site.btaBulgaria's Chairmanship-in-Office of Black Sea Economic Cooperation Inaugurated

Monday saw the formal inauguration of Bulgaria's Chairmanship-in-Office (CiO) of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), the Foreign Ministry said. This took place at a video conference Coordination Meeting of the BSEC Committee of Senior Officials, the BSEC-related bodies and BSEC Permanent International Secretariat (PERMIS).

Addressing the participants, Deputy Foreign Minister Elena Shekerletova set forth the priorities of the Bulgarian CiO, reflecting the vision of a prosperous and united Black Sea community. The highlights are environmental protection and the management of marine resources for sustainable development, cultural and educational exchange and tourism, regional resilience and crisis management, cooperation with the EU and other international regional organizations.

Under the motto "Collective Commitment in the Black Sea Region", the Bulgarian CiO is committed to promoting regional cooperation with a focus on sustainability, cultural integration, and international partnerships, the Foreign Ministry said.

During a closed session chaired by Rositsa Stoeva, National Coordinator for the Bulgarian CiO, the calendar of upcoming events and initiatives to be held under the current Chairmanship-in-Office was finalized. More than 50 events are planned to take place. Bulgaria is holding the BSEC CiO until December 31, 2025, said the Foreign Ministry.

In late June, the government determined the BSEC CiO's four top priorities: environmental protection and management of marine resources for sustainable development; cultural and educational exchange and tourism in the Black Sea region; regional development and crisis management; and cooperation with the EU and other regional organizations.

On July 1, Bulgarian Parliament Chair Nataliya Kiselova met with the BSEC PERMIS Secretary General, Ambassador Lazar Comanescu. Parliament's press office quoted Kiselova as expressing a hope that Bulgaria would contribute to restoring peace, security and cooperation in Europe during its BSEC Chairmanship-in-office.