Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament black sea synergy - A new regional cooperation initiative
Date: 2007-04-11
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: Black Sea, cooperation policy, cross-border cooperation, regional cooperation

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 11.4.2007 
COM(2007) 160 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 

BLACK SEA SYNERGY - A NEW REGIONAL COOPERATION INITIATIVE 

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COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION TO THE COUNCIL AND THE 
EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT 

BLACK SEA SYNERGY - A NEW REGIONAL COOPERATION INITIATIVE 

1. 

INTRODUCTION – THE NEED FOR A REGIONAL POLICY 

On 1 January 2007, two Black Sea littoral states, Bulgaria and Romania, joined the European 
Union. More than ever before, the prosperity, stability and security of our neighbours around 
the Black Sea are of immediate concern to the EU. 

The  Black  Sea  region1  is  a  distinct  geographical  area  rich  in  natural  resources  and 
strategically located at the junction of Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a large 
population,  the  region  faces  a  range  of  opportunities  and  challenges  for  its  citizens.  The 
region  is  an  expanding  market  with  great  development  potential  and  an  important  hub  for 
energy and transport flows. It is, however, also a region with unresolved frozen conflicts, with 
many  environmental  problems  and  insufficient  border  controls  thus  encouraging  illegal 
migration and organised crime. In spite of significant positive developments in the last years, 
differences still remain in the pace of economic reforms and the quality of governance among 
the  different  countries  of  the  region.  A  dynamic  regional  response  to  the  issues  can  greatly 
benefit the citizens of the countries concerned as well as contribute to the overall prosperity, 
stability and security in Europe. 

The  European  Union  has  already  made  major  efforts  to  stimulate  democratic  and  economic 
reforms, to project stability and to support development in the Black Sea area through wide-
ranging  cooperation  programmes.  Three  EU  policies  are  relevant  in  this  context:  the  pre-
accession  process  in  the  case  of  Turkey,  the  European  Neighbourhood  Policy  (with  five 
eastern ENP partners also being active in Black Sea cooperation) and the Strategic Partnership 
with the Russian Federation. Moreover, the EC has contributed to a whole range of sectoral 
initiatives of regional relevance. (See Annex I) 

There  are  significant  opportunities  and  challenges  in  the  Black  Sea  area  that  require 
coordinated action at the regional level. These include key sectors such as energy, transport, 
environment, movement and security. Enhanced regional cooperation is not intended to deal 
directly  with  long-standing  conflicts  in  the  region,  but  it  could  generate  more  mutual 
confidence  and,  over  time,  could  help  remove  some  of  the  obstacles  that  stand  in  the  way. 
Given the confluence of cultures in the Black Sea area, growing regional cooperation could 
also have beneficial effects beyond the region itself. 

The  moment  has  therefore  come  for  increased  European  Union  involvement  in  further 
defining  cooperation  priorities  and  mechanisms  at  the  regional  level.  In  the  present 

1 

The Black Sea region (See Map in Annex II) includes Greece, Bulgaria, Romania and Moldova in the 
west, Ukraine and Russia in the north, Georgia, Armenia and Azerbaijan in the east and Turkey in the 
south. Though Armenia, Azerbaijan, Moldova and Greece are not littoral states, history, proximity and 
close ties make them natural regional actors. 

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Communication,  the  Commission  puts  forward  Black  Sea  Synergy  as  a  new  regional 
cooperation initiative of the EU. 

2. 

THE CHARACTERISTICS OF BLACK SEA SYNERGY 

It is not the Commission’s intention to propose an independent Black Sea strategy, since the 
broad  EU  policy  towards  the  region  is  already  set  out  in  the  pre-accession  strategy  with 
Turkey,  the  ENP  and  the  Strategic  Partnership  with  Russia.  The  further  evolution  and  the 
largely  bilateral  implementation  of  these  policies  will  continue  to  determine  the  strategic 
framework. 

