Looking Ahead: Prospects and Potentials in the Wider Black Sea

The Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV) and International Black Sea Studieas centre (ICBSS) jointly organized a meeting called "Prospects and Potentials in the Wider Black Sea" at Yıldız Technical University on June 24th, 2007.

Director of TEPAV|IPRI, Mustafa Aydın and Vice President of TOBB, Halim Mete addressed their openning remarks at the beginning of the meeting. During her speech, Chairwoman of the Parliament of Georgia and President of Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), Nino Burdjanadze, indicated the importance of Black Sea region both in the area of energy security and as a transportation and trade route between Asia and Europe. Following Her remarks, 9^th President of the Republic of Turkey, His Excellency Süleyman Demirel, reminded the ideological roots of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), which was engaging in regional economic cooperation that would facilitate overcoming pressing domestic problems as well as the resolution of regional disputes. Mr. Demirel drew attention to the huge economic potential and natural resources of Black Sea region and highlighted the growing interest of the international community towards this region.

The meeting on June 24^th, 2007 at Yıldız Technical University was the final stage of a one year project, which was designed by TOBB University of Economics and Technology (ETU) and Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey (TEPAV). The Black Sea project started of a year ago that has aimed to analyze the potential of economic, political and security dimensions of the region. Three study groups consist of government officials, private sector representatives, and academics have worked together and have prepared a report. During the second session of the event, round table meetings took place and outputs of the report has discussed.