countries,
pioneers in this respect, and the capabilities it shares with its neighbours render joy to Turkey. It is
because neighbours even need ashes of each other, as one Turkish proverb says.
I would like to thank you all for your patience. Let me thank in particular to our hosting nation and
founding member of our organisation, the Ukraine. I wish you a fruitful work and success in your
activities.
Thank you for your attention.
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