What  is  needed  is  an  initiative  complementary  to  these  policies  that  would  focus  political 
attention at the regional level and invigorate ongoing cooperation processes. The primary task 
of  Black  Sea  Synergy  would  therefore  be  the  development  of  cooperation  within  the  Black 
Sea region and also between the region as a whole and the European Union.  

This fully transparent and inclusive initiative is based on the common interests of the EU and 
the  Black  Sea  region  and  takes  into  account  the  results  of  consultations  with  all  Black  Sea 
states. It would also enhance synergies with and build upon experiences of existing regional 
initiatives linking the Black Sea region to the EU, such as the Danube Cooperation Process.2 

Black Sea Synergy is intended as a flexible framework to ensure greater coherence and policy 
guidance.  In  assessing  the  usefulness  of  Community  support  for  particular  initiatives,  the 
active involvement of the countries and regional bodies directly concerned, including through 
financing, should serve as a key criterion.  

The  scope  of  actions  could  extend  beyond  the  region  itself,  since  many  activities  remain 
strongly  linked  to  neighbouring  regions,  notably  to  the  Caspian  Sea,  to  Central  Asia  and  to 
South-Eastern Europe. There would be a close link between the Black Sea approach and an 
EU  Strategy  for  Central  Asia.  Black  Sea  cooperation  would  thus  include  substantial  inter-
regional  elements.  It  would  also  take  account  of  other  regional  cooperation  programmes 
supported by international organisations and third countries.3 

3. 

THE MAIN COOPERATION AREAS 

At the outset, Black Sea Synergy would focus on those issues and cooperation sectors which 
reflect  common  priorities  and  where  EU  presence  and  support  is  already  significant. 
Consequently,  this  Communication  formulates  a  number  of  short-  and  medium-term  tasks 
related to these areas.4 

3.1. 

Democracy, respect for human rights and good governance 

The  Council  of  Europe  and  the  OSCE  have  set  standards  on  human  rights  and  democracy 
which  apply  to  all  Black  Sea  states.  EU  efforts  in  these  regards  are  principally  bilateral. 

2 

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4 

An  initiative  developed  by  Austria,  Romania,  the  European  Commission  and  the  Stability  Pact  to 
broaden and deepen Danube cooperation and give to it clear political and economic dimensions. 
Like  the  programmes  of  the  UN,  the  OSCE,  the  OECD  and  the  Council  of  Europe  or  the  Black  Sea 
Trust for Regional Cooperation of the GMF of the United States. 
Concrete tasks under Chapters 3 and 4 appear in italics. 

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Nevertheless,  actions  taken  at  the  regional  level  can  play  a  substantial  role  in  underpinning 
and  invigorating  national  measures.  Black  Sea  regional  organisations  have  in  recent  years 
undertaken  commitments  to  developing  effective  democratic  institutions,  promoting  good 
governance  and  the  rule  of  law.  The  EU  should  support  these  regional  initiatives  through 
sharing  experience  on  measures  to  promote  and  uphold  human  rights  and  democracy, 
providing training and exchange programmes and stimulating a regional dialogue with civil 
society. 

3.2.  Managing movement and improving security  

Improving  border  management  and  customs  cooperation  at  regional  level  increases  security 
and helps to fight organised cross-border crime such as trafficking in human beings, arms and 
drugs  and  contributes  to  preventing  and  managing  irregular  migration.  Successful  examples 
such  as  the  EU  Border  Assistance  Mission  for  Moldova  and  Ukraine  show  that  it  can  also 
contribute to the resolution of conflicts. 

The  Commission  will  shortly  present  a  Communication  applying  the  Global  Approach  to 
Migration  to  eastern  and  south-eastern  neighbours,  including  new  initiatives  on  better 
managing  migration  and  tackling  illegal  migration.  Important  illegal  migration  routes  run 
through  the  Black  Sea  region,  making  regional  cooperation  on  these  issues  particularly 
relevant.  

