Ukraine hopes to deepen cooperation with the countries of the Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) in the energy sector. Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister Valeriy Khoroshkovsky announced this at a summit of the heads of state and government of the Organization of Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC), which was held in Istanbul on Tuesday, the press service of the first deputy prime minister reported.
() -"Today, despite the influence of the global economic crisis, the BSEC member states will continue the effective implementation of major regional projects that are of strategic importance, particularly in the energy sector," Khoroshkovsky said.
He noted that Ukraine was optimistic about the prospects for cooperation in the Black Sea region and was open to the most intensive interaction with all its participants, adding that over the 20 years of its existence, the BSEC has become a leading platform for economic cooperation not only in the Black Sea region, but also outside it. "The importance of the Black Sea region as a major transit corridor of energy resources will only grow in future. We look forward to further deepening cooperation in this sector, taking into account the interests of all parties," the first deputy prime minister said. Khoroshkovsky also said that Ukraine was ready to support projects that will give a new impetus to the organization and increase its effectiveness.
"In the near future, we will put forward proposals concerning a regional multilateral agreement on intermodal transportation, particularly using Viking trains," he said. In addition, the first deputy prime minister said that environmental protection must remain a strategic sphere for all countries in the region. "We must focus on solving environmental problems through the effective coordination of actions in this sphere, as well as by introducing the principles of an environmentally responsible economy," Khoroshkovsky said.