Xenophon Paper 2 pdf - ICBSS

development. Nevertheless, during its fifteen years of activity, the BSEC presented itself
as a viable institution, which initiated many important directions of cooperation and
contributed to the progressive development of the region. The BSEC has managed to
raise its role in regional affairs and transform itself from a regional initiative into a regional
economic organisation.
It should be underlined that during the last fifteen years, specialised structures and
institutions, vital for the proper functioning of the Organisation, have been created:
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The Permanent International Secretariat residing in Istanbul and conducting the
bulk of everyday activities related to the successful functioning of the Organisation;
Several Working Groups encompassing different spheres of interaction like trade
and economy, energy, transport, small and medium size enterprises, tourism,
agriculture, banking and finance, customs, environmental protection, science and
technology, education, healthcare and pharmaceutics, emergency situations,fighting
organised crime, institutional renewal and good governance, communications,
organisational matters and others;
The Black Sea Trade and Development Bank (BSTDB), the main financial pillar of
the Organisation residing in Thessaloniki and aiming at the facilitation of transition
processes in the member states, speeding up the economic development of the
BSEC countries and the region as a whole, financing the regional projects and
programs, expanding the trade and business relations between the member
states, etc. The Bank is successfully functioning and has already realised a number
of important projects in its member states contributing to their economic development.
The International Centre for Black Sea Studies (ICBSS) residing in Athens is the thinktank
of the Organisation. The ICBSS aims at conducting result oriented academic,
scientific and technological research within the BSEC frame. The main objectives
of the ICBSS are to seek ways for the development of international economic
relations in the Black Sea area and to define the priority spheres of multilateral
cooperation. Through scientific research and by organizing fora and seminars, the
ICBSS looks into meaningful cooperation, presents recommendations on solving
urgent problems and issues, facilitates the exchange of views between scientists,
politicians, diplomats, government institutions, entrepreneurs and private sector
representatives. The particular role of the ICBSS in developing BSEC-
EU relations has been highly appreciated and appraised.
The Parliamentary Assembly of the Organisation of the Black Sea Economic
Cooperation (PABSEC) residing in Istanbul is intended at developing relations
among the legislative organs – i.e. the Parliaments of the BSEC member states. The
PABSEC provides legislative support to the Organisation’s activities, by submitting
recommendations on several issues of cooperation.
The Business Council of the Organisation of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation
(BSEC BC) residing in Istanbul, aims at developing relations between the private
56 UNFOLDING THE BLACK SEA ECONOMIC COOPERATION VIEWS FROM THE REGION