The  Commission  has  also  been  encouraging  the  countries  in  the  region  to  develop  further 
practical co-operation on countering cross-border crime in general, by channeling experience 
from other similar initiatives in South-Eastern Europe and the Baltic area. Further intensified 
regional cooperation will enhance the performance of national law enforcement, in particular 
in the fight against corruption and organised crime. Black Sea regional actors might usefully 
develop best practices, introduce common standards for saving and exchanging information, 
establish  early  warning  systems  relating  to  trans-national  crime  and  develop  training 
schemes. This could build on the experience and activities of the SECI regional centre5 and 
the BBCIC. 6 

3.3. 

The “frozen” conflicts 

The Commission advocates a more active EU role through increased political involvement in 
ongoing efforts to address the conflicts (Transnistria, Abkhazia, South Ossetia and Nagorno-
Karabakh)  and  has  proposed  that  the  EU  should  also  look  at  ways  of  enhancing  its 
participation e. g. in monitoring. Black Sea Synergy could offer one means of addressing the 
overall  climate  by  tackling  the  underlying  issues  of  governance  and  lack  of  economic 
development,  lack  of  social  cohesion,  of  security  and  of  stability.  Special  attention  must  be 
paid  to  promoting  confidence-building  measures  in  the  regions  affected,  including 
cooperation  programmes  specifically  designed  to  bring  the  otherwise  divided  parties 
together.  

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South-East European Cooperation Initiative Regional Centre for Combating Trans-border Crime. Based 
in Bucharest, it has several Black Sea states as members or observers. 
Black Sea Border Coordination and Information Centre based in Burgas. It provides information about 
illegal activities in the Black Sea region and fosters the exchange of information among coastguards. 

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3.4. 

Energy 

The  Black  Sea  region  is  a  production  and  transmission  area  of  strategic  importance  for  EU 
energy supply security. It offers significant potential for energy supply diversification and it is 
therefore  an  important  component  of  the  EU’s  external  energy  strategy.  Energy  supply 
security diversification is in the interest of our partners in the region, as well as the EU.  

The  Commission  will  continue  to  enhance  its  relations  with  energy  producers,  transit 
countries and consumers in a dialogue on energy security. This dialogue will promote legal 
and regulatory harmonization through the Baku Initiative (See Annex I) and in the framework 
of  the  ENP  and  the  EU-Russia  Energy  Dialogue.  This  would  be  pursued  also  through  the 
expansion,  when  appropriate,  of  the  Energy  Community  Treaty  to  Moldova,  Turkey  and 
Ukraine, also through the Memoranda of Understanding with Azerbaijan and Ukraine, PCA 
and trade agreements, WTO accession negotiations and, where appropriate, via other bilateral 
energy  agreements. The objective  is to provide a clear, transparent and non-discriminatory 
framework, in line with the EU acquis, for energy production, transport and transit. 

The EU is also helping the countries of the region to develop a clearer focus on alternative 
energy  sources  and  on  energy  efficiency  and  energy  saving,  which  will  release  important 
energy resources.  

The  EU  is  working  closely  with  regional  partners  to  enhance  energy  stability  through  the 
upgrading of existing and the construction of new energy infrastructure. In this context, the 
Commission is developing, in cooperation with its partners, a new trans-Caspian trans-Black 
Sea  energy  corridor.  This  corridor  will  include  several  technical  options  for  additional  gas 
exports  from  Central  Asia  through  the  Black  Sea  region  to  the  EU.  In  addition,  given  the 
growing  quantities  of  oil  transiting  the  Black  Sea,  which  have  led  to  increasing  safety  and 
environmental  concerns,  the  EU  has  a  specific  interest  in  developing  a  sustainable  and 
ecological  oil  dimension  to  its  co-operation  in  the  region.  Already  a  number  of  Bosphorus 
bypass projects are under consideration. (See Annex I) 

The EU therefore should encourage the significant investments necessary to achieve the above 
objectives.  

