Moscow says BSEC work should stay away from being politicised - Lavrov

MOSCOW, January 18. /TASS/. Russia has prepared a programme for its chairing period at the Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) during first six months of the current year and hopes despite political differences among the participants the organisation’s work will not be politicised, Russia’s’ Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during a meeting with BSEC’s Secretary General Michael Christides on Monday. Lavrov greeted Christides with his election to the position. "We are expecting anxiously cooperation with you, especially since Russia is chairing the organisation," he said. "We have prepared a programme for the chairing period, about 40 events. I hope, we shall implement the programme. We appreciate your support." "I hope despite of political differences, BSEC’s activities would not be politicised," Lavrov said. Christides said Russia’s chairing is "very important for the organisation." "We have many issues, where we could cooperate long-term," he added. On 25 June 1992, the Heads of State and Government of eleven countries signed in Istanbul the Summit Declaration and the Bosporus Statement giving birth to the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC). It came into existence as a model of multilateral political and economic initiative aimed at fostering interaction and harmony among the Member States, as well as to ensure peace, stability and prosperity encouraging friendly and good-neighbourly relations in the Black Sea region. The organisation’s 12 member countries are: Azerbaijan, Albany, Armenia, Bulgaria, Greece, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Romania, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine. Read more