POLITICS
Parliament speaker Asadov: Prosperous future of Black Sea region can only be established based on good neighborhood, humanity and tolerance
Istanbul, May 22, AZERTAC
"The prosperous future of the Black Sea region can only be built on the basis of good neighborhood, humanity and tolerance," said speaker of Azerbaijan`s parliament Ogtay Asadov as he addressed the Summit on the 25th anniversary of establishment of the Organization of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) in Istanbul, Turkey.
At the summit, which was chaired by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Asadov extended President Ilham Aliyev's greetings to the event participants. He congratulated the Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on his re-election as Chairman of the Justice and Development Party.
The speaker of the Milli Majlis highlighted Azerbaijan's contributions to the economic development of the Black Sea region, and drew the audience`s attention to the issues undermining the prospects and fruitful activity of the organization.
He gave detailed information about international economic projects initiated by and involving Azerbaijan, saying the country has become an important partner in terms of ensuring energy security for a broader region.
Addressing the event, Greek President Prokopis Pavlopoulos, Moldova's President Igor Dodon, Turkish Prime Minister Binali Yildirim, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev shared their views on the economic opportunities of their countries, the importance of economic projects implemented by them, and the ways of mutually beneficial cooperation.
Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Ashot Hovakimyan attempted to mislead the Summit participants with his false, slanderous remarks, but failed to get any support.
The Summit featured a number of bilateral meetings and press conferences.
The Summit also saw the signing of a declaration on the establishment of relations in accordance with the norms of international law, the importance of mutually beneficial cooperation, and the inviolability of the territorial integrity of countries.
The Black Sea Economic Cooperation came into existence as a unique and promising model of multilateral political and economic initiative with the signing of the Istanbul Summit Declaration and the Bosphorus Statement by the heads of state and government of the countries in the region, on 25 June 1992.
Sabir Shakhtakhti
Special Correspondent