Finally,  for  the  medium  term  and  as  proposed  in  the  recent  Communication  on  an  Energy 
Policy  for  Europe7,  the  Commission  will  examine  the  possibility  of  a  legal  framework 
between the EU and the ENP region that covers the common interests of security of supply, of 
transit  and  of  demand.  A  feasibility  study  will  be  launched  to  determine  whether  it  is 
necessary  to  develop  such  an  overall  legal  framework  covering  producer,  transit  and 
consumer countries.  

3.5. 

Transport 

The  Commission  should  continue  to  actively  support  regional  transport  cooperation  with  a 
view to improving the efficiency, safety and security of transport operations. The EU would 
build on the experience of all the various transport initiatives relevant to the Black Sea area. 
(See Annex I)  

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COM(2007) 1 final of 10.01.2007. 

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With its recent Communication8, the Commission has launched a debate on how to enhance 
transport  cooperation  and  streamline  the  various  ongoing  cooperation  activities.  Efforts 
should  continue  in  the  context  of  developing  the  transport  axes  between  the  Union  and  the 
neighbouring  countries  as  identified  by  the  High  Level  Group.  There  is  a  need  for  close 
coordination with ongoing initiatives, which should lead to a clear division of labour or even 
a  partial  merger  between  existing  regular  events  and  structures.  The  TRACECA  Strategy 
until 2015 should continue to provide an important base for regional transport development.  

Transport  policy  dialogue  with  a  view  to  regulatory  approximation  would  remain  a  central 
goal. The Commission intends to assist in identifying those actions that will help to achieve 
uniform  and  consistent  application  of  relevant  instruments  and  standards.  Competitiveness, 
the  capacity  to  attract  traffic  flows,  improving  safety,  security,  interoperability  and  inter-
modality  should  be  decisive  factors  in  drawing  up  plans  for  the  future.  Aviation  safety  and 
extending  the  common  aviation  area  are  important  objectives.  Given  the  growing 
hydrocarbon transportation needs, maritime safety would be high on the agenda. In particular, 
the  practices  and  procedures  of  the  Paris  and  Black  Sea  Memoranda  of  Understanding  on 
Port  State  Control  should  be  harmonized  at  the  highest  level  of  performance.  The 
Commission proposes to fully exploit the advantages offered by short sea shipping and inland 
waterways, notably the Danube. 

3.6. 

Environment  

Here  many  regional  processes  exist  but  implementation  is  lagging  behind.  The  need  to 
address  marine  environment  problems  at  regional  level  is  recognised  by  the  EU  Marine 
Strategy and proposed Marine Strategy Directive adopted by the Commission in 20059. The 
EU Marine Strategy will require EU Member States in all regional seas bordered by the EU to 
ensure  cooperation  with  all  countries  in  the  region.  To  this  end,  Member  States  will  be 
encouraged to work within the framework of regional seas conventions – including the Black 
Sea Commission. (See Annex I) Community accession to the Convention on the Protection of 
the Black Sea against Pollution is a priority. 

Countries  of  the  Black  Sea  region  need  to  enhance  implementation  of  multilateral 
environmental  agreements  and  establish  a  more  strategic  environment  co-operation  in  the 
region. In this respect, the approach of the DABLAS Task Force, in cooperating on improving 
water investments, could be replicated for other regional environment issues such as nature 
protection,  waste  management,  industrial  or  air  pollution  in  so  far  as  a  regional  approach 
would  bring  true  benefits.  The  Commission  should  also  promote  regional-level  activities  to 
combat climate change, in particular by making use of the joint implementation of the clean 
development mechanism of the Kyoto Protocol and engage the Black Sea Region countries in 
international  discussions  on  future  action.  Other  mechanisms  could  be  explored,  such  as  a 
longer-term development of national emissions-trading schemes in the region. 

3.7.  Maritime Policy 

Black  Sea  Synergy  provides  an  opportunity  for  dialogue  on  the  emerging  holistic  maritime 
policy of the Union which aims to maximise sustainable growth and job creation in sea related 

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COM(2007)  32  final  “Guidelines  for  Transport  in  Europe  and  the  Neighbouring  Regions”.  This 
Communication, building on the High Level Group recommendations, outlines the first steps for closer 
integration of the EU transport system with that of the neighbouring countries. 
COM(2005) 504 and COM(2005) 505 of 24 October 2005. 

