PanARMENIAN.Net
RA FM: BSEC can serve as bridge between Europe and its neighbors
15.02.2008 14:14 GMT+04:00
/PanARMENIAN.Net/ `A few months ago we gathered in a similar format,
with a similarly broad geographic base, to solidify the potential for
cooperation and collaboration offered by the ENP between EU members
and other countries,’ Vartan Oskanian, Minister of Foreign Affairs of
the Republic of Armenia said at the Special Session of the EU and
Black Sea Economic Cooperation Foreign Ministers Meeting.
`Our challenge at this meeting is in many ways tougher. Today we want
to build on the fact that throughout the Black Sea region, we share
history and civilization and values with Europe. This should make it
possible therefore to solidify cooperation and collaboration. Our
histories overlapped in the centuries when the world was much bigger
than it is today. In today’s shrinking world, it is inevitable that
our interests too, will overlap. Here then is the opportunity and the
challenge: to advance together when those interests coincide and to
avoid confrontation where those interests clash.
`It’s interesting that what we call the Black Sea today, in the
ancient maps was known as the Inhospitable Sea. Then, only a conscious
name change, motivated by a clear intent, transformed it into the
Hospitable Sea as it was known for centuries.
`The BSEC philosophy has been to include all those who depend on and
benefit from the Black Sea, even when sometimes policies and
approaches differ. Still, by bringing even divergent states together,
the chances and why not, the obligation, to cooperate multiplies. And
the capacity of our members and our organization to act, not just
respond; to initiate, not just submit, that capacity grows.
`As true as that theory is, it is also true that cooperation within
BSEC has not reached optimal levels that we have not lived up to the
Cooperation part of our name. But if we were not able, or willing, to
shoot for the greater good for our own sakes, perhaps we can do so
through the opportunity of a new role of bridge between Europe and
Europe’s neighbors, between our neighbors and Europe.
`Therefore, the Black Sea is not just a body of water, but a
definition of a potential geopolitical role in a modern world. Before
it was the focus of our geopolitical and strategic attention, it was
the thoroughfare connecting continents and peoples.
`Today’s discussion is about connecting markets and values,
institutions and experiences, thus protecting and promoting stability,
prosperity, democracy and security of the countries around and near
the Black Sea region and thus in and around Europe.
`The EU’s individual approach toward member countries and neighborhood
countries will be complemented by this regional approach. This too is
enlargement of a sort, but enlargement of a vision and of methodology
– of working together towards specific objectives for the common good.
`Armenia will chair BSEC in the second half of this year, and we look
forward to continuing to serve as a bridge between our old neighbors,
our neighbors,’ the Minister said.