Black Sea Forum for Dialogue and Partnership Summit

Mr. Minister,
Excellencies,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

It is a distinct privilege to be with you today at the Black Sea Forum for Dialogue and Partnership Summit. I take particular pleasure in conveying to its organizers and participants greetings from Secretary-General Mr. Kofi Annan, who extends his best wishes for a successful Forum and for security and prosperity for the countries of the Black Sea region.

Let me begin by thanking the Government of Romania for taking the initiative to organize this Forum as an open dialogue to reflect on the future and identity of the Black Sea region in the contemporary international system. Romania has yet again demonstrated its commitment to regional and international cooperation, as well as its renowned hospitality.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Since ancient times the Black Sea area has been the cradle of different civilizations, the legendary crossroads between Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Today, developments in the Black Sea region remain dynamic. This dynamism is partly reflected in the past decade’s steps to consolidate regional integration through the creation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation pact (BSEC). The Black Sea Forum for Dialogue and Partnership, which we launch today, opens up valuable additional avenues of dialogue in the region and beyond.

The Black Sea region is emerging today as a key transportation corridor for hydrocarbons from Central Asia and the Caspian, which attracts considerable international interest in this age of heightened demand for energy. Yet, the region plays host to several frozen conflicts, also commanding international attention and requiring resolution. These circumstances alone are enough to confer on the region a unique geopolitical focus.

In a world of global progress, but also of global challenges, past concepts of national security are no longer adequate in the face of modern threats posed by terrorism, trans-national criminal networks, human trafficking, humanitarian disasters, climate change, avian flu, HIV/AIDS and the like.

An analysis of the region's opportunities in this environment of new global challenges is needed today more than ever. Rather than waiting to resolve each crisis as it occurs, our efforts should be directed towards early prevention of problems through the strengthening of democratic institutions and human rights protection and through sustainable economic development.

In our interconnected world, the human family will not enjoy security without development, will not enjoy development without security, and will enjoy neither without respect for human rights. And to promote progress in all three areas, we need to reinvigorate our multilateral institutions.

The 2005 World Summit gave a decisive impetus to a much-needed reform and renewal of the United Nations. The creation of the Peace building Commission, the Human Rights Council and agreement on the principle of the responsibility to protect are among the major achievements of the UN reform process, although, Member States could not agree so far on the long-overdue reform of the Security Council and of the Secretariat.

The relationship with regional organizations is a critical part of the UN reform discussion. World leaders supported a stronger relationship between the UN and regional and sub-regional organizations based on Chapter VIII of the UN Charter.

The spirit of this overall approach is fully applicable to your Forum as well, in view of its regional nature and objectives.

Over the last decade, there has been a welcome growth in the partnerships between the United Nations and various regional organizations and groupings of member states. We must focus on the broader social and economic components of peace. The Peace building Commission will provide an excellent arena for regional and sub-regional organizations to contribute to stability, security and development.


Ladies and Gentlemen,

The United Nations has always seen regional dialogue and integration as the bedrock for good governance, democratic, sustainable development and human rights, leading to strengthened political and economic relationships.

The UN is optimistic that the legacy of conflicts and confrontation can be surmounted and peace, security, and stability can be established in the region. For this optimism to be well founded, all countries in the Black Sea Forum must share the same perspective in this regard and act accordingly. The purpose to which your Forum is dedicated – democracy, good governance, sustainable development, protecting the environment and human rights – reflects the deepest aspiration of the United Nations for the world in general and for the Black Sea region in particular. I salute your efforts, and wish every success to your Black Sea Forum for Dialogue and Partnership during this Summit.

Thank you very much.