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sectors  and  coastal  regions.  This  would  include  building  a  network  of  clusters  of  maritime 
cross-sectoral  co-operation  among  services,  industries  and  scientific  institutions  and  also 
improving cooperation and integration on the surveillance of the sea, with a view to safety 
and security of shipping and environmental protection.  

3.8. 

Fisheries 

The Black Sea is an important fishing region and the majority of its stocks are trans-boundary. 
A number of these are in a bad state and action at regional level is therefore needed to help 
them  to  recover.  The  EU  would  seek  to  promote  sustainable  development  through  fisheries 
management,  research,  data  collection  and  stock  assessment  in  the  Black  Sea  region.  New 
ways to ensure sustainable and responsible use of fisheries resources in the region should be 
the 
explored.  The  possibilities  offered  by 
Mediterranean, which includes the Black Sea in its mandate, should be better used.  

the  General  Fisheries  Commission  for 

3.9. 

Trade  

The EU is an important economic and trading partner for the Black Sea countries, and closer 
economic  cooperation  ties  and  preferential  trade  relations  are  an  important  element  of  our 
relationship.  The  WTO  accession  of  all  Black  Sea  states  and  our  negotiations  on  successor 
agreements  to  the  PCAs  with  Russia  and  Ukraine  will  be  an  important  step  towards  trade 
liberalisation in the region and the EU will continue to support that process.  

The  implementation  of  the  ENP  Action  Plans'  trade  and  economic  provisions,  in  particular 
further market economy reforms and progressive regulatory approximation of legislation and 
practices to the EU trade-related acquis continue to play an important role in regional trade-
facilitation and integration.  

Black Sea regional cooperation organizations have put forward several initiatives to develop 
free trade areas. In principle, the EU welcomes steps that serve genuine trade liberalisation, to 
the  extent  that  these  are  compatible  with  the  multilateral  trade  regime  and  reflect  existing 
agreements between the EC and the states concerned. Any initiative should take due account 
of  the  fact  that  EU  Member  States  and  countries  bound  to  the  EU’s  common  commercial 
policy by a customs union cannot autonomously participate in regional free trade schemes.  

3.10.  Research and Education Networks 

The  Commission  intends  to  stimulate  the  interconnection  of  all  countries  in  the  area  to  the 
pan- European research backbone GEANT. 

There is mutual interest in providing high-speed connectivity between research and education 
communities  and  in  promoting  legal  and  regulatory  harmonisation  of  these  countries' 
frameworks with the EU framework. This would require the establishment of independent and 
efficient  regulatory  authorities.  Furthermore,  there  is  a  need  to  promote  the  deployment  of 
broadband infrastructure and the introduction of online services in the field of e-Government, 
e-Business, e-Health and the use of ICT in education and research.  

The  Tempus  programme  will  serve  as  a  useful  instrument  for  establishing  cooperation 
projects between universities in the EU and Black Sea region, focusing on higher education 
reform. 

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3.11. 

Science and Technology (S&T) 

The  Commission  intends  to  promote  capacity-building  and  S&T  policy  dialogue  with  the 
Black  Sea  countries,  in  particular  through  the  new  instruments  available  under  the  7th 
Research  Framework  Programme  (FP7).  It  will  ensure  the  inclusion  of  specific  research 
activities and topics of mutual interest in FP7 work programmes and will promote synergies 
between FP7-funded activities and other appropriate EC financial instruments. 

3.12.  Employment and social affairs 

The  partner  countries  of  the  Black  Sea  region  face  similar  challenges,  like  high 
unemployment, a widespread informal economy, as well as issues related to the promotion of 
decent work, such as social dialogue, social protection and gender equality. Fighting poverty 
and social exclusion is highlighted in several ENP Action Plans. Better integration of ethnic 
minorities and combating discrimination are key concerns for social cohesion in many of the 
Black  Sea  partner  countries.  Cooperation  at  regional  level  on  these  issues  could  provide 
additional  value,  particularly  when  it  comes  to  the  exchange  of  information  and  best 
practices,  as  well  as  awareness-raising  initiatives,  including  training  programmes  for 
relevant officials, social partners and civil society organizations. The EU should support such 
activities through appropriate technical assistance programmes. 

