Your trusted source

Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian on Friday took part in the 37th session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) in Kyiv, Ukraine.

The event brought together high-ranking delegations of 12 BSEC member states, 13 observer countries and partner organizations, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported.

Armenia took over the BSEC chairmanship at the session.

In his remarks addressed at ministerial council session, FM Nalbandian talked about the BSEC agenda issues, the cooperation within the organization and its prospects, as well as the BSEC reforms and the necessary steps towards strengthening the organization’s effectiveness.

Minister Nalbandian noted that being committed to the strategic objectives of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, Armenia reiterates its support to the economic-oriented agenda of the organization aimed at the enhancement of the mutual regional cooperation, which derives from the statutory objectives, and the very essence of the BSEC.

Reflecting on Armenia’s chairmanship of the organization, Mr. Nalbandian said within the next six months in the capacity of the Chairman-in-Office Armenia will lead the organization with a focus on enhancement of the economic cooperation in the BSEC region, mainstreaming the project-targeted agenda through the existing structures.

The top Armenian official also highlighted that some unreasonable attempts within the BSEC Parliamentary Assembly to engage in activities separate from the organisation under the cover of reforms are in contradiction to the organization’s charter, PABSEC objectives and rules of procedure and affect the integrity of the organization. 

Commenting on the remarks of the head of the Azerbaijani delegation, the Armenian foreign minister said the Azerbaijani attempts aimed at misusing the BSEC platform as a tool to push forward its narrow political objectives impede economic partnership within the BSEC and it is hardly possible to expect any achievement within the organization if this platform continues to be exploited for propaganda purposes.

“Armenia will rely during its upcoming chairmanship on the joint efforts aimed at promoting the comprehensive regional cooperation and economic connectivity,” FM Nalbandian said concluding his remarks.