site.btaNational Assembly Chair Meets with PABSEC Secretary General Ahead of November Forum

National Assembly Chair Nataliya Kiselova met with Asaf Hajiyev, Secretary General of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC), in connection with the preparation of the upcoming 66th Plenary Session of the PABSEC General Assembly in Sofia in November, Parliament's press office said on Wednesday.

Kiselova emphasized that the presidency of this prestigious forum provides an opportunity to focus more closely on Bulgaria's priorities in the Black Sea region, which include environmental protection and marine resource management for sustainable development, cultural and educational exchange and tourism, regional resilience and crisis management, the press release said.

Kiselova added that as the current holder of the PABSEC Presidency, Bulgaria is committed to promoting regional and international cooperation and supporting the economic principles of PABSEC in the context of the challenges facing the Black Sea region. "In line with interparliamentary cooperation, we will focus on cooperation with the EU and other international and regional organizations," she added.

Kiselova assured the guest that the institutions in Bulgaria are working in full coordination and making every effort to ensure the smooth organization of the upcoming PABSEC General Assembly.

The National Assembly Chair expressed her satisfaction with the fruitful meetings with the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the Chair of the Milli Majlis, Sahiba Gafarova, in Baku during the 65th General Assembly of PABSEC. Kiselova shared her high appreciation for the good organization, hospitality and results of the forum by the previous presidency.

PABSEC Secretary General Asaf Hajiyev thanked Kiselova for her commitment and hard work in preparing for the 66th General Assembly and emphasized his confidence in the high professionalism of the organization and the successful hosting by Bulgaria, the National Assembly said. He stressed that he highly appreciates Bulgaria's contribution to the development of PABSEC.

The meeting was also attended by the head of the National Assembly delegation to PABSEC, Petar Kanev, who presented the most important events in the organization's programme until the year's end and commented on organizational issues related to the preparation of the 66th Plenary Session of the PABSEC General Assembly.