3.13.  Regional Development 

With the accession of Bulgaria and Romania,  European  Union  Regional  Policy  funding  has 
become available to the Black Sea coastline for the first time. Regional Policy programmes in 
these  two  Member  States  will  contribute  to  improving  their  costal  regions’  competitiveness 
and environmental situation in particular, via a special focus on the Lisbon and Gothenburg 
agendas. Lessons learned in these programmes will be able to be shared around the Black Sea 
via the co-operation programmes mentioned in Section 4. 

4. 

CROSS-BORDER  COOPERATION  (CBC)  AND  THE  ROLE  OF  LOCAL  AND  CIVIL 
SOCIETY ACTORS 

The  Commission  has  established  a  Black  Sea  CBC  programme  under  the  European 
Neighbourhood and Partnership Instrument (ENPI). This “sea basin programme” focuses on 
supporting  civil  society  and  local  level  cooperation  in  Black  Sea  coastal  areas.  The 
programme will be managed locally in the region, with the partners taking joint responsibility 
for its implementation. 

This programme facilitates the further development of contacts between Black Sea towns and 
communities,  universities,  cultural  operators  and  civil  society  organisations,  including 
consumer organisations. This can play a particularly important role in conflict areas, where 
civil society actors are especially useful for the development of cooperation with and among 
inhabitants. 

In  addition,  there  will  be  new  cross-border  co-operation  programmes  between  Bulgaria  and 
Romania (funded from the European Regional Development Fund) and between Bulgaria and 
Turkey (funded from the Instrument for Pre-Accession). These will both allow for maritime 
and  coastal  actions  that  will  enhance  the  development  of  links  and  co-operation  along  the 
western coast of the Black Sea. 

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5. 

THE STRENGTHENING OF THE ENP 

Five countries of the Black Sea region are ENP partners. The strengthening of the European 
Neighbourhood  Policy,  including  the  building  of  a  thematic  dimension  to  the  ENP  and  the 
gradual development of deep and comprehensive Free Trade Agreements, would enrich Black 
Sea  cooperation.  The  removal  of  obstacles  to  legitimate  travel,  the  new  scholarship  scheme 
under  the  External  Cooperation  Window  of  the  Erasmus  Mundus  programme  as  well  as 
greater cooperation between universities could help facilitating regional contacts.  

The  proposed  Neighbourhood  Investment  Facility,  for  the  countries  with  ENP  Action  Plans, 
could  contribute  to  the  preparation  and  co-financing  of  infrastructure  investments,  in 
particular  in  the  areas  of  energy,  transport  and  environment  and  in  close  co-operation  with 
International Financial Institutions, notably the EIB and EBRD. 

6. 

THE ROLE OF REGIONAL ORGANISATONS  

The Commission is not proposing the creation of new institutions or bureaucratic structures. 
The  Black  Sea  states  would  remain  the  EU’s  main  interlocutors,  whether  in  a  bilateral 
framework or during discussions at the regional level. The bulk of the EC’s contribution will 
continue  to  be  provided  through  the  established  sectoral  programmes  managed  by  the 
Commission.  

The  EU,  however,  should  be  ready  to  strengthen  contacts  with  regional  organisations.  The 
EU's Black Sea regional initiative aims at a comprehensive approach including all countries in 
the  region;  therefore  the  wide  membership  of  the  Organisation  of  the  Black  Sea  Economic 
Cooperation  (BSEC)10  and  the  fact  that  Russia  and  Turkey  are  its  founding  members  is  a 
decisive advantage and could substantially contribute to the success of Black Sea Synergy. 

