Press Releases

The United States and the Organization for Black Sea Economic Cooperation Host Joint Symposium on Environmental Best Practices in Istanbul, September 12-13

Istanbul, September 6, 2007

On September 12-13, 2007, the Organization for Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) and the United States Department of State will host an environmental symposium in Istanbul. Entitled “Environmental Protection for Economic Growth: Best Practices Exchange,” the symposium will bring together government, business and civil society leaders from BSEC’s twelve members (Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkey, Ukraine) and the United States to discuss how environmental protection could boost economic development and broader cooperation in this critical region, home to 350 million people. Representatives of international organizations (the European Union, the UN Development Programme and the Black Sea Commission) will also participate.

The symposium will begin on Wednesday, September 12, at 9:00 a.m. at the headquarters of BSEC’s Permanent International Secretariat (PERMIS), and will conclude on the afternoon of Thursday, September 13. All sessions will be open to the press, but media are encouraged to attend the opening session on Wednesday, September 12, from 9:00-10:00 a.m., featuring keynote remarks by BSEC Secretary General Leonidas Chrysanthopoulos, U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Colleen Graffy, and the Deputy Undersecretary in the Ministry of Environment and Forestry of Turkey Sedat Kadıoğlu, in Turkey’s capacity as the rotating BSEC Chairmanship-in-Office.

Deputy Assistant Secretary Colleen Graffy, leading the U.S. delegation, is an attorney and an expert in international environmental law. The U.S. delegation also includes other representatives from the Department of State and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.

The symposium is made possible with the generous support of the United States – through funding from the Southeastern European Democracy Act, the U.S. Embassy in Ankara, the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul – and the contribution of the BSEC PERMIS. The United States has held observer status at BSEC since October 2005 and is supporting this symposium to foster BSEC’s crucial efforts to discuss regional issues, develop cooperative practices, and find avenues for enhancing economic well-being and stability for the people of this region of great potential. That potential – enhanced prosperity and stability for all – will occur only through real cooperation and mutual respect.

As U.S. Ambassador to Turkey Ross Wilson said, speaking at the Black Sea Economic Summit on June 25, 2007, “BSEC belongs to its members. The United States is only an observer, but not a disinterested one. This region is important, and we regard this organization as a key instrument for responsible nations working together to build better lives for their people. We deeply appreciate the work of Secretary General Chrysanthopoulos to reinvigorate BSEC by focusing on concrete projects and to promote engagement with other regional organizations, especially the European Union. Our work aims to support these goals.”

BSEC headquarters is located at Sakıp Sabancı Caddesi, Müşir Fuad Paşa Yalısı, Eski Tersane 34460 İstanbul. Interested media should contact Mr. Ateş Öner at the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul immediately at (90) 212 335 9213, 0532 325 1548 or onerax@state.gov.