Priorities of the Ukrainian Chairmanship-in-Office of the OBSEC were officially announced at Coordination Meeting in Istanbul

The Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Coordination Meeting on the announcement of the priorities of the Ukrainian Chairmanship-in-Office of the BSEC, which commenced on 1 January, 2013, was held in Istanbul on 24 January 2013.

The Delegation of Ukraine at the Meeting was headed by Mr. Mykola Melenevsky, Ambassador-at Large, National Coordinator of the Ukrainian Chairmanship. This information was provided to BSNews by Consul General of Ukraine in Istanbul Mr. Bogdan Yaremenko, the representative of Ukraine in the BSEC.

In his statement Mr. M.Melenevsky stressed on paramount importance to Ukraine of the successful holding of the chairmanship, intending to launch a set of initiatives which are aimed at reloading the dynamics of the Organization and increasing the efficiency of its result-oriented activities. In this regard, Mr. M.Melenevsky underlined that Ukraine will focus its attention on the promotion of development of multilateral economic cooperation in the BSEC region; practical implementation of the previously adopted decisions and agreements; enforcement of the BSEC project oriented approach through implementation of the projects and programs of regional dimension; elimination of the barriers in mutual trade, harmonization of the customs and trade regimes on the basis of the WTO requirements; strengthening of the Organization’s financial capability; promotion of the BSEC activities in the sphere of environmental protection.

The Head of Ukrainian Delegation paid a special attention on the necessity of implementation of the regional projects in the field of transport and called on the Member States to consider the possibility of signing the regional agreement in the field of the multimodal transportation. In this regard, Mr. M.Melenevsky expressed the sure that inclusion into the multimodal transport system of the combined transport train "VIKING" proposed by Ukraine will have a positive effect by contributing to trade and transportation in the BSEC Region.

During the Meeting the Heads of Delegations, as well as representatives of the BSEC Member States, Related Bodies, BSEC Observers, Sectoral Dialogue Partners and other guests congratulated Ukraine for having assumed the Chairmanship-in-Office and discussed the issues regarding the priorities and Calendar of events.  

During the Press-conference Mr. M.Melenevsky provided the participants with the general information about priorities of the Ukrainian Chairmanship-in-Office as well as the main events and answered the questions. 

BSNews