EU-BSEC links would serve primarily for dialogue at the regional level. This might include 
meetings between senior officials with a view to better coordinate concrete projects.  

A kick-off high-level political event would provide political orientation and visibility to EU 
Black  Sea  Synergy.  Should  Black  Sea  Synergy  partners  so  decide  in  the  light  of  tangible 
progress,  regular  ministerial  meetings  might  take  place,  attended  by  the  EU  and  BSEC 
countries.  Meetings  between  the  EU  and  ENP  partners  from  the  Black  Sea  region  could  be 
organized back to back with these meetings and provide an opportunity for consultations on 
ENP-related questions. Black Sea Synergy would also take advantage of the useful contacts 
already existing between the European Parliament and the Parliamentary Assembly of BSEC. 

At  present  seven  EU  Member  States  have  observer  status  with  BSEC.11  Responding  to 
BSEC’s  initiative,  the  Commission  intends  to  also  seek  observer  status  and  to  support  EU 
Member States’ application for observer status. 

At  the  same  time,  the  Commission  will  remain  open  to  all  appropriate  cooperation 
possibilities that might be provided by other regional bodies and initiatives. Given its focus on 

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BSEC  was  established  in  1992  and  transformed  into  an  international  organization  in  1999.  Initially 
concentrated on economic cooperation, but its focus has been gradually enlarged. Membership includes 
all Black Sea countries as listed in footnote 1 plus Albania and Serbia. 
The Czech Republic, Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Poland and Slovakia 

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regional partnerships and networks, the Black Sea Forum12 could be particularly useful at the 
non-governmental, civil society level.  

7. 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT 

As  a  general  principle,  co-financing  would  be  applied.  Where  appropriate,  Community 
financial support could be available under the national, regional and cross-border programmes 
of the ENPI, other external assistance instruments and, for EU Member States, the European 
Regional  Development  Fund.  The  increased  flexibility  of  the  new  EC  funding  instruments 
should facilitate the funding of regional cooperation initiatives. 

The  regional  activities  of  the  EBRD  and  the  EIB  as  well  as  the  Black  Sea  Trade  and 
Development  Bank13  are  already  significant  and  Black  Sea  Synergy  could  offer  new 
possibilities,  including  the  development  of  mechanisms  for  joint  financing,  making  use  of 
experience gained with schemes like the Northern Dimension partnerships.  

8. 

CONCLUSION  

The  Black  Sea  regional  constellation  has  substantially  changed  in  the  past  years  and  will 
continue  to  evolve.  In  these  conditions,  the  EU’s  new  regional  cooperation  initiative  would 
usefully complement its existing wide-ranging bilateral and sectoral activities.  

The  European  Union’s  presence  in  the  Black  Sea  region  opens  a  window  on  fresh 
perspectives and opportunities. This requires a more coherent, longer-term effort which would 
help to fully seize these opportunities, to bring increased stability and prosperity to the region. 
Greater EU engagement in Black Sea regional cooperation will contribute to this objective. 

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The Black Sea Forum is a Romanian initiative. 
The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB) is based in Thessaloniki. Shareholders are the 
founding BSEC member states. 

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ANNEX I 

Recent and Ongoing EU activities at regional level 

Already  in  a  1997  Communication14,  the  Commission  stressed  the  need  to  support 
cooperation  in  the  Black  Sea  region  and  suggested  appropriate  areas  for  Community 
programmes.  In  the  ensuing  period  the  EC  has  contributed  to  a  number  of  initiatives  and 
cooperation programmes of regional relevance, notably:  

1. 

THE BAKU INITIATIVE 

This  is  a  framework  to  enhance  cooperation  in  both  the  energy  and  transport  fields  and  to 
stimulate progressive convergence towards EC principles. 

2. 

THE INOGATE PROGRAMME 

The INterstate Oil and GAs To Europe pipelines, INOGATE, improves the security of energy 
supply  through  multi-annual  technical  assistance  programmes.  It  is  supported  by  the  EU-
Black  Sea  and  Caspian  Sea  Basin  and  its  Neighbouring  Countries  Energy  Cooperation 
Secretariat, as was agreed at the Astana Ministerial Conference on 30 November 2006. 

