YEREVAN (ArmRadio)–Armenia was given the rotating chairmanship of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization (BSEC) on Thursday, assuming the role from member-state Albania during the organization’s foreign ministers summit in the Albanian capital of Tirana.
Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian spoke at the meeting about the need to raise the effectiveness of the organization by developing “mutually beneficial cooperation between the BSEC and other international organizations.” He noted, in particular, that “BSEC must foster cooperation in field of energy, the development of regional transport and communication infrastructures, and environmental protection.
Armenia will occupy the BSEC presidency until the end of April, 2009.
The meeting’s agenda covered issues related largely to the expansion of economic ties between BSEC member countries, as well as the development of relations between the European Union and the BSEC.
The agenda of the sitting of the Council of Foreign Ministers included issues connected with the deepening of economic cooperation between Black Sea countries, furthering the EU-BSEC cooperation, raising the efficiency of the organization’s activity.
The presidency was officially transferred from Albania to Armenia during a ceremony following the summit.