Azernews.Az

By Nazrin Gadimova

A forum of young leaders from 11 member countries of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) started in the Azerbaijani capital Baku on June 27.

The event is organized by the Azerbaijani-American Youth Social Association with the support of the Youth Foundation.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Azerbaijani-American Youth Social Association Vugar Ahmadov said the purpose of the forum is to increase the role of youth in the development of civil society, as well as build relationships between young people in the BSEC member countries.

Elmar Pashayev, an official at the Azerbaijani Presidential Administration's department for social and political affairs, also delivered a speech at the event.

"I'm so glad that the countries of the organization demonstrate high activity. This is true for our country as well, which is a clear indication of the proper direction in politics," Pashayev said.

Head of the NGO Forum of BSEC, MP Azay Guliyev welcomed the aspirations of young people in this area and said that the forum will result in the expansion and strengthening of relations between the youth of the region.

The MP said a decision to set up the Youth League of the organization with the head office in Trabzon was made in Ankara in May.

In his remarks, Azerbaijani MP Asef Hajiyev said that throughout history the Black Sea region has been in the center of attention and now those countries which are not part of BSEC are closely involved in its activities.

Such issues as territorial conflicts and their threat to regional security, and perspectives of international relations of the youth of the Black Sea region are on the agenda of the event.

The forum will run until June 28.

In 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 relations in the Black Sea region.

An important aspect of BSEC's activities is the development of small and medium enterprise and entrepreneurship in the member countries.

BSEC is an intergovernmental organization, currently consisting of 12 states: Azerbaijan, Albania, Bulgaria, Armenia, Greece, Georgia, Moldova, Russia, Romania, Serbia, Turkey and Ukraine.