By Xinhua,
Ankara : Turkish President Abdullah Gul saidon Wednesday that member states should add a new dynamic to a regional organization in the Black Sea, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported.
Gul made the remarks when visiting the headquarters of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) Secretariat in Istanbul on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of its foundation.
He said members of the Black Sea bloc should leave behind the status quo, and add a new impetus to the group.
More cooperation in the region would not only contribute to economies of the member states, but also strengthen the atmosphere of confidence and lessen bilateral tensions, Gul said.
“Thus, stability and security in our region will be boosted and this is for the best interests of our region and the international community,” he said.
Gul also had separate meetings with BSEC Secretary General Leonidas Chrysanthopoulos, and diplomats of BSEC member states.
On June 25, 1992, the heads of state and government of 11 countries, namely Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Turkey and Ukraine, signed a declaration in Istanbul to mark the establishment of the BSEC.
Serbia later joined the bloc, becoming the 12th member state.
The BSEC is aimed at fostering interaction and harmony among the member states, as well as ensuring peace, stability and prosperity in the Black Sea region.