RA FM: BSEC can serve as bridge between Europe and its neighbors

PanARMENIAN.Net - "A few months ago we gathered in a similar format, with a similarly broad geographic base, to solidify the potential for cooperation and collaboration offered by the ENP between EU members and other countries," Vartan Oskanian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia said at the Special Session of the EU and Black Sea Economic Cooperation Foreign Ministers Meeting. 



"Our challenge at this meeting is in many ways tougher. Today we want to build on the fact that throughout the Black Sea region, we share history and civilization and values with Europe. This should make it possible therefore to solidify cooperation and collaboration. Our histories overlapped in the centuries when the world was much bigger than it is today. In today's shrinking world, it is inevitable that our interests too, will overlap. Here then is the opportunity and the challenge: to advance together when those interests coincide and to avoid confrontation where those interests clash. 



"It's interesting that what we call the Black Sea today, in the ancient maps was known as the Inhospitable Sea. Then, only a conscious name change, motivated by a clear intent, transformed it into the Hospitable Sea as it was known for centuries. 



"The BSEC philosophy has been to include all those who depend on and benefit from the Black Sea, even when sometimes policies and approaches differ. Still, by bringing even divergent states together, the chances and why not, the obligation, to cooperate multiplies. And the capacity of our members and our organization to act, not just respond; to initiate, not just submit, that capacity grows. 



"As true as that theory is, it is also true that cooperation within BSEC has not reached optimal levels that we have not lived up to the Cooperation part of our name. But if we were not able, or willing, to shoot for the greater good for our own sakes, perhaps we can do so through the opportunity of a new role of bridge between Europe and Europe's neighbors, between our neighbors and Europe.   



"Therefore, the Black Sea is not just a body of water, but a definition of a potential geopolitical role in a modern world. Before it was the focus of our geopolitical and strategic attention, it was the thoroughfare connecting continents and peoples. 



"Today's discussion is about connecting markets and values, institutions and experiences, thus protecting and promoting stability, prosperity, democracy and security of the countries around and near the Black Sea region and thus in and around Europe.  



"The EU's individual approach toward member countries and neighborhood countries will be complemented by this regional approach. This too is enlargement of a sort, but enlargement of a vision and of methodology - of working together towards specific objectives for the common good. 



"Armenia will chair BSEC in the second half of this year, and we look forward to continuing to serve as a bridge between our old neighbors, our neighbors," the Minister said.