EU presents its strategy of cooperation in Black See region

The European Union has presented in Brussels its new strategy for regional cooperation under the framework of the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP), called “Black Sea Synergy”. According to a pres release from the EC Delegation to Chisinau, the document confirms that for the EU, the Black See is first of all “a distinct geographical region, rich in natural resources, with a strategic position at the intersection of Europe with Central Asia and Middle East”, “a large market with an increased development potential”, representing a “turn-table for the flows of energy and transport”. The European Commission specifies that this strategy of regional cooperation is not reflected “distinctly” by the EU general policy in the region, being treated like the pre-accession process of Turkey, of EU Neighbourhood Policy and of the Union’s Strategic Partnership with Russia. Commissioner for External Relations and Neighbourhood Policy, Benita Ferrero-Waldner said that with the accession of Bulgaria and Romania the EU has become part of the Black Sea region. “The time is ripe to focus political attention at the regional level and invigorate ongoing co-operation processes, opening an additional space for cooperation with Russia, Turkey and our eastern ENP partners. I am also hopeful that Black Sea Synergy will contribute to creating a better climate for the solution of the "frozen conflicts" in the region”, the European official stated. Black Sea Synergy will build upon ongoing Community sectoral programmes and initiatives in areas like good governance, movement of persons and security, energy, transport, environment, maritime policy, fisheries, trade, research, education, employment, social affairs, science and technology. Currently, in addition to existing Community funding for the countries of the region, a specific Black Sea cross-border cooperation programme is already in place which aims at stimulating civil society activities in coastal regions. Consultations between the EU and ENP partners could be held back to back with those of the organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), with which the Commission proposes closer contacts and intends to seek observer status. The states included are Romania, Bulgaria, Greece, Russia, Turkey, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan and Moldova. The EU Troika, composed of Javier Solana, secretary general of the Council and EU High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security, Benita Ferrero-Walder, European Commissioner for foreign Policy and the acting representative of the EU Chairmanship, Germany, participate as well. According to the Romanian press, one of the most important objectives of the strategy is the EU energy security and new projects for gas and oil supply and transport from the Caspian See via the Black See, by creating a new energy corridor. As regards the “frozen conflicts” under the new strategy, the Transnistrian conflict, a priority of Romania’s Presidency, does not prevail among. It is enumerated along with those present in Abkhazia, South Ossetia (Georgia) and Nagorno-Karabach (Armenia). At the same time, the problems in Moldova are not a priority under the framework of the new strategy, they being part of those from other countries in the region.