3. 

ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE 

The Commission has been working with others on upgrading the energy infrastructure. Major 
projects  have  been  carried  out,  including  the  Baku-Supsa  and  the  Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan  oil 
pipelines as well as the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzerum gas pipeline. Furthermore, a number of projects 
of  new  energy  infrastructure  are  currently  considered.  These  include  the  reversal  of  the 
Brody-Odessa  pipeline  and  its  extension  to  Plock  in  Poland,  as  well  as  the  Constanza-
Omisalj-Trieste,  Burgas-Vlore  and  Burgas-Alexandroupolis  oil  pipelines.  In  addition,  the 
Commission  has  acted  as  a  catalyst  for  the  agreement  between  Greece  and  Turkey  for  the 
completion of a gas pipeline linking the two countries with a possible extension to Italy.  

4. 

TRACECA 

The  TRAnsport  Corridor  Europe  Caucasus  Central  Asia  (TRACECA)  programme  provides 
technical  assistance  covering  road,  rail,  aviation  and  maritime  transport  connections  from 
Central  Asia  to  Europe.  It  was  originally  a  Community  programme  but  since  1999  it  is 
regulated by a multilateral agreement with intergovernmental structures. 

5. 

HIGH LEVEL GROUP INITIATIVES 

In 2004, the European Commission established the High Level Group on the Extension of the 
Major Trans-European Transport Axes to the Neighbouring Countries and Regions. The HLG 

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COM(97) 597 final. Communication on Regional Cooperation in the Black Sea Area 

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delivered its recommendations in December 2005. Many of the initiatives put forward by the 
High Level Group are pertinent to the Black Sea region.  

6. 

ENVIRONMENT 

The Commission actively contributes to the work of the Black Sea Commission, the executive 
body  of  the  Convention  on  the  Protection  of  the  Black  Sea  against  Pollution,  which  was 
signed  in  1992  by  the  six  littoral  states.  Furthermore,  the  Commission  chairs  the  Danube 
Black Sea Task Force, which was set up by the countries of the Danube-Black Sea region in 
2001 to encourage a strategic focus on investments in the field of water. 

7. 

CONFLICT RESOLUTION 

The  Commission  has  contributed  to  activities  aiming  at  conflict  resolution,  notably  through 
the Border Assistance Mission for Moldova and Ukraine. 

8. 

NATIONAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION NETWORKS 

The interconnection of the National Research and Education Networks (NRENs) to the pan-
European research backbone GEANT has been achieved for all the European Union Member 
States  and  Candidate  Countries.  As  regards  Moldova  and  the  Caucasus  countries,  they  are 
only linked with very limited capacity, while the Ukraine is not linked at all, which constitutes 
a  major  blocking  factor  to  the  further  development  of  research  and  education  efforts  in  the 
region. 

9. 

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY 

Efforts to consolidate the potential of the Black Sea countries and to establish stronger links 
with the scientific community of the EU were spearheaded by the INCO Programme of the 6th 
Framework  Programme  for  Science,  Technology  and  Development  (2002-2006).  This 
programme was aimed at the Bulgaria, Romania and Turkey as well as eastern ENP partners. 
The  Framework  Programme  included  additional  and  substantial  cooperation  with  the  latter, 
particularly  through  the  INTAS  Programme  which  focused  on  cooperation  between  the  EU 
and  Eastern  Europe  and  Central  Asia.  In  September  2005,  the  Ministers  of  countries  that 
belong  to  BSEC adopted  a  ‘BSEC  Action  Plan  on  cooperation  in  science  and  technology’. 
This plan was developed with European help for a 4 years period. It aims at enhancing S&T 
cooperation  among  the  Black  Sea  countries  as  well  as  between  BSEC  and  the  EU.  The 
Commission participates in all S&T Working Group meetings to assist in the implementation 
of the Action Plan. 

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